Delivering a tag-team presentation, Matt Spangler of the University of Nebraska and Bob Weaber of Kansas State University emphasized that crossbreeding systems must be structured. To achieve desired goals, producers must have a plan.
 
Spangler said crossbreeding has long been applied to take advantage of breed complementarity and to blend the strengths of different breeds used. However, no longer do traditional paradigms apply for characterizing British vs. Continental breeds with regard to age at maturity, mature size and carcass characteristics.
 
“In some cases, complementarity has eroded. That doesn’t mean heterosis has eroded,” stated Spangler, explaining that heterosis generates the greatest improvement in lowly heritable traits, such as reproduction and longevity, which respond slowly to genetic selection.
 
“A very real advantage exists in the crossbred cow. Her increased longevity and lifetime production can drive an awful lot of value,” Spangler added, noting how the value of increased productivity of the crossbred cow, to a weaning end point, is estimated to be $150 per cow-calf pair per year.
 
Weaber agreed that the positive effects of dam heterosis on economic measures of production can be significant. He said profit should be the metric for evaluating any breeding system, rather than relying on revenue or premiums as indicators of success.
 
“Mating systems using individual and maternal heterosis often prove to be the economically efficient,” said Weaber. “Economic efficiency is what sustains businesses.”
 
The specialist said cow biological type can be matched a given production environment and phenotypic variation among calves can be minimized can be accomplished through rotational crossbreeding systems or use of composite breeds. 

Troy Smith is a field editor for the Angus Journal.

This article is reprinted with permission from www.BIFconference.com, the Angus Journal's online coverage site of the 2013 Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Annual Meeting.