DOC HARRIS
Well-known member
There has been a considerable amount of rhetoric and argument over the past several months - sometimes even lurching into heated controversy - regarding the advisability (or inadvisability) of selecting seedstock on the basis of "Single Trait Selection" choices. Some members of this Forum have even gone so far as to sarcastically and sardonically infer that the utilization of "Single Trait Selection" was not a negative connotation, and moreover, was a desirable protocol to be exploited for more rapid changes in "characteristic" genetics. Functional traits and characteristics (how an animal "performs" in its lifetime) with regard to longevity and general increases to it's "worth" embraces the basic understanding of Value of an animal. Assuming that focusing intently on one trait, and ignoring the elimination of concomitant desirable traits that may be affected in the process, is faulty beef selection practices. Concentrating on very low BW EPD's, and very high Milk EPD's - resulting in loss of Skeletal Muscularity and lowered REA measurements is a case in point. Increasing Marbling EPD's MAY result in elevated Yield Grade 4's - is another example!
This paragraph was taken from a current article on handling the calving agendas of first calf heifers. ("CARCASS DATA MAINTAINS PRODUCER FOCUS") The speaker is a breeder who has calved literally thousands and thousands of heifers over the years - give or take 700 every year! I would bow to his rather extensive experience and knowledge. He has "--been there and done that"!
Genetic make-up of individuals is considerably more predictable than following some cockamamie, unproven, hair-brained idea made out of whole cloth!
"We had been concerned about percent choice as we re-stocked the ranch after a bad drought. We selected heifers that had better marbling through ultrasound data," Healy says. "It didn't take long to figure out we had improved marbling and increased the percentage of yield grade 4s. It took several years to realize this and it will take several years to make a change. If we didn't feed our cattle and get data, this could have gone on for a long time. Buyers would have discounted our calves and we wouldn't have known why we couldn't improve."
Experience!
DOC HARRIS
This paragraph was taken from a current article on handling the calving agendas of first calf heifers. ("CARCASS DATA MAINTAINS PRODUCER FOCUS") The speaker is a breeder who has calved literally thousands and thousands of heifers over the years - give or take 700 every year! I would bow to his rather extensive experience and knowledge. He has "--been there and done that"!
Genetic make-up of individuals is considerably more predictable than following some cockamamie, unproven, hair-brained idea made out of whole cloth!
"We had been concerned about percent choice as we re-stocked the ranch after a bad drought. We selected heifers that had better marbling through ultrasound data," Healy says. "It didn't take long to figure out we had improved marbling and increased the percentage of yield grade 4s. It took several years to realize this and it will take several years to make a change. If we didn't feed our cattle and get data, this could have gone on for a long time. Buyers would have discounted our calves and we wouldn't have known why we couldn't improve."
Experience!
DOC HARRIS
