Our Research

What We Are Seeing in the Field

Some universities still teach that fertility is not very heritable. That conclusion comes from studies that used indicators of fertility to measure heritability. Those studies found the chosen indicators were not very heritable and concluded that fertility was not heritable either.

Experienced cattle producers often observe the opposite:

Fertility is highly heritable.

It is likely that the indicators used in those studies are not reliable measures of fertility.

A more practical way to measure fertility looks at:

We are conducting our own research and gathering data that supports cattle producers.

The Points Below Are Theories

The ideas below are theories. Based on the data we have gathered so far, they appear to hold up.

Still Learning. Still Watching.

We do not consider this the final word. These patterns appear often enough, across enough operations, that we take them seriously.

We will keep gathering data, keep observing the cattle, and keep updating this page as more information comes in.

If you are seeing the same patterns, or noticing something new, we welcome your input. The cattle continue to teach us, and we are doing our best to keep up.

Forage-efficient cattle: separate measured intake from appearance

Forage includes grazed plants and conserved feeds such as hay and silage; grass is only part of that category. Forage efficiency concerns output relative to the forage consumed, but intake is difficult to measure accurately in a grazing herd. Body shape or an animal's photograph cannot demonstrate feed conversion.

Feed conversion compares feed intake with gain. Residual feed intake compares an animal's measured intake with the intake expected for its size and growth in a particular test. These measures are not interchangeable, and a result on a high-energy test ration is not direct proof of performance on your pasture or hay.

When reviewing research or a breeder's efficiency claim, ask for the diet, test duration, animal age, sample size and method of measuring intake. Consider fertility, health, mature size and longevity alongside efficiency. Repeat observations in the intended production system before assuming a result transfers across diets or environments.

This background evidence does not certify any Bos Sires animal.