My 2 cents is I would stay away from composite bulls, just too many genetic variables to come into play.
Well. - - - Capt. - -I am going to have to "Call" you on this one! I disagree with you 67% to 75% on staying away from composite bulls -
IF the breed selection and the INDIVIDUAL mating selections are accomplished in a genetically correct manner! Composite animals are created to take advantage of breed complimentarity. Breed complimentarity refers to the production of a more desirable offspring, or progeny, by crossing breeds that are
genetically different from each other, BUT have
complimentary attributes. Breed complimentarity is the result of "Mixing and Matching" the mean breeding values of different biological types of breeds. It does NOT mean grabbing a bunch of different breeds of cattle, throwing them in a pasture and telling them to, "GO - and replenish the cattle world!"
Research at the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) showed that heterosis is retained in composites even after SEVERAL generations of breeding. A 3 or 4 breed composite will maintain a 15% advantage in weight weaned per cow exposed over purebreds and will retain 67% or 75% (- -sound familiar ?- -) of total possible heterosis that is exhibited by the first cross progeny or cow. COMMERCIAL producers can use the same composite over several, perhaps many generations with positive results.
HOWEVER, inbreeding should be avoided or hybrid vigor will be lost.
Several breed associations are now predicting EPD values on composite breeds. The Simmental and Gelbvieh Associations are providing genetic analyses on animals containing their breed. Other composite breeders (Such as Lee Leachman of Colorado and Bent Tree Cattle Companies) are hiring individuals to predict EPD values on their composite lines of cattle. The bottom line becomes choosing a composite animal just as important as choosing a purebred animal, and the same scrupulous attention and scrutiny and meticulous considerations must be employed in your breeding programs to be effectively profitable. It is NOT a "Shell Game" where you are guessing where the pea is hiding! It is just as important that you reduce the chance of misjudgement and error as it would be in selecting a Registered bull for a Registered herd!
Lee Leachman is holding a Seminar and Bull Sale on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of March where you can really see Heterosis and Composite Breeding in eye-popping action. The auction is being carried by Superior Auction, and I recommend your perusal for your advanced education! In the selection of Composite seedstock, it is critical that the performance information and EPD numbers are right and then evaluate the structure and disposition. Composites can really help solidify a commercial program, if they are managed properly! And it isn't difficult - just takes knowledge and care as it does with any other aspect of livestock production.
Med - with your location being in Tennessee I would assume that a lack of forage is not a problem such as might be encountered in West Texas or any current drought-stricken area, therefore my suggestion for you would be to survey the availability of composites, as mentioned above, and concentrate on the same traits and characteristics as you would if you were seeking a Registered bull for your future replacements. Homozygous Polled, of course, Homozygous Black if this is what your particular market demands, a 'comfortable' 50-50 mix of British and Continental breeding incorporating (for your Purebred Angus cows ) any of Gelbvieh, Simmental, Red Angus(Down the line from right now), Hereford with the up-to-date EPD's many are displaying today, and optimal phenotype to correct or protect your current cow herd's phenotypic balance. I would hesitate to incorporate Charolais, AT THIS TIME, inasmuch as their genome complimentarity has not been , in my opinion, satisfactorily researched to date to make any definitive statements regarding that breed's effectiveness as being a positive entity in composite breed blending. I think that, in the near future, Charolais will be well-accepted in the composite community, everything else being equal. Time will tell.
One last comment. Developing Composite breeding lines is NOT a passing fad! It is an exciting advancement in Beef Cattle breeding, just as the same principles were applied in the improvement in Poultry and Swine several years ago. As I have stated in many of these posts in the past - the success of ANY beef cattle project is dependent upon the correct factors being applied in it's development - scrupulous attention being given to the TOOLS of Phenotype, EPD's,
BALANCE of selection for reproduction, growth and carcass traits and care in dove-tailing, if you will, with the producer's own present cow herd and their phenotypic and genotypic composition. Breeding composites is NOT taking a purebred bull of questionable traits and breeding him to mixed-blood mongrel cows and then expecting world-shaking results with the F1 progeny!
Read - study - and LEARN! That is the answer to most problems. Good luck to you Med. You can expect some exciting results in the future!! Composite breeding is a whole new world!
DOC HARRIS