The Benefits Of Irish Black Cattle

By Marci Glover


The Irish Black owes its origin to the genetic theory developed by a world renowned geneticist in the 1930s in the Lowa state by the name Dr. Jay Lush. He maintained that quality could persistently be achieved as a result of a concentrated gene pool enhanced through the process of line breeding. The theory was later studied by Maurice Boney, a researcher of Johnstown Co. And developed the Irish black cattle breed in the early 1970s. The researcher was guided by the motive of creating more influence on the homozygous traits, especially in the present beef industry.

The breed has since been close- herd and line bred to facilitate built-in genetic prediction in effort to transmit their inherent quality genetics for production attributes, fertility and superior meat quality to progeny. The cattle were in addition preferred to as having an attractive feeding capacity, that is, efficiently convert forage into high quality beef.

The specific animals in this family are generally black in color and have a moderate body frame and size. However, red colored calves are occasionally given birth. They are also averagely muscled and have sound legs and feet. The breed is rather homozygous, which means that it is good at transmitting traits to the offspring. The bulls stand a high chance of transferring most desired parent traits to the new generation as opposed to bulls from other breeds.

There are numerous reasons why commercial producers should opt for this breed of cattle. To begin with, the animals have an outstanding genetic purity. The breed is well known for a trail of four-decade and line-breeding. Unlike others, it has no blood from other breed in their small gene pool. The animals have been proven to have high a carcass quality. They consistently score exceptionally high for preferable carcass genetics, especially in tenderness and marbling due to their minimized back fat.

The producer engaging in this commercial business stands a chance to reap from their environmental flexibility. The breeders of both Irish blacks and Irish red can today be found in all production environments, ranging from the united states to such far lung areas as Canada, Mississippi Texas and Florida.

The Irish are exceptionally fertile and productive. For example, their bulls have large scrotal circumference with very motile sperm. They score between 92% and 98% normal sperm and have the potential of servicing 70-75 cows per year. They display quite excellent libido and are often referred to as breeding machines.

The females on the other hand reach puberty early. They also cycle numerous times before attaining their first breeding, which is a key factor in conceiving if bred for the first time. Another element in their breed back ability rests in their relatively shorter gestation period. The factor gives the cow ample time to ready themselves specifically for the next season. A short gestation period implies fewer calving problems and fewer uterine infections, all translating to an earlier, more fertile proceeding heat cycle.

The females also calve quite easily as a result of calf birth weight. Black heifer calves poses on average, a birth weight of about 70 pounds. The animals further have a reputation of calving on their own. Their udders are well suspended, with small teats that enable the newly-self born calves to suckle without delay. A good udder is the most vital factor as far as the survival of the calf is concerned.




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