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Breeding Traits

Producers endeavour to find the right breeding trait, but also the right balance between different traits, such as calving and carcass weight.

Maternal Traits

EPDs: Maternal Traits
John Evans and David Buchanan, Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University
The effects of maternal traits on offspring must be considered when breeding. Read about ways to determine these effects. (PDF)

Maternal Fertility for Longevity
Beef magazine, Dec. 2000
Selecting for fertile cows can boost cattle productivity.

Striking a Balance
Beef magazine, Feb. 2001
Find that delicate breeding balance between milk production and frame.

Calving Ease

Calving Emergencies in Beef Cattle: Identification and Emergencies
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University
In three different studies, calving difficulty, or dystocia, was the highest veterinary cost to cowcalf operations in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. Dystocia is also the number one cause of calf mortality in the first 96 hours of life. Combat this ailment by developing a sound management program and adopting the use of EPDs.

Preventing Calving Difficulty
Beef magazine, May 2006
Lower the risk of dystocia, or calving difficulty, by using EPDs for calving ease and birth weight.

Carcass Traits

Carcass Traits Primer
Beef magazine, May 2002
Learn how to effectively use EPDs for marbling, rib eye area, and other carcass traits.

Selection for Carcass Traits: New Tools
Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University
EPDs may be useful, but finding the right one can be challenging. The author of this fact sheet offers selection tips.

Ultrasound Carcass for Success
Scott Bothwell, Beef Improvement Ontario
Ultrasound technology has proven a valuable, inexpensive method of sizing up the carcass traits of a potential herd sire.

Growth

Predicting Growth
John Evans and David Buchanan, Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University
Determine and predict the birth, weaning, and other growth traits to breed better cattle. (PDF)

Fertility

The Genetics of Fertility: Heifer Pregnancy
Beef magazine, Nov. 2000
Genetics can have a large effect on fertility and impact your bottom line in a big way.

Feed Efficiency

New Breeding Tool to Improve Feeding Efficiency
Meristem: Land & Science
One of the biggest costs in beef production remains the cost of feed, but simple breeding tools are allowing breeders to select for feeding efficiency.

Feeding Efficiency: Cashing In
Susan Armstrong, Beef Improvement Ontario
Selecting sires with optimal feed conversion traits results in improved efficiencies, lowered costs, and profit boosts.

Breeds

Cattle Breed Database
Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University
The Breeds of Livestock database, maintained by Oklahoma State University, offers info on breeds of livestock, both well-known and obscure.