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Hereford and Red Angus Heifers Recruited for Genomics Research

The University of Missouri is recruiting 2,500 Hereford heifers and 2,500 Red Angus heifers to participate in a heifer puberty and fertility genomic research project. Heifers should be registered Hereford, registered Red Angus, or commercial Hereford or Red Angus. Hereford x Red Angus crossbred heifers targeted for the Premium Red Baldy Program would also be a good fit for the research project. Producers must be willing to work with a trained veterinarian to collect the following data: ReproductiveTract Scores collected at a pre-breeding exam 30 to 45 days prior to the start of the breeding season. PelvicMeasurements (height and width) collected at the same pre-breeding exam 30 to 45 days prior to the start of the breeding season. Pregnancy Determination Using Ultrasound reporting fetal age in days. Ultrasound will need to occur no later than 90 days after the start of the breeding season. In addition, heifers must have known birth dates and have weights recorded eithe
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Selection and Use of Breeds and Breedtypes: Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course 2015

Joe Paschal
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Calf value is not price per pound. Calf value is the sum of genetic and management decisions and cost. Many factors go into management decisions, including genetics, reproduction, preweaning care, weaning, and marketing.

Since the 1950s, we have been concerned with matching cattle to their environment. Need to match forage availability and stress of the environment to the milking ability, mature size, ability to store energy, stress tolerance, calving ease, and lean to fat ratio of the cow (see Texas Adapted Genetic Strategiesfor Beef Cattle I: An Overview for more information). The first step is to select the breeds you will use in your operation; breed averages can be used to make these decisions (see Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle V:Type and Breed Characteristics and Uses for more information). Your cattle need to have an identity.
Brahman bulls used on British heifers have a higher birth weight; need to be very careful with this.

There are two different breeding systems.

Straightbred:

  • Produces own replacements
  • Uniform
  • Select breed to match marketing and with most desireable traits
  • No hybrid vigor
  • Easy


Crossbred:

  • planned, not an mongrelization!!!
  • Combine breeds to fit marketing situations and environments
  • Some produce own replacements
  • Be careful of uniformity
  • Add or change breeds to correct faults
  • More adaptable
  • Hybrid vigor in crossbred (a cummalative effect)



What does the industry want?
1/4 of less Bos indicus (Brahman)
At least 1/4 or 1/2 British
No more than 1/2 Continental
No more than 1/4 Dairy

How can you get there?
Straightbred British
British x British
Continental-British crosses
Brahman-British x British or Continental
Brahman-Continental x British
Straightbred American
American x American
American x British
American x Continental

Hybrid vigor makes up for a lot of mistakes. Functional cows don't have to be pretty. You might be in love with your cattle or bred, but what about buyers down the line?

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Hereford and Red Angus Heifers Recruited for Genomics Research

The University of Missouri is recruiting 2,500 Hereford heifers and 2,500 Red Angus heifers to participate in a heifer puberty and fertility genomic research project. Heifers should be registered Hereford, registered Red Angus, or commercial Hereford or Red Angus. Hereford x Red Angus crossbred heifers targeted for the Premium Red Baldy Program would also be a good fit for the research project. Producers must be willing to work with a trained veterinarian to collect the following data: ReproductiveTract Scores collected at a pre-breeding exam 30 to 45 days prior to the start of the breeding season. PelvicMeasurements (height and width) collected at the same pre-breeding exam 30 to 45 days prior to the start of the breeding season. Pregnancy Determination Using Ultrasound reporting fetal age in days. Ultrasound will need to occur no later than 90 days after the start of the breeding season. In addition, heifers must have known birth dates and have weights recorded eithe
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