Re: AI & Genetic Diversity
Postby 4CTophand on Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:33 pm
SRBeef wrote:The recent issue of Hereford World had an article where they said almost 50% of the new Hereford registrations were from AI rather than natural service. I assume there is a similar percentage in other breeds?
If, and I'm not sure of the numbers, these AI calves are mostly from a relatively limited number of "popular" AI bulls, wouldn't that limit the genetic diversity over time? Doesn't this increase the possibility of more curly calf type situations?
Doesn't natural service encourage use of a larger number of bulls and maintain a wider genetic base? Doesn't natural service also maintain a market for more bulls and breeders?
Just a newcomer's theoretical question.
If, and I'm not sure of the numbers, these AI calves are mostly from a relatively limited number of "popular" AI bulls, wouldn't that limit the genetic diversity over time?
From a PB Angus and Simmental Breeder:
It is true that more than 50% of the calves born in these 2 breeds are AI sired, and by doing so--
1. PB breeders and commercial operations alike are able to utilize Bulls with outstanding traits.
2. Breeder services have a lot of data behind AI sires, which provides valuable information of those quality traits.
3. AI sired calves bring more $$ (because of that information on traits)
4. Cost of AI vs keeping bulls available for pasture breeding (AI is cheaper) (may be more involved --- your time)
5. A smaller window of calving can be accomplished using AI and calves are more uniform in size and weight, which increases profits
6. Limiting some genetics is a good thing -- like bad calving ease, poor structure, sub-par fertility, horns.
7. And I haven't ever had to go out and either bring in my AI bulls, vaccinated them, worm them, trim feet. show them or feed them
You must remember the PB breeders scope is much different than the commercial producer because "we" are trying to raise breeding stock that the industry wants--- for the commercial cattle operator/ stocker/ feedyard/ packer; and 90% of the PB bulls go to commercial operators.
Doesn't this increase the possibility of more curly calf type situations?
As far as genetic Fubars like -- CCS. CCS has been isolated in the Angus breed with only a few bloodlines being affected... we are lucky that we have dedicated people working for us in our breed associations and universities that are on the ball. Not everyone does, for instance: Other Fubars like -- PHA and TH in Maine Anjou is still ongoing and hurts their popularity immensely.Traced back to a Bull born in 1970 and work began to isolate its' occurence didnt start until 2006 in M.A. -- they have a long long long way to go.
Doesn't natural service encourage use of a larger number of bulls and maintain a wider genetic base?
Natural service will always be a part of our cattle industry as some ranchers just don't have the time or want to invest in the time to use AI, but many do... I don't know about you, but I am willing to forgo some of the traits out there that are not getting it done.
Doesn't natural service also maintain a market for more bulls and breeders?
Sure it does, but I believe there are a lot of breeds out there that don't even need to be here. Some breeds just don't have the genetic traits that make the most $$-- why have them?
I am hoping some day cattle producers will be held responsible for not only quantity pounds of beef produced, but also and most importantly quality pounds produced. Aren't we in the BEEF business? Doesn't Quality count? If we adhered to what we really should believe in, which is Quality of our Product we wouldn't need over 100 breeds of cattle taking up valuable space in this country. LOL
There are over 100 different breeds in the US alone... from Dexter to Wagyu. This is proof that the US cattle raiser will not ever work together and with this lack of cooperation, you lose in this society. Some just need to go.
You know what having 100 breeds of cattle in the US reminds me of?
Newt Gingrich said it best prior to the Democratic National Convention (DNC)>>> He said "the DNC was the largest conglomeration of idiots, liars and fools ever assembled under one roof".
We would have the same thing be said of us, as cattle raisers, if we ever were brought all together to discuss the need for 100 different cattle breeds in the US.
So now you think I am off topic?
You are asking about Diversity--- we have PLENTY NOW---
and what do we get from all this diversity??? --
the most important thing you won't think of>>>>>> NO Uniformity of Product Produced!
Just think what would happen if every time Roger Clemmons picked up a baseball it was a little smaller or little larger to pitch it to A-Rod? ----- he would be in the Hall of Shame for Most Wild Pitches ever thrown in a career!
Postby 4CTophand on Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:33 pm
SRBeef wrote:The recent issue of Hereford World had an article where they said almost 50% of the new Hereford registrations were from AI rather than natural service. I assume there is a similar percentage in other breeds?
If, and I'm not sure of the numbers, these AI calves are mostly from a relatively limited number of "popular" AI bulls, wouldn't that limit the genetic diversity over time? Doesn't this increase the possibility of more curly calf type situations?
Doesn't natural service encourage use of a larger number of bulls and maintain a wider genetic base? Doesn't natural service also maintain a market for more bulls and breeders?
Just a newcomer's theoretical question.
If, and I'm not sure of the numbers, these AI calves are mostly from a relatively limited number of "popular" AI bulls, wouldn't that limit the genetic diversity over time?
From a PB Angus and Simmental Breeder:
It is true that more than 50% of the calves born in these 2 breeds are AI sired, and by doing so--
1. PB breeders and commercial operations alike are able to utilize Bulls with outstanding traits.
2. Breeder services have a lot of data behind AI sires, which provides valuable information of those quality traits.
3. AI sired calves bring more $$ (because of that information on traits)
4. Cost of AI vs keeping bulls available for pasture breeding (AI is cheaper) (may be more involved --- your time)
5. A smaller window of calving can be accomplished using AI and calves are more uniform in size and weight, which increases profits
6. Limiting some genetics is a good thing -- like bad calving ease, poor structure, sub-par fertility, horns.
7. And I haven't ever had to go out and either bring in my AI bulls, vaccinated them, worm them, trim feet. show them or feed them
You must remember the PB breeders scope is much different than the commercial producer because "we" are trying to raise breeding stock that the industry wants--- for the commercial cattle operator/ stocker/ feedyard/ packer; and 90% of the PB bulls go to commercial operators.
Doesn't this increase the possibility of more curly calf type situations?
As far as genetic Fubars like -- CCS. CCS has been isolated in the Angus breed with only a few bloodlines being affected... we are lucky that we have dedicated people working for us in our breed associations and universities that are on the ball. Not everyone does, for instance: Other Fubars like -- PHA and TH in Maine Anjou is still ongoing and hurts their popularity immensely.Traced back to a Bull born in 1970 and work began to isolate its' occurence didnt start until 2006 in M.A. -- they have a long long long way to go.
Doesn't natural service encourage use of a larger number of bulls and maintain a wider genetic base?
Natural service will always be a part of our cattle industry as some ranchers just don't have the time or want to invest in the time to use AI, but many do... I don't know about you, but I am willing to forgo some of the traits out there that are not getting it done.
Doesn't natural service also maintain a market for more bulls and breeders?
Sure it does, but I believe there are a lot of breeds out there that don't even need to be here. Some breeds just don't have the genetic traits that make the most $$-- why have them?
I am hoping some day cattle producers will be held responsible for not only quantity pounds of beef produced, but also and most importantly quality pounds produced. Aren't we in the BEEF business? Doesn't Quality count? If we adhered to what we really should believe in, which is Quality of our Product we wouldn't need over 100 breeds of cattle taking up valuable space in this country. LOL
There are over 100 different breeds in the US alone... from Dexter to Wagyu. This is proof that the US cattle raiser will not ever work together and with this lack of cooperation, you lose in this society. Some just need to go.
You know what having 100 breeds of cattle in the US reminds me of?
Newt Gingrich said it best prior to the Democratic National Convention (DNC)>>> He said "the DNC was the largest conglomeration of idiots, liars and fools ever assembled under one roof".
We would have the same thing be said of us, as cattle raisers, if we ever were brought all together to discuss the need for 100 different cattle breeds in the US.
So now you think I am off topic?
You are asking about Diversity--- we have PLENTY NOW---
and what do we get from all this diversity??? --
the most important thing you won't think of>>>>>> NO Uniformity of Product Produced!
Just think what would happen if every time Roger Clemmons picked up a baseball it was a little smaller or little larger to pitch it to A-Rod? ----- he would be in the Hall of Shame for Most Wild Pitches ever thrown in a career!
