The innovative Beefbooster program is based on differentiating seedstock strains
to provide an extra kick of hybrid vigor to each type of cattle in your commercial
herd. Each of the five hybrid seedstock strains is specialized and offers certain
advantages:
- Three maternal strains (M1, M2, M4) for siring top replacement heifers.
- One heifer strain (M3) to ensure calving ease for heifers.
- One Terminal strain for producing feeder cattle that will grow rapidly.
The five strains of Beefbooster seedstock were developed to fulfill different roles
in commercial crossbreeding systems. It is not necessary to use all five strains,
but not using all five strains in their specialized roles does sacrifice some potential
profit.
Beefbooster Maternal Bulls are designed to produce daughters which will form the
basis of a profitable cow herd. All maternal strains have been developed to produce
mother cows that will raise more superior calves every year with a minimal amount
of winter feeding.
Beefbooster produces three maternal strains. That's because by crossing these strains,
commercial producers can realize the added benefit of hybrid vigor to enhance reproduction,
soundness and overall lifetime productivity.
- Herds using all three maternal strains should achieve about 85% of maximum hybrid
vigor.
- Herds using two of the three strains may realize 67% hybrid vigor.
- Herds that only stick to one strain cannot expect to benefit from hybrid vigor over
time.
Maximizing hybrid vigor can ultimately increase reproduction, health, vitality,
longevity and overall lifetime productivity in your herd. In fact, maximum hybrid
vigor may increase lifetime production by as much as 25%, adding up to $70 per cow
per year or $400 over the lifetime productivity of a single cow*.
* Kress, D.D. and M.D. MacNeil. Crossbreeding Beef Cattle For Western Range Environments,
2nd Edition. WCC-1 Publication TB-97. Montana State University, Bozeman.
- Seedstock bulls must be born unassisted
- Females, once exposed, must calve every year
- Exceptional fertility (conception within a 50 day breeding season)
- Superior mothering ability
- Preweaning gain measured under commercial management conditions
- Culled for poor teats and udders, as well as foot and leg problems
- Moderate milk production (to keep winter feed cost in line with calf value)
The perfect mate for cows which are primarily of Hereford, Simmental or Limousin
stock. This moderate, intermediate framed strain was developed from an Angus base.
The primary objective measurement for the selection is weaning weight, which is
moderately heritable and repeatable. Emphasis is put on mothering ability and sound
udders.
The ideal match for Gelbvieh, Angus or Limousin stock. This strain was developed
primarily from a Hereford base. It is selected the same as M1's. Lifetime productivity
of the dams is another important factor used to select bulls in the maternal strains.
The right partner for Angus, Simmental or Hereford stock. This strain compliments
M1 and M2 bulls. The strain was developed from a different genetic pool (but with
much of the same selection objectives) to produce robust, prolific mother cows.
"I started out with the M4 strain, thinking it would work well with the Hereford-
Simmental cross, which it certainly did. But once you start with the Beefbooster
program, you come to appreciate the total effect of the program’s selection pressure
on the bulls and the positive results that are seen in the herd."
Lorne Turner Eckville, AB
To ensure easy calving for your heifers, Beefbooster developed a light, small framed
M3 Bull which is designed specifically for breeding to yearling heifers.
- M3 bulls have a birth weight restriction of 74 lb. adjusted for age of dam.
- Selecting bulls with a birth weight of 74 lb. or less means most calves will be
relatively small and delivered without difficulty.
- Most ranchers using M3 bulls assist less than 5% of their heifers; seldom does the
assist rate exceed 10%
M3s are selected for postweaning performance. Herds wanting a slightly smaller,
lower cost cow might keep some top-end M3 cross heifers for replacements.
"More than happy with Beefbooster bulls, lively calves. Only pulled one calf out
of a heifer since started using M3 bulls three years ago."
Cam Francis, Glenwood, Alberta
The primary reason for using the Terminal strain is to increase the rate of growth
of lean meat after weaning. The offspring of a Terminal strain bull will develop
into fast-growing, profitable feeder calves. Terminal strain offspring are known
for yielding carcasses with more salable red meat.
The gene pool for this strain started from a predominately Charolais base. Selection
of Terminal strain bulls is focused on improving postweaning growth and cutability,
without increasing calving difficulty when used on mature maternal cows. As you
would expect, any bull optimized for production of fast-growing, profitable feeder
calves is going to be big. Our Beefbooster Terminal strain bulls are meant to be
mated with mature cows which can cope with larger calves.
Increase Profits Your Way
Anyone can sell you a breeding bull, but Beefbooster goes further by backing the
product with the strategic planning and thorough testing to ensure you get the most
out of your investment. Call us and we will help you develop
a breeding plan that is consistent with the long-term goals and objectives of your
individual operation, and takes honest account of your opportunities and limitations.
Genetic improvement in a herd can take years to implement. But when done right,
it is well worth the wait. Because by establishing a long-term breeding plan you
can realize substantially increased profits by genetically enhancing your herd.