Beef Cattle Genetics And Their Preference To Other Breeds

By Linda Cantrell


It consists of the use of beef cattle that are superior in terms of their genetic make up to take the role of the parents of the next generations. Since the main aim of the farmers and all those individuals who rear these beef cattle is to make profit, Beef Cattle genetics modification is the answer to their quest. It measures the farmer ability to reach their specified set targets. The Angus and the Hereford are examples of beef cattle.

Through the use of genetics, species such as the Belgium Bluebull have resulted. This breed is often defined by the presence of excess muscles in their body and their meat is also of a great amount. They gain weight at a high rate and they usually consist of about 40% more extra muscle compared to other ordinary beef that have not been genetically modified. This is a profit to the farmers since they are able to fetch more money in the market.

This breed is however disadvantageous because it leads to calves having extra-large tongues and it can lead to their death. Great pain during child birth is experienced because of their large sizes hence most end up giving birth by caesarian section which leaves the cow weak and depreciated.

Another method of improving production is by the use of Artificial Insemination (AI). Frozen semen is what is used in this case. The process involves the insertion of frozen semen into the reproductive tract of a cow. Creation of uniformity is the main advantage of this process as the calves are usually of the same age and their genetic make-up is the same. In the market, the species that possess this trait fetch a higher price.

Hybridization is a form of genetics of this species that accelerates production. Here, two of them are chosen for this process. The requirement of these species is that they should have different traits that are desirable. The main aim is to produce an offspring of desired qualities. The resultant is a hybrid that has high quality beef compared to the other breeds that have not been genetically engineer.

Cloning consists of the production of a group of offspring that are genetically similar and the production is from the cells of a particular organism. Through this method, the species with the desired qualities that the farmer needs can be produced from a cells of a particular organism.

Its disadvantages are that the resultant offspring always appear weak, oversize, fall sick frequently and they may end up dead. Due to this factors there are a group of farmers who do not encourage the use of genetic modification to improve production as they see it as tempering with their genes and natural formation.

The majority of these beef cattle keepers use their genetics to gain profit from increased productivity. With today population trend, the population is growing and most people are able to afford meat and to meet this demand genetic engineering of these species should be used but that type that leads to undesirable consequences should be avoided to reduce expenses incurred in case of deaths.




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