Keith Vander Velde UW Extension BEEF CATTLE GENETICS Keith Vander Velde UW Extension 11/13/2018

Terminology Terminology EPD’s-------- Expected Progeny Differences 11/13/2018

Terminology Terminology EPD’s-------- Expected Progeny Differences Differences in production of the progeny for a given trait between two individuals in the breed 11/13/2018

Terminology Terminology EPD’s-------- Expected Progeny Differences Differences in production of the progeny for a given trait between two individuals in the breed Best method available to identify differences in bulls and cows 11/13/2018

Terminology Accuracy--tells how reliable the EPD is for the individual trait 11/13/2018

Terminology Accuracy--Tells how reliable the EPD is for the individual trait Range from .01(lowest)------->.99(Highest and least likely to change) 11/13/2018

EXAMPLE Need a bull for breeding our heifers 11/13/2018

EXAMPLE Need a bull for breeding our heifers Want to keep birth weights light 11/13/2018

EXAMPLE Sire A--Actual Birth Weight-75 lbs. Birth Weight EPD- +4 Sire B- Actual Birth Weight-88 lbs. Birth Weight EPD-+1 11/13/2018

EXAMPLE We would expect the calves from Sire B to weigh 3 lbs. less at birth Sire A was out of a first calf heifer and Sire B was out of a cow 11/13/2018

LESSON EPD’s include all the progeny data on 3 generations of relatives and include individual performance A single weight measure is a poor indicator of future production 11/13/2018

EPD’s Calving ease- Direct and Maternal Weaning Weight Yearling Weight Birth Weight Maternal Milk Maternal Weaning Weight Carcass Traits Scrotal Circumference Longevity 11/13/2018

Methods of Comparing Bull in Different Breeds Across Breed EPD’s Use MARC herd to compare breeds and track genetic trends Tables Available for adjusting to a common base Simmental and Gelbvieh make to adjustment in Sire Analysis 11/13/2018

Across Breed EPD’s Allow us to compare Hereford to Angus--4 lbs difference in Birth Weights 11/13/2018

Use of Crossbreeding One free lunch out there for the agricultural industry 11/13/2018

CROSSBREEDING Already used by the poultry, swine, wheat, seed corn and soybean industries 11/13/2018

CROSSBREEDING Already used by the poultry, swine, wheat, seed corn and soybean industries Allows producers to combine different breeds to get desired outcome, we refer to this as complementation Allows us to maximize heterosis 11/13/2018

CROSSBREEDING Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds 11/13/2018

CROSSBREEDING Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds Breed A averages 450 lbs weaning weight Breed B averages 500 lbs weaning weight 11/13/2018

CROSSBREEDING Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds Breed A = 450 lbs weaning weight Breed B = 500 lbs weaning weight We would expect the progeny of the mating to weight 475 lbs 11/13/2018

CROSSBREEDING Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds Breed A = 450 lbs weaning weight Breed B = 500 lbs weaning weight We would expect the progeny of the mating to weight 475 lbs With heterosis the calves = 480 lbs. 11/13/2018

HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs of calf weight 11/13/2018

HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs of calf weight Study beginning in 1957 thru present at Fort Robinson, Neb 11/13/2018

HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs of calf weight Study beginning in 1957 thru present at Fort Robinson, Neb Breeds used Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn 11/13/2018

HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs wn wt Study beginning in 1957 thru present at Fort Robinson, Neb Breeds = Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn Straightbred Sire on Straightbred cow of other breed compared to straight calves showed an increase of 29 lbs or 8.9% increase 11/13/2018

HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs wn wt Breeds = Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn Straightbred Sire on Straightbred cow of other breed compared to straight calves showed an increase of 29 lbs or 8.9% increase When crossbred dams were bred to 3rd breed sire calf weight increased 80 lbs over the straight breds and 51lbs. Over the F-l crossbred calves 11/13/2018

Crossbred vs Straightbred Cows 77 crossbred cows will wean same total weight of calves as 100 straightbreds 11/13/2018

Crossbreds vs Straightbreds 77 crossbred cows will wean same total weight of calves as 100 straightbreds Due to: improved reproductive performance faster growth rate, better milk production, improved survival rate increased longevity 11/13/2018

Crossbreeding Trail Results 11/13/2018

Heterosis 2 bred cross-67% 3 bred cross-87% Terminal Sire -100% 11/13/2018

Heterosis Use of Composites 11/13/2018

Heterosis Use of composites Animals of two or more breed Combinations 11/13/2018

Heterosis Composites useful in reducing pastures and adding uniformity of size and color 11/13/2018

Heterosis Maintain heterosis Formula= 1-{ (%breed) 2 + (%breed)2} 11/13/2018

Crossbreeding systems Require a plan Many possible options No one right program We can design one for you 11/13/2018

Thank you for you participation Beef Cattle Genetics Thank you for you participation 11/13/2018