Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New profile posts
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Forums
Cattle Boards
Breeds Board
Too gutty?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Help Support CattleToday:
Message
<blockquote data-quote="DOC HARRIS" data-source="post: 838550" data-attributes="member: 1683"><p>FLS-</p><p></p><p>Your points here are well taken. It is obvious that you understnad the basic principles of Genetic Inheritance factors. I empathize with you, for from my past teaching experiences, regarding 'changing' already made-up minds and opinions, it is similar to banging you head against a wall! :bang: :bang: I question the concept, however, that larger frame cows automatically result in more <strong><em>profit!.</em></strong> The problem in attempting to clarify one's meaning in its direct state hits a wall of opposition because of the listeners reluctance to comprehend the <strong><em>message!</em></strong> So many times they wish to <strong>argue</strong> rather than to admit that there may be a better way than that to which they have been accustomed all of their lives. <strong>"Repetition"</strong> seems to be the best teacher! Hang in there with your family, and continue to stress the facts that "Smaller Cows are more PROFITABLE" and that "Multiple Trait Selection" protocols can prevent time-consuming breeding errors!</p><p></p><p>By consistently focusing on ONE characteristic or trait, regardless of what that trait is, will sooner or later overwhelm OTHER traits which are <em>genetically</em> critical in maintaining BALANCE with optimal breeding protocols. Here is just one example of what I mean: A Montana State University study found that the following traits were moderately to highly heritable: muscle, frame, body capacity, femininity, rear leg set, foot and pastern angle, udder depth and attachment, and teat size. These results indicate it is possible to change these traits through accurate selection and culling strategies. They also found that intense selection for femininity (and <strong>high MILK epd's)</strong> may result in cows that <strong>lack</strong> muscle and capacity. Long-term selection for low birth weight may <em>decrease</em> muscling and <em>increase</em> calving difficulty in replacement heifers due to reduced pelvic area.</p><p></p><p>Some of these antagonistic relationships are not strong, BUT <strong>intense and persistent</strong> selection over time for certain traits could certainly have a negative effect on other economically important traits, such as size (<strong>too large</strong>), and feed efficiency! Feed efficiency is highly heritable. By utilizing <em>balanced</em> EPD's and DNA technology, we can reduce the amount of feed required by steers in the feedlot, and by the cows producing those steers. Leading feed efficiency genetics will save <strong>$$$$</strong> per head on yearling fed cattle, and up to $50 or more per cow per year! With feed costs as high as they are now, and NOT going to come down in the foreseeable future, <strong><em><u>THESE</u></em></strong> are justifiable reasons for understanding "Multiple Trait Selection" protocols, keeping an open mind, and refusing to be BARN BLIND regarding one's own management practices! :hide: </p><p></p><p>FLS - you mentioned that "...with luck his daughters wouldn't make too big of a cow...". We make our OWN luck, and by diligently attempting to follow the above management and breeding protocols - we can get LUCKIER AND LUCKIER!</p><p></p><p>DOC HARRIS</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DOC HARRIS, post: 838550, member: 1683"] FLS- Your points here are well taken. It is obvious that you understnad the basic principles of Genetic Inheritance factors. I empathize with you, for from my past teaching experiences, regarding 'changing' already made-up minds and opinions, it is similar to banging you head against a wall! :bang: :bang: I question the concept, however, that larger frame cows automatically result in more [b][i]profit!.[/i][/b] The problem in attempting to clarify one's meaning in its direct state hits a wall of opposition because of the listeners reluctance to comprehend the [b][i]message![/i][/b] So many times they wish to [b]argue[/b] rather than to admit that there may be a better way than that to which they have been accustomed all of their lives. [b]"Repetition"[/b] seems to be the best teacher! Hang in there with your family, and continue to stress the facts that "Smaller Cows are more PROFITABLE" and that "Multiple Trait Selection" protocols can prevent time-consuming breeding errors! By consistently focusing on ONE characteristic or trait, regardless of what that trait is, will sooner or later overwhelm OTHER traits which are [i]genetically[/i] critical in maintaining BALANCE with optimal breeding protocols. Here is just one example of what I mean: A Montana State University study found that the following traits were moderately to highly heritable: muscle, frame, body capacity, femininity, rear leg set, foot and pastern angle, udder depth and attachment, and teat size. These results indicate it is possible to change these traits through accurate selection and culling strategies. They also found that intense selection for femininity (and [b]high MILK epd's)[/b] may result in cows that [b]lack[/b] muscle and capacity. Long-term selection for low birth weight may [i]decrease[/i] muscling and [i]increase[/i] calving difficulty in replacement heifers due to reduced pelvic area. Some of these antagonistic relationships are not strong, BUT [b]intense and persistent[/b] selection over time for certain traits could certainly have a negative effect on other economically important traits, such as size ([b]too large[/b]), and feed efficiency! Feed efficiency is highly heritable. By utilizing [i]balanced[/i] EPD's and DNA technology, we can reduce the amount of feed required by steers in the feedlot, and by the cows producing those steers. Leading feed efficiency genetics will save [b]$$$$[/b] per head on yearling fed cattle, and up to $50 or more per cow per year! With feed costs as high as they are now, and NOT going to come down in the foreseeable future, [b][i][u]THESE[/u][/i][/b] are justifiable reasons for understanding "Multiple Trait Selection" protocols, keeping an open mind, and refusing to be BARN BLIND regarding one's own management practices! :hide: FLS - you mentioned that "...with luck his daughters wouldn't make too big of a cow...". We make our OWN luck, and by diligently attempting to follow the above management and breeding protocols - we can get LUCKIER AND LUCKIER! DOC HARRIS [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Cattle Boards
Breeds Board
Too gutty?
Top