Composite Breeds to Use Heterosis and Breed Differences to Improve Efficiency of211 Beef Production

摘要

This report is a summary of results from a long-term experiment of 15 years211u001econducted with beef cattle at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research 211u001eCenter. The study estimated the retention of heterosis for major bioeconomic 211u001etraits in composite populations (established with contributions by four or five 211u001epurebreeds) and evaluated the potential of using these composite populations to 211u001eachieve and maintain optimum performance levels and to maintain high levels of 211u001eheterosis. At leaste 13 scientific papers were published from this project, 211u001eresulting in numerous conclusions, presented here.