Genetic Evaluations of Beef Cattle

The breeding program for beef cattle is based on selection on the farm level and successful imports. The most important traits in the breeding program are:

• low birth weight
• good growth traits
• good mothering ability
• good conformation
• easy calvings
• health traits

Genetic evaluations are calculated for birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and mothering ability. In the future also carcass traits will have their own index. Development of genetic evaluations for carcass traits is an international project in which Finland takes part.

The genetic trends of the traits in the breeding program are under constant surveillance. The goal is to keep the birth weights from rising too much in order to prevent calving difficulties. For weaning weights and yearling weights the goal is to enhance the rate of genetic improvement. For mothering ability the goal is to sustain the current level so the cows continue to have the means to produce enough milk for their calves.

The number of progeny is usually rather small in beef cattle. Use of artificial insemination has become more common, but only a few AI bulls get high numbers of progeny in Finland. It is more common to use farm bulls, so the bulls will not have large progeny groups. For this reason the prediction accuracy of the genetic evaluations is often on a mediocre or even low level, which slows down the rate of genetic improvement.

The traits in the breeding program can have different emphases on the farm level. A good breeding plan is an effective way to improve selection. It is also important to remember that a lot of good genetics are brought to the country through imported animals, so artificial insemination is also recommended and vital for the genetic improvement of beef cattle breeds.