Heterosis: A Tool for the Toolbox
Well-planned crossbreeding systems offer opportunity for rapid improvement in traits low in heritability.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (Feb. 2, 2005) — While not the silver bullet some have made it out to be, heterosis is a valuable tool that can provide an economic benefit to those willing to put some thought into a crossbreeding system. That was the lesson Tom Field, Colorado State University professor of animal science, presented to cattlemen gathered Feb. 2 in San Antonio for the Cattlemen’s College®.
Commercial producers have three tools available for making genetic progress: selection pressure, breed differences and mating systems, he said. If they choose to leave one of those tools in the toolbox, they need to have thought through the economic ramifications of that decision.
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Tom Field, Colorado State University |
One of the reasons producers don’t use crossbreeding systems is that to work, they take planning, Field said. “I can’t give you a package and say use this.” Not all breed crosses work, and what may work in one environment, may not work in another, he explained. Crossbreeding systems have to be tailored to the individual operation.
Field encouraged producers using crossbreeding systems to carefully match strengths and weaknesses of the breeds used, to consider their environment and end product targets, and to avoid the pitfalls that have preempted success of crossbreeding systems in the past, including:
• overuse of breeds that have too much of particular traits such as milk, birth weight, mature cow size and growth;
• use of systems that are too complicated or not implemented in a systematic manner;
• use of poor quality bulls; and
• unavailability of seedstock providers willing to develop the expertise and service orientation to assist their clients in the development of effective crossbreeding systems.
— by Shauna Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Angus Productions Inc.
Click here to view Field's Powerpoint Presentation.
Click here to view Herring's Powerpoint Presentation.
Editor’s Note: This article was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API), which claims copyright to this article. It may not be published or distributed without the express permission of Angus Productions Inc. To request reprint permission and guidelines, contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at (816) 383-5270 or shermel@angusjournal.com.