Beef Breed Selection Flashcards
Beef breeds are selected for __ over __
Meat production over milk production
Over __ breeds of beef cattle are found worldwide
250
In the US from 1960 to 1970 there were how many predominant breeds?
15-20
How many predominant beef breeds are there today in the US?
60
What is calf crop percentage?
The number of calves weaned out of the number of cows that were exposed to produce a calf
How is calf crop percentage calculated?
(calved weened/cows exposed)x100
What are the factors to consider when looking at beef breeds?
-Calf crop percentage
-Weaning weight
-Market price
-Annual cow costs
Why did producers start crossbreeding?
To meet the demand for a leaner beef product
What is crossbreeding?
Developing a new breed by breeding two breeds together to gain desirable traits from each
What is the goal of crossbreeding?
For the offspring to have greater performance than either parent
What is heterosis/hybrid vigor?
Performance of crossbred offspring that is greater than the average for the breeds of the parents
What are the 3 groups of beef breeds?
-British Isle
-Indian
-Continental
