About 75 percent of the cattle operations in Georgia have fewer than 50 head. The average producer maintains about 25 cows. Most classic crossbreeding systems require more than one bull and more than one group of cows.
Most small operations have only one bull and one breeding pasture available each year.
The structured breeding programs that work well in large herds will not work under these conditions. However, there are effective, practical approaches that may be used for the small herd. A breeding programs is a complete system of management designed to bring about genetic improvement. Genetic improvement can be accomplished by the use of both crossbreeding and selection. Selection of superior breeding stock is effective only if traits are heritable.