Project Number: 5438-31000-067-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 31, 2002
End Date: Jul 30, 2007

Objective:
1) Characterize breeds representing diverse biological types for rate and efficiency of growth, carcass composition and meat quality, reproduction, calving ease, maternal performance, cow size, and herd life; 2) evaluate genotype-environment interactions among breeds representing diverse biological types from tropical and temperate regions of the world in subtropical and temperate regions of the U.S.; 3) determine favorable and unfavorable effects of a major gene for leanness (inactive myostatin resulting in muscular hypertrophy) on economically important traits in alternative matings systems; and 4) develop procedures and estimate genetic parameters to combine use of quantitative and molecular data into genetic evaluations in beef cattle.

Approach:
The Germplasm Evaluation (GPE) Program has been conducted as a series of experiments (cycles) involving comparison of F1 crosses from 38 sire breeds representing diverse biological types of cattle. This project provides for completion of Cycle VI, and continuation of Cycles VII and VIII of the Program. In Cycle VI, F1 cross females from matings of Norwegian Red, Swedish Red and White, Friesian (Europe), Wagyu (from Japan), Hereford, and Angus sires with Angus, Hereford, and composite MARC III (1/4 Angus, Hereford, Red Poll, and Pinzgauer) dams are being evaluated for reproduction and maternal performance. In Cycle VII, F1 cross progeny of sires representing seven most prominent Bos taurus beef breeds (Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Simmental, Charolais, Red Angus, and Gelbvieh) are being evaluated to assess relative changes that have accrued since the early 1970's. F1 sires produced from matings to four of the most widely used sires from each breed will be mated to the F1 females to produce progeny to identify QTL and combine use of quantitative and molecular data in genetic evaluations. In Cycle VIII, F1 cross progeny of tropically adapted Bonsmara (S. Africa), Romosinuano (Columbia), Beefmaster, and Brangus are being evaluated in Nebraska and Louisiana to evaluate genotype-environment interactions for reproduction and maternal performance. Favorable and unfavorable effects of zero, one, or two copies of an inactive myostatin gene on economically important traits in alternative matings systems are being assessed in Piedmontese X Hereford and Piedmontese X Angus F1 cross, reciprocal backcross, F2, F3, and Charolais terminal cross matings.

Project Team

Cundiff, Larry Van Vleck, Lloyd - Dale Snowder, Gary

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003