Balancing growth, carcase quality and fertility: How genomic technology can help you select the best cattle

As the cattle industry evolves, achieving a balance between growth, carcase quality and fertility becomes increasingly important.

Livestock producers face the challenge of optimising these three critical traits to maximise profitability and sustainability.

Traditional selection methods based on visual appraisal or phenotypic data are no longer enough.

Genomic technology now offers a revolutionary way to streamline the selection process and ensure you’re breeding the best possible animals for your herd.

Here’s a look at how genomic technology can help you balance these essential traits effectively.

The triple aim: Growth, carcase quality and fertility

1. Growth: More than just size

Growth rate is crucial for improving profitability. Faster-growing animals reach market weight sooner, reducing feed and labour costs.

However, selecting for growth alone can sometimes negatively impact other traits, such as fertility or carcase quality. This is where genomic testing comes in.

2. Carcase quality: The market’s demands

Carcase traits like marbling, tenderness, and eye muscle area are increasingly important for meeting market demands and consumer preferences.

Genomic technology can help predict which animals are likely to produce higher-quality meat, allowing you to improve carcase characteristics without compromising other traits.

3. Fertility: The key to herd longevity

While growth and carcase quality are critical for short-term profits, fertility ensures the long-term viability of your herd.

Fertile cows and bulls reduce reproductive costs, increase calving rates, and enhance the genetic progress of your operation.

Genomic tools enable the early identification of high-fertility animals, ensuring your breeding program is built on strong foundations.

How genomic technology enhances selection

Genomic testing analyses an animal's DNA, providing insight into its genetic potential for a range of traits, including growth, carcase quality and fertility.

Here’s how genomic technology can improve your selection process:

1. Objective data for more informed decisions

Unlike traditional selection methods, which rely heavily on visual assessment or basic performance data, genomic testing offers objective insights.

It allows you to evaluate the genetic merit of animals at a young age, long before phenotypic traits manifest.

This is particularly valuable when balancing traits that might not be visually apparent, like fertility or marbling.

2. Multi-trait selection made easy

With the ability to assess multiple traits simultaneously, genomic tools help balance growth, carcase and fertility traits, without overemphasising one at the expense of another.

For example, selecting bulls with high genomic merit for fertility and carcase quality ensures your herd’s reproductive efficiency stays intact while improving meat quality.

3. Improved accuracy and faster genetic progress

Traditional estimated breeding values (EBVs) rely on pedigree and performance data, which can take years to gather.

In contrast, genomic testing provides more accurate predictions of an animal’s genetic potential early in life.

This increased accuracy leads to faster genetic progress, as you can make more informed selection decisions sooner.

4. Reducing the risk of negative trade-offs

Selecting for one trait, such as rapid growth, often comes with trade-offs in other areas like fertility or carcase quality.

Genomic technology allows you to monitor potential negative correlations and make more balanced breeding decisions.

For example, if an animal shows strong growth potential but lower fertility scores, genomic data can guide your decision on how to use that animal in your breeding program.

5. Efficient resource use

By identifying animals with superior genetic potential early, genomic testing reduces the costs associated with raising animals that won’t meet your breeding or production goals.

This ensures resources are focused on the most promising individuals, whether they are destined for breeding or production.

Practical application: Building a balanced herd

To fully leverage genomic technology in your herd, it’s essential to start by clearly defining your breeding goals, also commonly referred to as breeding objectives.

What balance of growth, carcase quality and fertility are you aiming for?

Once your goals are set, genomic testing can be integrated into your selection program by:

·       Testing calves early: Test animals shortly after birth to determine their genetic potential. This allows for more strategic management decisions early in life.

·       Using genomics to select breeding stock: Evaluate bulls and heifers based on genomic data to ensure your breeding animals are contributing positively to growth, carcase quality and fertility.

·       Refining crossbreeding programs: Genomic tools help identify complementary genetics between breeds. This is particularly useful in crossbreeding programs aimed at improving multiple traits simultaneously.

The future of cattle breeding: Precision through genomics

As the cattle industry continues to innovate, genomics will play an even larger role in helping producers optimise their herds.

With the ability to balance key traits like growth, carcase quality and fertility, genomic technology provides a clear path to improving profitability and sustainability.

Adopting this technology ensures you’re not just breeding for the next season, but for the future health and productivity of your herd.

By taking advantage of genomic insights, you can build a more balanced, productive and profitable herd, ensuring long-term success for your cattle operation.

Are you ready to start using genomic technology in your cattle selection process?

Contact us today to learn more about how genomic testing can benefit your operation.