Enhanced comment feature has been enabled for all readers including those not logged in. Click on the Discussion tab (top left) to add or reply to discussions.
Mating Systems
A mating system in its purest form is determining which males will be bred to which females in the herd. This can be as broad as determining which breeds will be used in a crossbreeding system to as specific as which bull will be mated to which cow for a desired result. For commercial cattlemen it is recommended that this mating system incorporate crossbreeding. By utilizing crossbreeding, commercial cattlemen can take advantage of heterosis and breed complementarity. For seedstock producers, the mating system could include crossbreeding, but often is a straight-breeding or composite system. Within a straight-breeding mating system the practices of inbreeding or outcrossing can be mating strategies used.
