Characteristics of robust animals for grass-based production systems

Abstract

A characterisation of dairy, beef and sheep breeds and/or strains best suited to profitable/sustainable production within the context of European [semi] intensive pasture-based systems is presented. To deliver optimal performance, pasture must be managed effectively, but pasture-based systems are less energy intensive, are climate sensitive and induce challenges and constraints not normally posed to animals in intensive feeding environments. This emphasises the importance of animal traits associated with robustness and adaptive abilities. A survey of French dairy farmers concluded that a robust cow is an “invisible” cow with a long lifetime. The traits common to both indoor and grazing systems include: efficient converters of feed to human edible products, functionality, being healthy, reproductively fit and exhibiting longevity. Unique to successful grazing is the capability to achieve large intakes of forage to meet productive potential, an ability to adapt to fluctuating feed supply and, in seasonal systems, the ability to conceive and give birth at the appropriate time each year, usually within 365 d. The breed or strain of choice may differ based on local management constraints and objectives; however, general principles apply, and ideally should be guided by a suitable selection index combining all of the economically important traits appropriate to the local conditions and systems.

Organic Milk Production and Dairy Farming Constraints and Prospects under the Laws of the European Union

“…When considering the selection of a breed for an organic system, special attention should be paid to the breed's genetic traits and selection indexes. Due to the nature of organic production, there is the need for animals to be hardy and suitable for grazing on outdoor pasture systems [102]. Currently, most countries do not use a separate performance evaluation system for organic animals.…”

“…However, the use of insemination with semen from non-organic bulls is allowed, and thus these bulls can come from embryo transfer. Delaby et al [102] has shown that the complete exclusion of the linkage of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) to organic production would result in a significantly large loss in genetic gain in organic population.…”

Carcass Characteristics and Beef Quality of Young Grass-Fed Angus x Salers Bovines

“…The descriptive data are presented in Table 1. 9 PUFA/SFA ratio: polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio; 10 ω-6/ω-3 ratio: n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio; 3,5,6,7,8,9,10 data based on 30 animals.…”

“…For instance, the marbling level of “abundant” corresponds to the grade of “prime” in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) beef-grading system. Specific crossbreeding with early-maturing breeds to enhance fat synthesis and deposition is a way to take advantage of grass feeding systems in order to produce meat of good eating quality [ 9 ]. Hardy breeds, such as Salers, are well adapted to the mountainous pasture environment, unlike more specialized beef breeds (i.e., Angus).…”