Optimizing a beef production system using specialized sire and dam lines

Tang, G., Stewart-Smith, J., Plastow, G., Moore, S., Basarab, J., MacNeil, M. D. and Wang, Z. 2011. Optimizing a beef production system using specialized sire and dam lines. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 353–361. Crossbreeding is an effective method for improving the efficiency of production in commercial cow-calf operations. It exploits available heterosis (hybrid vigour) and complementarity between different breeds or populations (lines). Before adopting a crossbreeding system, commercial cattle producers should evaluate available genetic resources and feasible crossbreeding systems, and choose one that is most beneficial for their own environment, resources, and management. This study compared profitability of alternative crossbreeding systems based on Beefbooster beef cattle breeding strains through computer simulation. Biological and economic data were collected from commercial customers of Beefbooster in Montana and western Canada, and breeding records from the database of Beefbooster, Inc. Three maternal ...