DOC HARRIS
Well-known member
I, along with Caustic Burno, have been perusing this subject of "Which is Best" and Why for several weeks, and I believe we need to start "Singing From The Same Page" and begin to understand the same notes and words of the song.
GLOSSARY:
1 - PUREBRED - Cattle (or any animal species) which are considered PURE or straight in their Genetic background for six (6) generations or, preferably, more.
2 - PEDIGREE - A recorded known line of descent - a list of ancestors.
3 - REGISTERED - Animals (Cattle) which are Purebred (see above) and whose pedigrees (see above) are recorded in an official Breed Registry Book ( and usually administered by a Breed Association).
4- REGISTERED BREEDER - A cattle-raiser who breeds and raises for profit (hopefully!) cattle of a specific and particular Breed and whose seedstock, male and female, are Purebred animals - WITHIN THAT BREED!
5- CROSS-BRED - Animals who are the result of breeding a PUREBRED male or female of one breed to a PUREBRED member of the opposite sex, male or female, of another breed.
6 - BEEF BREED - A BREED of cattle whose primary purpose or reason for existence is to produce MEAT for human consumption.
7 - MILK BREED - A BREED of cattle whose primary purpose for reason for existence is to produce MILK products for human consumption.
8 - HETEROSIS - A phenomenon resulting from hybridization (cross breeding - see above) in which the resulting offspring display more desirable characteristics than the parents, as exemplified by, case in point, authentic EPD's (Expected Progeny Differences) utilized in the Beef Industry and frequently referred to as "Hybrid Vigor, Strength or Vitality.
As with many discussions or debates, if you will, "Semantics" rears its head and becomes a problem of misunderstanding terminology. The current prevailing opinion of most knowledgable and experienced beef breeders and scholars is that CROSSBREEDING, using two or more PURE or HYBRIDIZED BREEDS (important component here), over time, results in a more desirable and profitable Beef Product for the producer.
I consider several of the contributors to the Beef Board correct in their assessments and conclusions of "Which is Best", however it depends entirely upon which characteristics one is considering - calving ease, weaning weight, mothering abilitie(s), yearling weight, marbling, rib-eye area, % of retail product, keeping the offspring for herd replacements, or terminal. After all when it is ALL said and done - - -"IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER"!
I welcome your comments. DOC HARRIS [/b]
GLOSSARY:
1 - PUREBRED - Cattle (or any animal species) which are considered PURE or straight in their Genetic background for six (6) generations or, preferably, more.
2 - PEDIGREE - A recorded known line of descent - a list of ancestors.
3 - REGISTERED - Animals (Cattle) which are Purebred (see above) and whose pedigrees (see above) are recorded in an official Breed Registry Book ( and usually administered by a Breed Association).
4- REGISTERED BREEDER - A cattle-raiser who breeds and raises for profit (hopefully!) cattle of a specific and particular Breed and whose seedstock, male and female, are Purebred animals - WITHIN THAT BREED!
5- CROSS-BRED - Animals who are the result of breeding a PUREBRED male or female of one breed to a PUREBRED member of the opposite sex, male or female, of another breed.
6 - BEEF BREED - A BREED of cattle whose primary purpose or reason for existence is to produce MEAT for human consumption.
7 - MILK BREED - A BREED of cattle whose primary purpose for reason for existence is to produce MILK products for human consumption.
8 - HETEROSIS - A phenomenon resulting from hybridization (cross breeding - see above) in which the resulting offspring display more desirable characteristics than the parents, as exemplified by, case in point, authentic EPD's (Expected Progeny Differences) utilized in the Beef Industry and frequently referred to as "Hybrid Vigor, Strength or Vitality.
As with many discussions or debates, if you will, "Semantics" rears its head and becomes a problem of misunderstanding terminology. The current prevailing opinion of most knowledgable and experienced beef breeders and scholars is that CROSSBREEDING, using two or more PURE or HYBRIDIZED BREEDS (important component here), over time, results in a more desirable and profitable Beef Product for the producer.
I consider several of the contributors to the Beef Board correct in their assessments and conclusions of "Which is Best", however it depends entirely upon which characteristics one is considering - calving ease, weaning weight, mothering abilitie(s), yearling weight, marbling, rib-eye area, % of retail product, keeping the offspring for herd replacements, or terminal. After all when it is ALL said and done - - -"IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER"!
I welcome your comments. DOC HARRIS [/b]
