Beef Cattle Mating

By Asst Editor Craig R, on July 27th, 2011

The cow’s only job is to produce a calf, you must ensure she is served by a sound, fertile bull which will get her pregnant. About 70% of the cow’s annual feed intake is solely for maintenance, and if she does not produce a calf each year this feed is wasted. Therefore before beginning . . . → Read More: Beef Cattle Mating

Beef, Beef Production   , , , ,   Print this Page

Group Breeding Beef Cattle

By Asst Editor Craig R, on July 27th, 2011

Group breeding involves going a step beyond breeding your own bulls and combining with a group of like-minded farmers to pool the genetic resources of several herds. By enlarging the genetic pool in this way, members of the group will be able to breed higher performing bulls and cows than is possible by relying . . . → Read More: Group Breeding Beef Cattle

Beef, Beef Production   , , ,   Print this Page

Breeding Your Own Beef Bulls

By Asst Editor Craig R, on July 27th, 2011

Closing your herd and using home bred bulls can prove an effective and economic approach to improving herd performance. Selecting top breeding sires for use in the herd is based on exactly the same principles as buying bulls from a stud breeder. Your herd must be large enough to provide the genetic variability and . . . → Read More: Breeding Your Own Beef Bulls

Beef, Beef Production   , , , , ,   Print this Page

Which Breeds To Use for Crossbreeding Beef

By Asst Editor Craig R, on May 5th, 2011

The environments and the resources available to raise beef cattle are as varied as the breeds themselves (Table 1). Notice the tremendous variability in the available breeds. Another factor to consider is the large degree of variability that exists within a breed. Breeding decisions involve individual animals, not breed averages, so selection of the . . . → Read More: Which Breeds To Use for Crossbreeding Beef

Beef, Beef Production   , , , , ,   Print this Page

Crossbreeding and Rotational Systems for Beef Production

By Asst Editor Craig R, on May 5th, 2011

Crossbreeding is an effective method of improving efficiency of production in commercial cow-calf herds. However, commercial cattle producers should study crossbreeding systems and evaluate them before deciding which one is suitable for their environment and resources. Criteria for Evaluating Crossbreeding Systems outlines basic properties of crossbreeding systems to keep in mind when considering a . . . → Read More: Crossbreeding and Rotational Systems for Beef Production

Beef, Beef Production   , , , ,   Print this Page

Beef Herd Production Improvements from Crossbreeding

By Asst Editor Craig R, on May 5th, 2011

Commercial producers can improve productivity and efficiency by understanding and applying genetic principles. Improvement through genetics can be achieved using two different methods:

1. Selection

2. Crossbreeding

In order for commercial producers raising straightbred, single breed cattle to make genetic improvement, they must utilize selection, and provide an optimal environment for those cattle selected . . . → Read More: Beef Herd Production Improvements from Crossbreeding

Beef, Beef Production   , , , ,   Print this Page
 
  Older Entries »