Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
12-6-1993
Abstract
If commercial beef producers were to abandon crossbreeding, there would be no need to consider Across Breed EPD's. With only one dominant breed such as the dairy industry's Holstein, sire selection would be greatly simplified. Given the diversity of production environments, management systems and market scenarios within which beef is produced, it seems unlikely that a least-cost producer will approach the business without crossbreeding as one of the tools.
As a matter of fact, Across Breed EPD's are just the most recent chapter in an ongoing evaluation of breeds and bulls. Astute commercial producers have been "going to school" on research results relative to large and important differences between breeds of cattle and between bulls within those breeds for at least 20 years. While this evaluation process has been formalized through research, Across Breed comparisons are as old as the annual ranch "branding".
Comments
Published for Proceedings, The Range Beef Cow Symposium XIII December 6, 7, & 8, 1993, Cheyenne, WY.