1. Breed Selection Factors

2. Production Traits – Breeding Animals • Prolific – number of animals born at one time. • Mothering ability – ability to produce enough milk for the offspring. • Soundness – strength of feet & legs. • Weaning Weight – size of calf at weaning time. • Longevity – life span of the animal

3. Production Traits – Market Animals • Lean Ratio – Amount of fat compared to the amount of meat. • Muscling – Quality of meat on the animal. • Carcass Quality – Quality of meat in terms of marbling. • Rate of gain – pounds gained per day. • Feed Efficiency – pounds of feed needed to put on one pound of weight.

4. Breed Selection Factors • 1 – Production traits - breeding / market (from previous slides) • 2 – Cost of the breed – bulls / semen straws may cost more for certain breeds. • 3 – Environmental Conditions – certain breeds do better in warmer environments – look up Brahma cattle in GOOGLE. • 4 – Personal Preference- some people like black hair on cattle – some people like white. Example:Blake Eisenbeisz vs. Calvin & Gary Sandmeier • 5 – Purpose of the animal – Is this animal for pleasure, work, breeding, etc.?