Breed Differences and Taking
Advantage of Complementarity
Larry V. Cundiff
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
ARS-USDA
Clay Center, NE
Brown Bagger IV
Crossbreeding Opportunities for
the US Beef Industry
October 11, 2005
BREED DIFFERENCES
an important genetic resource
Cross breeding of composite populations can be used to
exploit:
•
HETEROSIS
•
COMPLEMENTARITY among breeds optimize
performance levels for important traits and to match
genetic potential with:
Market preferences
Feed resources
Climatic environment
Complementarity
(Cartwright, 1970, J. Anim. Sci. 30:706)
“Serving to fill out or complete, mutually
supplying each others lack” (Webster)
Not Complimentarity
“Expression of esteem or respect, or token
of esteem” (Webster)
COMPLEMENTARITY
is maximized in terminal crossing systems
Cow Herd
Small to moderate size
Adapted to climate
Optimal milk production
for feed resources
Terminal Sire Breed
Rapid and efficient growth
Optimizes carcass composition
and meat quality in
slaughter progeny
Progeny
Maximize high quality lean beef
produced per unit feed consumed
by progeny and cow herd
SIRE BREEDS USED TO PRODUCE FI CROSSES WITH ANGUS
AND HEREFORD DAMS IN THE GERMPLASM EVALUATION
PROGRAM AT MARCa
Cycle I
70-72
Cycle II
73-74
Cycle III Cycle IV
75-76
86-90
Cycle V
92-94
Hereford
Angus
Jersey
S. Devon
Limousin
Simmental
Charolais
Hereford
Angus
Red Poll
Braunvieh
Gelbvieh
Maine Anj.
Chianina
Hereford
Angus
Brahman
Sahiwal
Pinzgauer
Tarentaise
Hereford
Angus
Tuli
Boran
Belg. Blue
Brahman
Piedmontese
Hereford
Angus
Longhorn
Salers
Galloway
Nellore
Shorthorn
Piedmontese
Charolais
Gelbvieh
Pinzgauer
Cycle VI
97-98
Hereford
Angus
Wagyu
Norweg. Red
Sw. Red&Wh.
Friesian
Cycle VII Cycle VIII
99-00
01-02
Hereford
Angus
Red Angus
Limousin
Charolais
Simmental
Gelbvieh
Hereford
Angus
Beefmaster
Brangus
Bonsmara
Romosinuano
a
Sire breeds mated to Angus and Hereford females, Composite MARC III
(1/4 Angus, Hereford, Red Poll and Pinzgauer) cows were also included in
Cycles V, VI, and VII.
BEEF BREED REGISTRATIONS
National Pedigreed Livestock Council, 2003-2004
Breed
Angus
Registrations
281,965
% Breed
40.0 Brahman
Registrations
%
11,000
1.6
10,286
1.5
Hereford
69,316
9.8 Salers
Charolais
55,034
7.8 Santa Gertrudis
7,500
1.1
Limousin
49,600
7.0 Longhorn
7,459
1.1
Simmental
45,000
6.4 Chianina
6,679
.9
Red Angus
42,178
6.0 Braunvieh
4,100
.6
Gelbvieh
31,664
4.5 Corriente
3,211
.5
Shorthorn
22,430
3.2 Tarentaise
1,600
.2
Brangus
22,311
3.2 Highland
1,500
.2
Beefmaster
21,242
3.0 Pinzgauer
664
.1
Maine Anjou
12,544
2.2
707,283
100
TOTAL
BREED GROUP MEANS FOR PREWEANING TRAITS OF CALVES
PRODUCED IN CYCLE VII OF THE GPE PROGRAM
(1999-2000 CALF CROP)
No.
calves
born
Gestation Calvings
length unassist.
days
%
Hereford
Angus
Red Angus
190
189
206
**
284.3
281.6
282.1
.**
95.6
99.6
99.1
.**
1.24
1.01
1.06
ns
**
90.4 96.2
84.0 96.7
84.5 96.7
**
524
533
526
Simmental
Gelbvieh
Limousin
Charolais
201
209
200
199
285.2
284.4
286.2
283.0
97.7
97.8
97.6
92.8
1.10
1.10
1.13
1.40
92.2
88.7
89.5
93.7
96.7
97.1
96.9
97.1
553
534
519
540
1.5
3.4
.20
3.1
3.8
13
Sire breed
of calf
LSD.05
Calv.
diff.
score
Birth
wt.
lb.
Surv.
to wn.
%
200-d
wn. wt.,
lb.
Complementarity
Sire of Calf
During the past 30 yr, Continental breeds have significantly improved
direct calving ease relative to British breeds (9% vs. 3% assisted, in cows
> 4 yr of age), especially Simmental and Gelbvieh.
Calves sired by Continental European breeds, have reduced birth weight
relative to British breeds over the past 30 years (9 vs. 4 lb).
Angus and Red Angus sired calves have relatively light birth weights and
greater calving ease than progeny by other sire breeds.
SIRE BREED MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL
TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES MATED TO PRODUCE THEIR FIRST
CALVES AT 2 YEARS OF AGE (2001 & 2002)
Sire
breed
of female
F test
Hereford
Angus
Red Angus
Simmental
Gelbvieh
Limousin
Charolais
LSD < .05
Calf crop Calving Unassist. Birth
born wnd. diff.
births
wt.
No. %
%
score
%
lb
200-d wt per
calf cow exp
lb
lb
80
84
104
ns
92
83
86
ns
70
76
76
ns
1.9
2.0
2.2
ns
74
72
68
ns
81.5
79.8
78.2
**
413
424
415
ns
292
325
317
98
109
109
97
86
79
85
87
69
68
73
73
1.5
2.2
2.0
2.1
86
64
68
69
79.6
83.6
80.3
81.6
442
447
429
430
309
307
313
315
14
15
.6
19
4.4
10
68
SIRE BREED MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL
TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES MATED TO PRODUCE CALVES
AT 3-5 YEARS OF AGE (2002-2004)
Sire
Breed
of female
F – test
Hereford
Angus
Red Angus
Calf crop Calving Unassist. Birth
No born wnd. diff.
births
wt.
rec.
%
%
score
%
lb
200-d wt per
calf cow exp
lb
lb
180
175
205
ns
96
94
91
ns
93
90
87
ns
1.12
1.01
1.23
ns
97.9
100.0
95.5
ns
91.7
88.5
87.2
**
498
515
503
ns
464
460
441
Simmental
Gelbvieh
214
220
90
89
88
86
1.03
1.07
99.1
98.8
88.2
89.8
535
527
463
452
Limousin
Charolais
219
210
94
94
89
91
1.02
1.18
99.6
97.2
90.2
91.3
513
522
456
475
7
8
.32
5.6
4.9
10
45
LSD < .05
Complementarity
Sire of Dam (Total Maternal)
Differences in calving ease and birth weight of progeny were
not significant, even in 2 yr old first calf heifers.
During the past 30 yr, maternal calving ease has been
improved greatly in Simmental relative to HA & AH (from
6% more to 11% less assistance in 2 yr old heifers).
Complementarity
• Differences in reproduction rate,and calf survival to weaning are not significant.
• Contrasts between British (H and A) and Continental European breeds (S, G, L,
and C) are about 1/4th as great for direct (5.5 vs 22 lb) and 4/10th as great for
maternal (10 vs. 24 lb) breed effects in the current evaluation as they were to 30
years ago.
SIRE BREED MEANS FOR FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS TRAITS
OF F1 STEERS (445 DAYS)
Final
Retail
Marb- USDA
WB
Sire
wt
product
ling
Choice shear
Breed
N
lb
%
lb
sc
%
lb
Hereford
Angus
Red Angus
97
98
93
1322
1365
1333
60.7
59.2
59.1
480
488
474
526
584
590
70
95
93
9.1
8.9
9.2
Simmental
Gelbvieh
Limousin
Charolais
92
90
84
95
1363
1312
1286
1349
63.0
63.8
63.7
63.7
522
509
504
523
528
506
504
517
66
58
57
62
9.5
9.9
9.5
9.6
40
1.3
16
17
0.7
0.6
LSD < .05
USDA QUALITY GRADE X YIELD GRADE
FOR HEREFORD, ANGUS AND RED ANGUS (N = 288)
Quality
grade
USDA Yield grade, %
3
TOTAL
1
2
4
Low Pr
0.0
0.0
1.7
.4
2.1
High Ch
0.0
.7
2.1
1.7
4.5
Av. Ch
0.0
1.7
7.3
2.8
11.8
Low Ch
2.8
18.4
29.5
17.0
67.7
Select
1.7
8.3
2.8
1.0
13.9
Standard
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
TOTAL
4.5
29.2
43.4
22.9
100.0
USDA QUALITY GRADE X YIELD GRADE
FOR STEERS WITH SIMMENTAL, GELBVIEH,
LIMOUSIN, AND CHAROLAIS SIRES (n = 361)
Quality
grade
1
2
3
Low Pr
0.0
0.0
0.0
.3
.3
High Ch
0.0
0.0
.3
0.0
.3
Av. Ch
0.3
1.9
3.1
.3
5.5
Low Ch
8.3
27.2
14.4
1.7
51.5
13.6
18.3
9.1
1.1
42.1
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
.3
22.4
47.4
26.9
3.3
100.0
Select
Standard
TOTAL
USDA Yield Grade, %
4
TOTAL
Complementarity
USDA Quality Grade and USDA Yield
Grade is more precisely optimized in
cattle with 50:50 ratios of Continental to
British inheritance than in cattle with
higher or lower ratios of Continental to
British inheritance.
British (H, A, Ra) and Continental (S, G, L, and C)
sired progeny do not differ significantly
in Efficiency of Gain (live wt gain, lb/Mcal)
to age or weight end points.
0.132
0.13
0.128
0.126
Time, 187d,
LSD<.05 = .008
WT, 750-1300,
LSD<.05 = .009
0.124
0.122
0.12
0.118
0.116
0.114
H
A
Ra
S
G
L
C
Complementarity
Progeny by British sire breeds (H, A, Ra)
were more efficient (lb live wt gain/Mcal)
than those by Continental (S, G, L, C) sire breeds
to fatness endpoints
0.135
0.13
Fat th. .43 in,
LSD<.05 = .007
Fat trim 24.8%,
LSD<.05 = .007
Marb. = SM00,
LSD<.05 = .007
0.125
0.12
0.115
0.11
0.105
H
A
Ra
S
G
L
C
Complementarity
Progeny of Continental European sire breeds (S, G, L, and C)
had more efficient gains (Live wt gain/Mcal and retail
product/Mcal) than progeny of British sire breeds (H, A, and Ra)
to weight of retail product (496 lb retail product) endpoints
0.14
0.12
0.1
RP = 496 lb,
LSD<.05 = .009
lb RP/Mcal,
LSD<.05 = .006
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
H
A
Ra
S
G
L
C
SIRE BREED LEAST SQUARES MEANS FOR GROWTH
AND PUBERTY TRAITS OF HEIFERS IN CYCLE VII OF
THE GPE PROGRAM (1999-2000 CALF CROPs)
Sire breed
of female
F test
Hereford
Angus
Red Angus
Simmental
Gelbvieh
Limousin
Charolais
LSD < .05
400-d
wt.
No.
lb.
18 wt. month
wt.
ht.
lb.
cm.
Frame Age
score at
sc
pub.
Preg.
rate
%
81
85
106
*
841
869
868
*
950
936
953
**
128.4
127.2
126.9
**
5.5
5.3
5.2
**
342
340
339
ns
94
88
91
103
111
109
103
849
807
824
828
961
922
933
950
130.2
128.8
129.9
129.5
5.9
5.6
5.8
5.8
335
322
363
348
90
83
87
91
31
32
1.6
.5
15
13
Sire breed least squares means for height, condition score, and weight of F 1
cows (adjusted for condition score) at 4 years of age
Four-yr-old
Four-yr-old
Four-year-old
Breed
Height
in
Condition
Score
Weight
lb
F test
*
*
*
Hereford
53.1ab
6.47a
1360 a (1348a)
Angus
52.5bc
6.54a
1348 a (1342ab)
Red Angus
52.2c
6.63a
1342 a (1321ab)
Simmental
53.6a
6.40ab
1357 a (1353a)
Gelbvieh
52.9abc
6.01c
1273 b (1282b)
Limousin
53.5a
6.13bc
1320ab (1330ab)
Charolais
53.3ab
6.47a
1344 a (1339ab)
LSD <0.05
0.8
.29
* P< 0.05
54
(51)
Sire breed deviations from Hereford-Angus crosses for height, weight, and
weight adjusted for condition score of F 1 cows a
Breed
Cow
Cow
Cow
Height
in
Weight
lb
Adj. Weight
lb
Cycle
I & II
VII
I & II
VII
I & II
VII
HAx
0.0
0.0
0
0
0
0
Red Angus
---
0.6
--
-12
- --
-24
Simmental
6.3
0.8
+23
-3
29
8
Gelbvieh
6.0
0.1
+23
-87
34
-60
Limousin
5.0
0.7
11
-40
15
-12
Charolais
6.2
0.5
51
-16
53
-1
Cont. avg.
5.9
0.5
27
-36
33
-16
Data for Cycles I and II are averaged over cow ages 2 – 8 yr od age
(Arango et al.,2004). Data for cycle VII are for 4 yr old cows.
a
Complementarity
• Continental and British breeds do not differ in weight or height today,
with one exception, Gelbvieh are significantly lighter.
• Indications are that the reduced cow weights for Gelbvieh are associated
with negative genetic trends for birth weight in compared to slightly
positive or null genetic trends for birth weight in other breeds.
Matching Genetic
Potential to the
Climatic Environment
(Olson et al., 1991)
TRADEOFFS
Bos indicus x Bos taurus crosses excel in
•Weaning weight per cow exposed
•Cow efficiency
but these advantages are tempered by:
•Older age at puberty
•Reduced meat tenderness
Boran
SIRE BREED MEANS FOR FINAL WEIGHT AND
CARCASS TRAITS OF F1 STEERS (447 d)
Sire
breed
No.
Final
wt
lb
Retail product
%
lb
USDA
Choice
%
14-d
Shear
lb
Hereford
Angus
106
101
1270
1278
61.9
62.2
449
454
70.3
84.6
10.6
8.9
Brahman
Boran
Tuli
76
138
158
1199
1116
1110
63.8
62.6
63.4
449
400
405
30.4
47.2
63.8
12.9
11.3
10.1
97
1224
65.0
465
51.4
----
48
1.7
18
22.2
Nellore
LSD < .05
1.3
BREED GROUP MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION
AND MATERNAL TRAITS
Sire
breed
of
female
Age at
puberty,
No. days
2-years of age
3 to 7 years of age
Calf 200-day wt
Calf
200-day wt.
crop per per cow crop per per cow
wnd. calf exposed wnd. calf exposed
%
lb
lb
%
lb
lb
Hereford
Angus
Avg.
152
130
282
355
351
353
73.8
74.4
74.1
419
437
428
300
313
307
88.7
86.3
87.5
474
493
483
422
426
424
Brahman
Original
Current
Avg.
82
208
244
429
423
426
54.3
69.6
62.0
456
476
466
238
319
279
85.9
82.7
83.2
511
521
516
440
430
435
Boran
Tuli
206
244
396
371
83.3
74.6
444
413
357
296
86.2
84.1
488
471
421
397
Nellore
82
406
75.1
463
324
91.6
514
461
13
13.9
18
62
6.7
14
36
LSD < .05
Genotype X Environment
Interaction
Cycle VIII
MARC
LSU
M&F
F
Hereford
X
Angus
X
Beefmaster
X
X
Brangus
X
X
Romosinuano X
X
Bonsmara
X
X
SIRE BREED MEANS FOR FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS TRAITS
OF F1 STEERS (426 DAYS, 2001& 2002 CALF CROPS)
Final
ADG wt
lb/d lb
Retail
product
%
lb
USDA
Marb. Choice
score
%
Sire
Breed
N
Hereford
Angus
102 3.02 1245
103 3.15 1283
61.8 466
60.0 469
515
548
52
71
Brangus
Beefmaster
107 2.99 1256
103 3.10 1296
62.1 481
61.2 482
497
483
42
35
Bonsmara
104 2.80 1183
Romosinuano 102 2.71 1150
63.4 464
64.4 452
487
488
37
37
24
13
LSD < .05
.09
29
1.1
13
Proceedings: Symposium on Tropically Adapted Breeds
Regional Project S-1013
American Society of Animal Science
Southern Section Meeting
February 8, 2005
Little Rock, Arkansas
Productivity of F1 cross females (Cundiff, 2005)
2 –yr olds
Sire breed
Wn rate
%
205-d wt/
Calf, lb
3-7 yr olds
205-d wt/
Wn rate
%
205-d wt/
Calf, lb
205-d wt/
Cow ex, lb
cow ex, lb
Hereford
77 bc
428 e
322 bc
89 a
483 c
430 abc
Angus
73 cd
451 d
325 bc
86 a
503 b
434 abc
Brahman
65 d
473 b
308 c
84 a
527 a
444 abc
Nellore
73 bcd
471 bc
347 bc
91 a
513 ab
467 a
Boran
83 bc
447 bd
371 b
86 a
498 b
429 abc
Brangus
87 bc
451 bcd
399 b
Beefmaster
89 b
457 bcd
409 b
Bonsmara
71 cd
428 de
310 bc
Tuli
75 bc
417 e
311 bc
Romosinuano
82 bc
388 f
321 bc
Conclusions
Complementarity
Sire of Calf
During the past 30 yr, Continental breeds have significantly improved
direct calving ease relative to British breeds (9% vs 3% assisted),
especially Simmental and Gelbvieh.
Calves sired by Continental European breeds, have reduced birth weight
relative to British breeds over the past 30 years (9 vs 4 lb).
Angus and Red Angus sired calves have relatively light birth weights and
greater calving ease than progeny by other sire breeds.
Complementarity
Sire of Dam (Total Maternal)
Differences in calving ease and birth weight of progeny were not
significant, even in 2 yr old first calf heifers.
During the past 30 yr, maternal calving ease has been improved greatly in
Simmental relative to HA & AH (from 6% more to 11% less assistance in
2 yr old heifers).
Complementarity
F1 Females
Gelbvieh and Simmental still reach puberty at
younger ages than Briths breeds or other
Continental European breeds.
Differences in reproduction rate,and calf survival to
weaning are not significant.
Contrasts between British (H and A) and Continental
European breeds (S, G, L, and C) are about 1/4th as
great for direct (5.5 vs 22 lb) and 4/10th as great for
maternal (10 vs. 24 lb) breed effects in the current
evaluation as they were to 30 years ago.
F1 Cow Size
Continental and British breeds do not differ in weight
or height today, with one exception, Gelbvieh are
significantly lighter.
Indications are that the reduced cow weight for Gelbvieh
are associated with negative genetic trends for birth weight
compared to slightly positive or null genetic trends for
birth weight in other breeds.
Complementarity
British (H, A, Ra) and Continental (S, G, L, and C)
sired progeny do not differ significantly in postweaning
Average daily gain or efficiency of live wt gain to age or
weight end points.
Progeny by British sire breeds (H, A, Ra) were
more efficient (lb live wt gain/Mcal) than those
by Continental (S, G, L, C) sire breeds to fatness
Endpoints.
Progeny of Continental European sire breeds (S,
G, L, and C) had more efficient gains (Live wt
gain/Mcal and retail product/Mcal) than progeny of
British sire breeds (H, A, and Ra) to weight of
retail product (496 lb retail product) endpoints.
Complementarity
USDA Quality Grade and USDA Yield
Grade is more precisely optimized in
cattle with 50:50 ratios of Continental to
British inheritance than in cattle with
higher or lower ratios of Continental to
British inheritance.
Matching Genetic
Potential to the
Climatic Environment
• In hotter more humid climates of the gulf
coast cattle with ~ 50% tropical adapted
germplasm may be optimal.
• In more intermediate subtropics, cattle with
~25% tropically adapted germplasm may be
optimal.
COMPLEMENTARITY
is maximized in terminal crossing systems
Cow Herd
Small to moderate size
Adapted to climate
Optimal milk production
for feed resources
Terminal Sire Breed
Rapid and efficient growth
Optimizes carcass composition
and meat quality in
slaughter progeny
Progeny
Maximize high quality lean beef
produced per unit feed consumed
by progeny and cow herd
MARC WEB SITE
www.marc.usda.gov
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