Economics of Calf Production With Foreign Cattle Breed Crosses in the Parkland Region of Western Canada

Smith, Elwin G.; Rahnefeld, G. W.; Klein, K. K.; Lawson, J. E.

doi:10.4141/cjas87-101

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…It is well documented that heterosis increases milk yield by 14.5%, calf wean weight per cow exposed to breeding by 11%-20%, and cow lifetime productivity (12 yr cumulative calf wean weight) by 25%-30% (Gregory et al 1992(Gregory et al , 1994. It is also a very effective approach for matching cow biological type with specific climatic conditions and available grazing, feed, management, and labor resources (Fredeen et al 1981(Fredeen et al , 1982Cundiff et al 1984;Smith et al 1987aSmith et al , 1987bMontano-Bermudez et al 1990;Ferrell 1992, 1994). Thus, crossbreeding has improved the sustainability of beef production with little extra input costs and, one would assume, fully embraced and integrated into modern beef production.…”

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confidence: 99%

Genomic retained heterosis effects on fertility and lifetime productivity in beef heifers

et al. 2018

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This study evaluated the effects of three genomic indicators of heterosis on female fertility and lifetime productivity, and quantified changes over 11 production cycles in a crossbred cow herd. Pedigree-based breed composition (pBC) was determined and used to calculate retained heterozygosity for 412 replacement heifers born from 2004 to 2014 at the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (AB, Canada). Heifers were followed as cows over 1050 mating opportunities, 11 production cycles, and five parities. Heifers and their sires (51) were genotyped and these genotypes were used to predict each animal’s genomic breed composition (gBC) and three genomic indicators of heterosis: (1) retained heterozygosity (RHETg), (2) heterozygous proportion (H), and (3) retained heterosis (RHg). Correlations between pedigree and genomic breed fractions for Angus, Hereford, and Charolais were high (rp = 0.74–0.94; P < 0.001). Genomic indicators of heterosis were highly related (rp = 0.61 for RHETg vs. H; 0.71 for RHg vs. H; 0.96 for RHETg vs. RHg; P < 0.001). Each 10% change in RHETg resulted in 51 ± 20 d longer survival (P = 0.011) in the herd and 35.7 ± 15.2 kg more (P = 0.019) calf wean weight per cow exposed to breeding when summed over five parities. These differences resulted in an extra $161 per heifer in a year. Optimizing heterosis using genomic tools can be very beneficial for the cow herd if applied correctly.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genomic retained heterosis effects on fertility and lifetime productivity in beef heifers

et al. 2018

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Influence of variations in biological and economical parameters on beef production net returns.

Armstrong

Wilton²,

Pfeiffer³

et al. 1990

Journal of Animal Science

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Net returns were defined as a function of the monetary returns (revenue) generated by the outputs less the monetary costs generated by the variable inputs. Outputs included total weaning weights of steers and heifers, weight of cull cows and weight of open heifers. Inputs included both feed and nonfeed costs. The net returns equation was incorporated as the objective function in a linear programming model. By maximizing the objective function, the breeding system that generated the highest net returns could be identified considering certain resource constraints. Breeding systems included purebred Herefords; small rotational dual purpose (SR), utilizing the breeds Angus, Pinzgauer, Gelbvieh and Tarentaise; large rotational (LR), a three-way rotational cross with the breeds Charolais, Simmental and Maine-Anjou; and Angus-sired terminal (AL) utilizing Angus as the sire breed and LR heifers as the maternal breed. Large rotational generally produced the greatest net returns, followed by SR and either AL or HE, depending on specific resource constraints (limited feed supply or herd size), calving rates, management systems, environment, beef to feed price ratios and purchased or farm-produced (inexpensive) feed utilized. Only under the conditions of a herd size constraint and farm-produced feed did AL exceed SR in net returns. Hereford had larger net returns than LR only when the two breeding systems were evaluated in an environment assumed to be reproductively stressful to LR. Ranking of breeding systems were dependent on specific conditions and indicated that one must consider each resource constraint and environment in which cattle are expected to produce before making breeding system recommendations.

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Economics of Calf Production With Foreign Cattle Breed Crosses in the Short-Grass Prairies

Smith¹,

Rahnefeld²,

Lawson³

et al. 1987

Can. J. Anim. Sci.

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Economics of Calf Production With Foreign Cattle Breed Crosses in the Parkland Region of Western Canada

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Genomic retained heterosis effects on fertility and lifetime productivity in beef heifers

Genomic retained heterosis effects on fertility and lifetime productivity in beef heifers

Influence of variations in biological and economical parameters on beef production net returns.

Economics of Calf Production With Foreign Cattle Breed Crosses in the Short-Grass Prairies

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