Utilizing crossbreeding to take advantage of hybrid vigor is a proven free lunch available for cattle producers.  In this world there are very few free lunches and when one comes along, it is kind of nice to take advantage of it. 

The majority of mother cows across the country are black, with many herds going with a straight Angus cowherd.  This has occurred due to the demand from the feeder market for black hided cattle.  Producers had to respond to the premiums being paid for black cattle, or discounts to non-black cattle, however you want to put it, in order to maximize returns to their operation.  However, going with a straight bred program caused producers to miss out on hybrid vigor and the resulting heavier calves at weaning that comes from a well planned crossbreeding program.

Hybrid vigor is the free lunch.  A good crossbreeding program doesn’t cost it pays.  According to research conducted at the United States Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) and at Montana State University (MSU), crossbreeding can improve weaning weights from 16 to 30 pounds over straight bred calves based on the mating system used.  Table 1 shows the expected level of improvement in weaning weights due to the crossbreeding system used.

Table 1.  Expected level of improvement due to crossbreeding
Mating system              % heterosis                           Est. Increase in Wean. Wt.
T sire x F1                      100                                        23-28 pounds
2 breed rotation               67                                        16 pounds
3 breed rotation               86                                        20 pounds

The research also proved that crossbred cows are more efficient than straight bred cows.  Table 2 shows data from an MSU study on the economic advantage that crossbred cows have over straight bred cows.  The crossbred cows stayed in the herd longer, produced more pounds of calf over their lifetime and had lower breakeven costs.

Table 2.  Economic advantage of crossbred cows versus straight bred cows.
                 Trait                                                   Improvement over straight breds
              Longevity                                                   38% longer (1.2 years)
     Calf weight weaned                                              25% more production
              Net Profit                                                   Breakeven costs 10% lower

The free lunch is there for the taking.  We can keep the cattle black to meet the market demand while at the same time increase performance by using a well planned crossbreeding program.  Crossbreeding pays and is the only free lunch in the cattle business.  Of course, the breeds used have to compliment each only in order to maintain market acceptance, quality and improve performance.

With the tough economic times we are facing currently in the cattle business, it makes sense to consider using a crossbreeding system.  The Cow-Calf Management Guide has an excellent bulletin on designing a crossbreeding system.  If you want a copy of this publication, feel free to contact me.