First we must keep the maternal influence in each herd for future production. This trait has been overlooked through certain genetic selection criteria. Annual culling of the lower 5 to 10 percent of the cow herd and replacing them with quality replacement females is very beneficial. These replacements may either be purchased as safe in calf replacements or retained from the top portion of your heifer crop and developed through a quality development program. Either of these will change the production potential of your cow herd in a short period of time.
Muscle is a very important component of the physiological makeup of the beef animal.
There is a large variation in the amount of muscling between individual animals. This genetic trait must be selected for and definitely be a part of your selection priorities. Keeping this trait in mind when we make our selection and using the Expected Progeny Difference information will definitely have a positive influence in future quality of the product you are producing. Marbling over the years has been considered an important part of the final product. We have seen a move from the presence of fat to the drastic lean belief.