Page 20 - MWC 2-23-2023s

Net Versus Growth Heterosis has more value than ever.
The Midwest Cattleman · February 23, 2023 · P20

Human nature often leads underscore and mirror the (lifetime), cow longevity and by Shane Bedwell
us to focus on outcomes in economic advantages of direct cumulative weaning weight erotic impact.
terms of the most, the highest and maternal heterosis docu- (lifetime). Most recently, researchers
or the fastest — the maximum mented by decades of indus- Advantages associated at Oklahoma State University
— while discounting or ignor- try research. with heterosis can be mag- (OSU) conducted a multi-year
ing the relative cost of inputs. Direct heterosis in- nified based on the inherent study of pasture cow feed ef-
Consider the extraordinary creases performance of the strengths of the breed com- ficiency (Table 1). Compared
gains U.S. cattle producers crossbred calf relative to the ponents in the crossbreeding to straightbred black Angus
have made in terms of aver- average of the straightbred plan, as well as the comple- cows, Hereford-sired black
age carcass quality over the parental breeds, according mentarity between the breeds. baldy females consumed 2
past two decades. While it to the U.S. Meat Animal Re- Hereford heterosis has pounds less modest-quality
has been a boon for consum- search Center (USMARC). more punch pasture forage per day. That’s
er beef demand, various data •Survival to weaning (+1.9%) Hereford genetics are often about 725 pounds less per
suggests part of the cost has •Weaning weight (+3.9%) favored in crossbreeding for a cow over the course of a year
been reproduction and pro- •Post-weaning gain (+2.6%) couple of real-world reasons. — about an acre less per year
duction efficiency. Key mea- •Yearling weight (+3.8%) First are the inherent of the pasture in the study.
sures of ranch profitability, •Feed conversion (+2.2%) Hereford strengths of docili- Plus, the black baldy females
like pounds of calf weaned per Maternal heterosis in- ty, fertility, feed efficiency in maintained a 0.5 higher body
cow exposed, have remained creases performance of the the feedlot and on pasture, condition score throughout
static or declined. Logic says crossbred cow relative to the longevity, and production ef- the research. These advantag-
part of the reason is increased average of straightbred fe- ficiency. Another reason Her- es translate to at least $50 of
straightbreeding focused on males of the parental breeds. eford genetics are common- continued on page 30
the end product and decreased •Calving rate (+3.7%) ly favored is the
heterosis from crossbreeding. •Weaning weight (+3.8%) fact that they are
Heterosis increases output at •Longevity (+38%) the least relat-
less cost, especially when it •Number of calves (+17%) ed to any other
comes to the least heritable •Cumulative weaning Bos Taurus breed
traits, such as fertility. weight (+25.3%) — documented
Various research projects The value of maternal het- by USMARC —
conducted by the American erosis is most visible in the which means they
Hereford Association (AHA) increased number of calves offer more het-