Breeding Mini Cattle [Archive]

c-ray

04-30-2006, 07:25 PM

from http://minicattle.com

A NEW BREED OR JUST CROSSBREEDING?
By Professor Emeritus Richard Gradwohl

The key to development of a new breed of cattle is strict control of sire and dam within a preplanned written breeding program. Notice I use the words preplanned and written. This means it should be well conceived and well thought out. I had a person call a few days ago wanting to register a new breed of miniature cattle. I asked if they had developed a breeding program outline? Answer - No. I asked if a sire or sires had been chosen for the new breed? Answer - No. I asked if a method of evaluating potential dams had been developed? Answer - No. I asked if they were going to linebreed to increase the herd? Answer - What's that? I asked if they were going to allow any inbreeding? Answer - Why not. I asked if they had chosen an appropriate name for the new breed? Answer - No. I asked what the appearance of the new breed was going to be? Answer - Whatever it is. I asked how are you going to cull animals? Answer - None.

These answers are typical of the complete misunderstanding and lack of knowledge concerning breed development. I suggested that they were just crossbreeding which was a world apart from developing a new breed. I also suggested that when they had some animals on the ground they might want to consider registering them in the open breeds category. The MCBR Open Breeds is not a category of registered breeds, the only requirement is the height standard. The development of a breed of miniature cattle requires patience, experience and a positive explanation to all of the above questions. A breeding program means standards and rules have been determined against which future animals are compared and measured. A breed is defined as "A group of animals with similar characteristics from a common background that reproduces itself similarly within an acceptable range of standards". The breeding program is an outline of the plan showing how you intend to get where you want to go. It allows a certain amount of flexibility within standards so that individual breeders can make appropriate choices as to the characteristics they want to emphasize. Culling needs to take place if animals do not fall within the acceptable range of standards.

Developing a new breed of cattle can take years. The first cross is like the first step in a long process. What you are trying to accomplish is the focusing of genetics so that there is the prepotency to reproduce similarly within an acceptable range of standards. Those that develop the standards and determine the acceptable range can put an animal within or out of that range. What is a cull can be a subjective decision. The Dexter breed for example can reproduce short or long legged animals. Sometimes you can breed short to short and get tall. Other times you might breed tall to tall and get short legged animals. Most of the time the progeny resemble the parents but when the progeny do not resemble the parents is it still a Dexter or a cull? What are the acceptable standards and what is the range of acceptability. If there is no agreement regarding these questions, then is the Dexter really a breed. The registry says that if a registered Dexter is bred to a registered Dexter then it's a Dexter. I guess that solves the problem, or does it?

To a large extent it all depends on your breeding goals. Cattle shows give ribbons out to those animals that are thought to be on the high end of the range of acceptable standards. But is that just a matter of a judge's perception? It seems what one judge says is most desirable is not necessarily the same as what the next cattle judge might say. I've been the show route and received a first place blue ribbon and at the next show a third place ribbon in competition with pretty much the same animals but with a different judge. Is there the perfect breed and the prefect animal? You bet!! and of course I own both. Of course that is just my opinion.

Breed development is not easy but it sure is interesting and a lot of fun. To tell you the truth I've been breeding cattle for 35 years with a lot of success but frankly I feel I'm just starting to learn a few things. When you are dealing with nature and trying to influence genetics nothing is for sure. As an example, I had a fellow call me the other day to buy some miniature cattle. He wanted me to guarantee that every animal would be under 42" at three years of age. Of course I couldn't make such a guarantee. He said he had a fellow in Texas who would make that guarantee in writing. I replied "buy all you can but be sure and have your attorney read his guarantee first".

c-ray

04-30-2006, 07:25 PM

from http://minicattle.com/index.cfm?select=breeding_program

Linebred Belted Milking DexterTM and Belted Lessor JerseyTM

Breeding Plan and Standards
By Professor Richard Gradwohl
Founding Director International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society

The Linebred BMDTM and BLJTM are based on a two breed cross foundation of a single Miniature Belted Lessor JerseyTM bull with outstanding characteristics bred to approved Miniature Dexter females or approved small production Jersey cattle and Miniature Jersey cattle. Here at the Miniature Cattle Research Facility we are developing these two multipurpose breeds in the height range of 38" to 48". These new breeds are not only capable of producing outstanding feed efficient animals but also have high progeny milk production with a docile nature to make for great pets. Both the Jersey and Dexter breeds are known for high quality cream content milk. The combination of breeds creates a superior milk.

Most breeding programs that have been successful have been those based on linebreeding which requires the selection of a particular single bull as the foundation bull. The Belted Milking DexterTM and Belted Lessor JerseyTM are linebreeding programs with a bull by the name of Jackson (MCBR# 2724) as the single foundation bull. Jackson is 81.25% Lessor JerseyTM and 18.75% Buelingo. Jackson has a full white belt from the Buelingo influence. The Buelingo breed is based on a 50/50 cross between the Angus and Belted Galloway beef breeds. This beef breed influence makes the BMDTM and BLJTM dual purpose animals good for both milk and beef. The Belted Milking DexterTM is a four breed composite animal resulting in maximum heterosis, combining Jersey, Angus, Belted Galloway and Dexter. When Jackson is bred to selected approved Dexter females the resulting influence is 50% Dexter, 40.65% Jersey, 4.69% Angus and 4.69% Belted Galloway. When Jackson is bred to small approved production Jersey and Miniature Jersey cattle the resulting three breed influence is 90.62% Jersey, 4.69% Angus and 4.69% Belted Galloway.

The wide white belt from Jackson comes through genetically in 50% of the breedings. Breeding a belted animal to a non belted animal results in this 50% chance. How the belt comes through is also a matter of chance. It could be narrow or wide, partial or complete. All progeny will be half brother and half sister. These half brothers and half sisters are then bred together maintaining the 50% influence of Jackson, thus the linebreeding effect. In those cases where both bull and heifer have a belt the chance of the belt coming through is increased to 75% of the time. We are viewing the Belted Milking DexterTM and the Belted Lessor JerseyTM breeds as two of the most significant breed developments in the last 100 years. A composite breed with the influence of four highly desirable breeds including a white belt is a major accomplishment. BMDTM cattle and BLJTM cattle are highly desirable sought after breeds. Sought after as a beef animal, a mini milker and as wonderful pets with the added charm of a white belt.

All animals are registered in the International Miniature Cattle Breeds Registry. For those individuals that wish to participate in these breeding programs semen for artificial insemination purposes is available. Agreement of strict adherence to the breeding plan and standards is required by signed agreements. Violation of the breeding plan and standards results in disqualification of animal registrations. The breed registry chairperson is available to answer breeding questions and consultation, e-mail info@minicattle.com.

BREED STANDARDS
BMDTM and BLJTM BREEDS
As of 12-01-04

1. Animals must be 42" and under at maturity (three years) to be registered as miniature, or over 42" up to 48" at maturity to be registered as mid-size miniature. All measurements are at the hip (hook bone).

2. All animals must be registered no later than 4 months of age. A picture of each animal being registered must accompany each registration application. Animals are registered as full belts, partial belts or potential belts. Registration Certificates from the IMCBR are temporary until maturity (three years) at which time a height measurement is required for permanent registry. Contact the IMCBR or its agent for application for registration forms.

3. Animals must have originated from approved purebred Dexter cattle or approved Jersey cattle having been sired by Jackson and have followed the linebred breeding plan.

4. Parentage must not have any evidence of inbreeding within the last 6 generations unless from approved animals.

5. Animals must not be the result of inbreeding, inbreeding being defined as more than 50% influence of an ancestor.

6. Animals must have originated from the approved Lessor Jersey foundation bull, Jackson MCBR# 2724. Contact the IMCBR or its agent to order semen for artificial insemination purposes.

7. All breedings must result in 50% influence of the foundation bull creating a gene pool necessary for linebred BMDTM or BLJTM cattle to have the prepotency to reproduce similarly.

8. All animals used in this breeding program must be registered with the International Miniature Cattle Breeds Registry.

9. All Dexter females must be tested negative for the chondrodysplasia gene (bulldog gene) in the Dexter breed. Contact the IMCBR or its agent for approved testing facilities.

10. The attached Breeder Agreement Form is a required part of this program and must be signed by the approved breeder. All sales and transfers of animal ownership requires new owner to also agree to and sign this breeding plan and standards agreement.

BREEDING PLAN
BMDTM and BLJTM BREEDS
As of 12-01-04

WHERE:

J = Jackson MCBR# 2724
D/J = Dexter females (cows or heifers) or small approved production Jerseys or Miniature Jersey cattle (cows or heifers).
b = bull, hi = heifer, F1 = 1st progeny, F2 = 2nd progeny, F3 = 3rd progeny, F4 = 4th progeny.

F1 PROGENY:

Jackson bred to several Dexter/Jersey females of no closer than half sister relationships.
J x D/J = F1b and F1hi

F2 PROGENY:

Select F1 bull and breed this half brother to his half sisters. Bulls not selected (culls) must be steered.
F1b (selection) x F1hi (several half sisters) = F2's (bulls and heifers).

F3 PROGENY:

Select an F2 bull and breed to his half sisters = F3's (bulls and heifers). Bulls not selected (culls) must be steered.

F4 PROGENY:

Select an F3 bull and linebreed to increase the herd. Bulls not selected (culls) must be steered.
The selected F3 bull has the desired height, color, markings, size, and conformation. Breed him to all his half sisters. Then make a final bull selection and continue to breed half brothers to half sisters in increase the herd. Also, keep producing F1, F2, and F3 progeny from breedings with your selected bulls at these levels. The result is that every animal has 50% influence of Jackson with a mixture of genetics from various selected Dexter/Jersey females. Truly outstanding animals with great hybrid vigor. You're on your way to developing your herd of these magnificent Linebred Belted Milking DexterTM or Belted Lessor JerseyTM cattle.

BREEDING PLAN DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE

STEP 1 - F1 Progeny (see above)

Breed Jackson (by artificial insemination) to several approved Dexter females (cows or heifers) or approved production Jersey or Miniature Jersey cattle (cows or heifers). The selected females should be no closer than half sisters. Dexter or Jersey females are selected for height (48" and under at hook bone), conformation and temperament (docile nature). This first cross for either breed results in bulls and heifers that are half brother/half sister and are 50% Jackson/50% Dexter or Jersey. You should get 50% females and 50% males as a result of these breedings.

STEP 2 - F2 Progeny (see above)

Select one F1 bull. Bull selection is the key to developing the herd. When it comes to importance, the bull is half the herd. Desired height, color, markings, size and conformation are all important characteristics in the selection process. Look for the bull with the most beef characteristics and short stature. The IMCBR frame chart will help you predict height. Look for the desired color characteristics that you judge you want. Bulls that are not selected (culls) must be steered. Breed the selected F1 bull to all his half sisters. This maintains 50% influence of Jackson while combining the Dexter or Jersey genetics of the selected bull with those of each half sister. Each F2 progeny then, will have 50% Jackson, 25% Dexter or Jersey from the selected bull female side and 25% Dexter from each particular breeding with each half sister.

STEP 3 - F3 Progeny (see above)

Step 3 gives another chance at bull selection. Look for the very best F2 bull based on the criteria mentioned above. Breed this bull to all his F2 half sisters (bulls not selected must be steered). The 50% Jackson influence is maintained but this step gives another opportunity to influence the Dexter or Jersey female side. The F2 selected has, as mentioned 50% Jackson, 25% Dexter or Jersey from the selected bull and 25% from each particular half sister breeding. The breedings of F2 to F2 will have the genetic influence of Dexter or Jersey females in the percentage relationship of 25/12.5/12.5. The female influence of the selected bull stays at 25%. The influence of the half sisters breedings drops to 12.5% each.

STEP 4 - F4 Progeny (see above)

Now you have a group of animals that are 50% Jackson, 25% Dexter or Jersey from the F2 breeding and 12.5% from each F2 half sisters breedings. This step requires a last bull selection to be bred to his half sister. The resulting percentages are 50% Jackson, 25% Dexter or Jersey from the F2 breeding, 12.5% Dexter or Jersey from the F3 breeding and 6.25% Dexter or Jersey from the half sister breedings. Hopefully this last breeding results in a bull. If it doesn't try again. During the process of Step 2 and Step 3 additional breedings can take place to produce more F2 and F3 heifers to breed to your selected bulls at these levels. Sooner or later an outstanding F4 BMDTM or BLJTM bull is developed. Additional bull refinement selection can take place at the F2, F3 and F4 levels. The F4 bull is the best of the best because of your selection process that has taken place. Once this super bull has been developed breedings by him with all qualified Dexter or Jersey females can take place. The size of the herds are unlimited.

Through bull selection at the F1, F2, F3 and F4 levels the prepotency of genetic focus to reproduce similarly is developed. These bull selection choices develops a herd of animals which in the eyes of the breeder are the best that can be produced. This is what linebreeding is all about. The development of an outstanding breed of cattle through selective breeding. The Linebred Belted Milking DexterTM and Belted Lessor JerseyTM breeds are outstanding dual purpose animals, good for both progeny milking ability and beef characteristics with the appeal of a white belt.