Optimization of a specialized beef breeding program with a crossbreeding component

B Fuerst-Waltl,A Willam,J Sölkner

doi:10.5194/aab-45-433-2002

B Fuerst-Waltl, A Willam + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-45-433-2002

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract. A complex deterministic approach (ZPLAN) was used to optimize the breeding programs for beef breeds. For the model population 1,000 beef cows and 60,000 dual purpose Simmental cows for crossbreeding were assumed. The percentage of AI was 25% within the beef breed and 93% within the Simmental cows. Domestic AI beef bulls were used for crossbreeding only. The total merit index included beef traits (birth weight, 200-day-weight direct and maternal, 365-day-weight, daily gain, dressing percentage, EUROP grading score) and functional traits (calving ease, stillbirth, fertility and functional longevity). The proportion of foreign proven and domestic AI bulls was varied as well as the number of bulls tested on stations and on contract farms. Annual monetary genetic gain and discounted profit were used to evaluate alternative breeding strategies. Extending the number of bulls tested on stations and establishing performance testing of natural service bulls on contract farms increased the annual monetary genetic gain and the discounted profit, especially when domestic AI bulls were also used in the beef cattle breeding population.

Highlights

A large number of different beef breeds are kept in suckler herds
The results showed that selection for growth traits only may lead to negative genetic gains in functional traits
The annual monetary genetic gain for a beef cattle breed used for crossbreeding calculated in the base situation of this study is quite low, given that the situation was FUERST-WALTL et al.: Optimization of a specialized beef breeding program with a crossbreeding component already optimized compared to the present situation of Austrian beef cattle breeds

Summary

Introduction

A large number of different beef breeds are kept in suckler herds. Some of the breeds are small-framed breeds or gene conservation breeds for extensive grassland management and maintenance. FUERST-WALTL et al.: Optimization of a specialized beef breeding program with a crossbreeding component the breeding programs of medium and large-framed breeds that are used for crossbreeding, simulation studies based on a deterministic approach were carried out In the latter breeds with foreign origin, the proportion of artificial insemination (AI) is about 25% with predominantly foreign proven bulls being used in Austria. This presumably results in smaller genetic gain due to small accuracy of breeding value estimation and insufficient selection intensity Another objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing the proportion of AI as well as the use of domestic bulls for purebreeding on annual monetary genetic gain and discounted profit. The effect of improving performance testing by extending the number of bulls tested on stations and establishing performance testing of natural service bulls on contract farms was analyzed

Methods

Results

Conclusion