Selecting replacement females is challenging, especially when you consider that decisions made will impact your operation for many years. As commercial cow-calf producers evaluate the opportunity to expand. Therefore as a farmer, you should review the value of crossbreeding.
The advantages of crossbreeding are well documented and can have a big impact on your net return. Hybrid vigor and breed complementarity are the primary benefits realized from a properly planned crossbreeding program. Hybrid Vigor also known as heterosis is the increase in performance or function above what is expected based on the parents of the offspring. Breed complementarity allows a breeder to capitalize on the strengths of different breeds because no single breed excels at all of the traits that affect profitability.Here are those advantages:
Maternal hybrid vigor
Maternal heterosis is the advantage realized by using a crossbred cow versus a straight-bred cow. Research has shown that crossbred cows can have many advantages, including a higher percentage in calving rate, calf survival rate, efficiency increase, longevity and increase in lifetime productivity. These advantages will be optimized when the breeds you select to create the crossbred cow fit your resources and goals.
Breed Complementarity
This involves evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of potential breeds and selecting those that complement each other. The result should be an animal that has the best traits of those breeds. The traits that are most important to you should be based on the goals of your operation.
Direct hybrid vigor
Direct hybrid vigor is the benefit observed in a crossbred calf. On average, these advantages include high increase in calf survival, weaning weight and post-weaning gain. However, these effects are greatly influenced by breed.
The goal of most commercial cow-calf producers is to increase profitability. Determine your market endpoint and work backward to determine the type of animals that will produce the most profit within the constraints of your resources. Using crossbreeding correctly can have a significant impact on your net return