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Evaluation of composite and/or purebred cow productivity and profitability under stressful environmental conditions and subsequent progeny performance in the feedlot.
D.W. Schafer and J.A. Marchello.
The V Bar V Ranch is currently evaluating various beef composites and/or purebreds for potential use in the arid Southwest. Data are being collected on the cattle from conception to consumption. Using Hereford cows, both registered and commercial, as our control population, other purebreds and/or composites are being introduced into the herd for evaluation not only on the ranch but also progeny performance in the feedlot and carcass. Currently, we have two composite groups that we are evaluating and one purebred breed that we are introducing for evaluation. The first composite is from the Bar T Bar Ranch in Winslow, AZ, comprising 25% Hereford, 25% Red &/or Black Angus, 25% Gelbvieh, 25% Barzona or Senepol. The second composite is the CGC Composite from the USDA Fort Keogh Research Laboratory in Miles City, MT. The CGC breed composition is 50% Red Angus, 25% Tarentaise, 25% Charolais. The purebred breed we are introducing is the African breed of Tuli. The experimental design is to introduce a minimum of 150 single source animals into the herd over a three-year period to reduce year effects. Each group is bred to its respective bull counterpart for the first calf and replacements are retained. The evaluation of each composite/purebred continues until less than 50 head remain in the herd at which time another composite/purebred is introduced. Each of the groups will be evaluated against constant control of Hereford cows which also provides ties to the national Hereford database. Additionally, through the donation of semen and cattle as well as the purchase of some cattle, the Hereford breed at the V Bar V is genetically tied to San Carlos Apache Tribe’s R-100 Ranch, the Colorado State University-San Juan Basin Research Center and the USDA Fort Keogh Livestock Research Laboratory allowing for direct comparison of the genotypes from these locations in a single environment.
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Development of Synchronization Methods for Arizona Production Systems.
D.W. Schafer and S. Peder Cuneo
We have been evaluating new methods of improving and implementing existing synchronization protocols utilizing the University of Arizona V Bar V Ranch as a model for Arizona and Southwestern beef production systems. The scope of the ranch, both in numbers of cattle, and environmental factors, mimics a typical production scenario here in the Southwest. By evaluating the level of management on our own ranch, we can serve as a benchmark for other ranchers to help in improving the management of their own operations.
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Evaluation of Waguli Composite sired calves.
D.W. Schafer and J.A. Marchello.
A performance evaluation of the Waguli composite for use in southwestern breeding programs was initiated in 2003. The Waguli composite was formed in Texas by crossing Wagyu and Tuli lines of cattle. The Wagyu cattle exhibit extreme levels of marbling or intramuscular fat as well as good calving ease, good fertility, quiet temperament, adaptability, and early female maturity. The Tuli cattle are known for above average tenderness, heat and drought tolerance, docility, early maturity, good fertility, calving ease, tick resistance and adaptability. The Wagyu-Tuli cross offspring (Waguli) exhibit above average carcass characteristics while retaining their other good qualities for fertility and adaptability. Therefore, the Waguli may offer an alternative to Bos Indicus breeds which despite their being less tender, later maturing and less fertile are used extensively for their adaptability, heat tolerance and insect resistance in southwestern breeding systems.
In this experiment, Waguli bulls are being randomly mated to Hereford and Hereford cross females and to Bar T Bar and CGC composite females. Subsequent progeny performance will then be evaluated on the ranch, in the feedlot and ultimately the carcass. Additionally, half-blood Waguli females will be retained as replacements to evaluate the fertility and adaptability to Arizona range conditions.
