Hair shedding scores : a tool to select heat tolerant cattle
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"Responsible beef breeding requires matching cattle genetics to production environment. This is necessary for at least three reasons: Profitability, animal well-being and improved environmental impact. Cattle that are well-suited to their environment are more profitable. Not only are well-adapted cattle more productive, but they also require fewer inputs and interventions. It is estimated that cattle suffering from fescue toxicosis and heat stress alone cost the beef industry over a billion dollars a year. Cattle that are adapted to their environment suffer less stress. This improves the animal's well-being, which is important to cattle producers, beef consumers, and society. One of the greatest environmental challenges for beef producers in many parts of the U.S. is heat stress. This is especially true in the Southeast where relatively high humidity levels intensify hot temperatures in which cattle must cope to remain comfortable and productive. Cattle whose genetics better match their environment are more effective at utilizing resources. Typical indications of cattle whose genetics do not match their environment are decreased calf weaning weights and/or failure to rebreed. By improving the efficiency of the cow, the overall efficiency of natural resource use for beef cattle production is improved. Therefore, selecting cattle that appropriately cope with heat stress is a major piece of sustainable beef production."--First page.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.
Provided for historical documentation only. Check Missouri Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station websites for current information.
Provided for historical documentation only. Check Missouri Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station websites for current information.