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lPTexas

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BEEFCATTLE

IMPROVEMENTPROGRAM

TEXAS A&M UN!VERSIlYTEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

). E. Hutchison, Director, College Station, Texas

BET

Hybrid vigor and production records are twoof the most effective tools used to increaseefficiency of production in beef breeding herds.These questions and answers will help producersdevelop more productive breeding and manage­ment programs.

1. Q What is the BET Beef Cattle Improve­ment Program?

A The BET Beef Cattle ImprovementProgram is an organized effort to get alarge percentage of beef cattle producersto use present technology to increasethe efficiency of their production.

2. Q Who should be involved?

A The BET· Beef Cattle Improvementinvolves commercial producers, regis­tered breeders, feed manufacturers anddealers, auction markets, packing plantsand bankers and other lending agencies.

3. Q Why is there an increased emphasison a BET Beef Cattle ImprovementProgram?

A East Texas farmers have shifted from arow crop economy to one of grass andbeef cattle. In 1966 beef cattle pro­duced 31.8 percent of the agriculturalincome in the 40 counties included inthe BET program.

4. Q What new technology could make thegreatest improvement in the East Texasbeef cattle business?

A Cattlemen could improve productionby: (1) Using hybrid vigor to increaseproductivity and efficiency of produc­tion in breeding herds.(2) Using sufficient records to measureefficiency at all levels of productionand as a guide in the selection of breed­ing animals.

Beef Cattle Improvement ProgL. A. MADDOX, JR.

Extension Animal Husbandman

Texas A&M University

5. Q What is hybrid vigor in cattle'!

A Hybrid vigor is the increase in perform­ance of the offspring resulting fromcrossing animals with differences intheir genetic background.

6. Q Can we have hybrid vigor by crosseswithin a breed'!

A Yes. Crosses of inbred lines within abreed can result in a small increase inproductivity.

7. Q How much increase in productivityis expected when British breeds arecrossed?

A Researchers report increases of 4 to 7percent in the number of calves weanedand 3 to 6 percent in weaning weightsof these crossed calves.

8. Q How much increase in productivityis expected when British breeds arecrossed with Brahman?

A No increase in percentage of calvesweaned resulted at the McGregor Sta­tion, but there was a substantial in­crease on the Gulf Coast. One hundredand eighty day weights were increased10 to 15 percent.

9. Q What are the advantages of crossingBritish-Brahman first-cross cows withBritish bulls?

A Results show a 12 percent increase inpercent calves weaned and an increaseof nearly 20 percent in 180-day calfweight on purebred animals.

10. Q Will other breeds or crosses of siresimprove productivity of Brahman-Brit­ish first-cross cows?

warn

A Yes, slightly. Of eight different breedsor crosses of sires, calves sired by Char­olais, Charbray and Red Poll were 3percent above the average calf weightat 180 days.

1I. Q What effect do crossbred sires have onproductivity?

A Crossbred sires usually reduce weaningweights on crossbred cows but increaseweaning weights on purebred cows.

12. Q What are some of the problems inmaintaining a crossbred cow herd?

A The greatest problem is producing orobtaining replacement heifers. Market­ing crossbred calves may require moreskill than marketing purebred calvesto get the true value.

13. Q What effect do crossbreeding beefbreeds have on carcass cutout andquality?

A Difference in cutout and/or quality isnot significant.

14. Q Are production records primarily foruse by registered breeders?

A No. This program is designed for moreefficient production in commercialherds. It is easy for purebred breedersto keep performance and productionrecords. Commercial cattlemen shouldexpect registered breeders to show pro­duction records on cattle offered forsale as breeding cattle.

15. Q Are production records needed in acrossbreeding program?

A Yes. The identification of each calf,its dam, birth date, weaning weight and

selling price or grade is fundamental ina sound crossbreeding program.

16. Q Will production records be as effectivefor farmers and ranchmen producingslaughter calves as for those who sellstocker and feeder calves'!

A Yes. Production records for a slaughtercalf program are no different. Calvesfor slaughter should be graded asslaughter calves, and stocker and feedercalves should be graded as such.

17. Q What production records will I needto keep on F-J (first cross) herds1

A Each cow will need permanent identifi­cation. As calves are dropped theyshould be numbered, and their birthdate and dam's number recorded. Whensold or weaned, they should be weighed,and their adjusted weaning weightshould be credited to the mother.County Extension agents have suitableforms and' will help cattlemen getstarted on keeping production records,on request.

Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Eco­nomics, Texas A&M University and the United States Depart­ment of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtheranceof the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended. and June30, 1914.5M-5-67