Mating Systems

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Mating Systems

A mating system is determining which males will be bred to which females in the herd. 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.