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Expectations

Currently, there is a large variation in cattle and associated genes, which has created profitable cattle now and could lead to increased production in the future. However, if selection in cattle production intensifies, there may be devastating impacts on the gene pool. For example, if commercial breeds such as Hereford, Angus, and Holstein-Friesian will continue to experience intensive selective breeding and worldwide trade, genetic variation within and across breeds will decrease and breeds may experience internal inbreeding depression, reduction of trait value, and increased developmental and reproductive problems.

With technological advancements selective breeding techniques have and will continue to improve and cattle production will most likely increase. We have already seen advancements such as artificial insemination and embryo transfers, but researchers are already working to develop new and improved processes.  For example, they are trying to freeze and store embryos for future use in retaining selected traits and putting genes back into the gene pool. Another development researchers are working on is splitting fertilized eggs to produce multiple genetically identical calves to increase the proportion of selected high quality traits available.  

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Technological Advancements

The Future of Cattle Breeding

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 Maintaining and conserving genetic variation is crucial to the continued management and improvement of cattle, including response to changes in climate, disease, production, and consumer preferences. Some ways to maintain genetic variation are: 

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  • Preserve several different breeds

  • Shift to local breeds and extensive management systems

  • Reinforce primitive breeds that have 'preserved traits'

  • Crossbreeding

  • Inclusion of ALL associated traits in breeding objectives

  • Recognize environmental interactions

  • Use of selection algorithms

  • Store semen from commercial cattle

  • Rational Payment Systems (paying producers to crossbreed)

  • Genetic Conservation Programs (evaluate genetic resources and appropriate selection operations)

  • Look at more than just the phenotype (genetic relationships)

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Maintaining Genetic Variation

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