Performance Line
as being superior for most other measures of
fertility. This is called direct hybrid vigor.
In addition, calves born to crossbred dams
benefit from the fact that their dam is
crossbred, which gives them both added
survivability and growth. This is referred to as
maternal hybrid vigor and is in addition to any
hybrid vigor that calf expresses directly.
Direct Hybrid Vigor: the boost in performance
in the calf due to the calf itself being crossbred.
Maternal Hybrid Vigor: the benefit
to the performance of a calf because
it has a crossbred dam.
As an example, in the early ‘80s the Meat Animal
Research Center (Cundiff et al., 1982) designed
a system to illustrate the value of crossbreeding.
First, they compared weaning rates and weights
of crossbred vs straightbred calves when both
were raised by straightbred dams (this would
show the value of direct hybrid vigor). Then they
compared weaning rates and weights of crossbred
calves when they were raised by either crossbred
or straightbred cows (this would show the value
of having a crossbred dam, which equates to
maternal hybrid vigor). Results are shown below:
Crossbred calves weaned at 3 percent
higher rate, and weighed 4.6 percent more
when straightbred dams raised them, and
as a result, the system producing crossbred
calves benefited with 8.5 percent more
pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed.
When compared to the system using
straightbred cows, the system using
crossbred cows had 14.8 percent more
pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed.
Finally, when the straightbred system was
compared to the system using crossbred dams
to produce crossbred calves, 23.3 percent
more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed
was achieved. I should note, that the crosses
were for Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn.
So, even greater benefit could be expected
between Limousin and British crosses.
When comparing straight breeding systems using
purebred females to crossbreeding systems using
crossbred females: Over half of the advantage of
crossbreeding systems can be attributed to the
use of crossbred cows. I hope this helps arm you
with information to have discussions regarding
the value of not only utilizing Limousin and Lim-
flex bulls, but the value of retaining crossbred
females should not be underestimated. I
Trait Direct Hybrid Vigor Maternal Hybrid Vigor Total Hybrid Vigor
Weaning % 3.0% 6.4% 9.4 %
Weaning weight 4.6% 4.3% 8.9%
Lbs. weaned/cow
exposed 8.5% 14.8% 23.3%
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