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An important foundation of a strong agricultural country is the virtuous cycle of the agricultural production system, and the beef cattle industry is the pivotal industry that guarantees the virtuous cycle of China's agricultural production system. Farmers are the main force of beef cattle breeding in China, and livelihood capital is an important basis for influencing farmers' breeding decisions. The measurement and evaluation of the livelihood capital of beef cattle farmers in China can help to comprehensively grasp the current level and structural characteristics of the livelihood capital of beef cattle farmers in China. In this study, the entropy value method and Delphi method were used to determine the weights of each evaluation index, and on this basis, the level, structure, and coupling coordination of farmers' livelihood capital were measured and classified. The study shows that the overall level of livelihood capital of beef cattle farmers is low; the level and structure of livelihood capital show an uneven phenomenon, and the level of livelihood capital of farmers in different regions and different modes differ significantly. The coupling coordination degree among various measurements of livelihood capital of beef cattle farmers in China is also low, which indicates that a good coordination relationship between various types of livelihood capital has not been formed, which may affect the efficiency of resource allocation. It is suggested to improve the livelihood capital level and coupling coordination among beef cattle farmers and improve the livelihood capital structure of farmers by innovating financial tools, developing forage resources, strengthening technical training and extension, and improving policy support for the beef cattle industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to effectively solve the current problems such as lack of intelligence and scale in beef cattle breeding industry, and designed a new beef cattle feeding system based on internet of things technology. Based on whole process of beef cattle feeding, the beef cattle feeding system was deeply explored from two parts: Hardware design and platform design, mainly involving main control module, data information conversion module, environmental sensing module, automatic ingredient module and automatic recharge module, covering beef cattle identification, environmental detection and other links. The results showed that the beef cattle feeding system based on internet of things technology can significantly improve the beef cattle feeding efficiency and economic benefits. The experiment indicates that the beef cattle feeding system based on internet of things technology has strong practicability and autonomy, which can provide reference for large-scale beef cattle breeding application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review seeks to analyse and prioritise needs and gaps in research and development (R&D) for the north Australian beef cattle breeding industry, and to advise on options to increase rates of adoption and successful implementation of this R&D. The material reviewed includes the peer-reviewed literature as well as industry reports and other relevant publications in three targeted areas of R&D deemed to be important by industry leaders and supporting scientists: (i) breeding herd management, (ii) feedbase management, and (iii) management of environmental sustainability. For breeding herd management, the need for uniform definition and consistent utilisation of appropriate productivity metrics is highlighted, with emphasis on assessment of maternal reproductive efficiency in terms of weaning (or branding) rates. Priority is given to the urgent need for reliable means of remotely assessing causes of neonatal calf mortality to enable the development and application of management interventions that improve calf survival rates. The highest priority for feedbase management is to increase producer awareness and willingness to adopt stocking rates that are appropriately matched to the long-term carrying capacity of native rangeland pastures that predominate in northern Australia. Other opportunities include increasing the use of perennial, tropically adapted legumes, where conditions permit, to improve soil fertility and nitrogen intake of cattle, and devising strategies to overcome widespread phosphorus deficiency through diagnosis and supplementation, especially in the wet season. In order to enhance environmental sustainability in the face of climate change, priorities include improving producer awareness and use of increasingly robust tools for predicting key weather events, as well as developing genetic strategies to increase heat tolerance of cattle and evaluating management interventions to mitigate heat stress. Conclusions drawn from these sections are summarised and used to make recommendations on priorities for increasing adoption of existing research-proven practices and technologies, and for further R&D on selected topics. Beef cattle production is the most important agricultural sector in northern Australia. This review addresses concerns about the low rate of adoption of research-proven practices to improve reproductive performance in northern breeding herds. Needs and gaps in research and development are analysed, and options to increase adoption and implementation of research outcomes are recommended, in three targeted areas: breeding herd management, feedbase management, and management of environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of dairy steers to the U.S. fed beef supply has increased from 6.9% to 16.3% over the last two decades; in part, due to declining beef cow numbers and the increased use of sexed dairy semen to produce genetically superior replacement heifers from the best dairy cows. Raising dairy cattle for beef production offers unique opportunities and challenges when compared with feeding cattle from beef breeds. Dairy steers offer predictable and uniform finishing cattle performance (ADG, DMI, G:F) as a group and more desirable quality grades on average compared with their beef steer counterparts. However, dairy steers have lesser dressing percentages and yield 2%–12% less red meat compared with beef steers due to a greater ratio of bone to muscle, internal fat, organ size, and gastrointestinal tract weight. In addition, carcasses from dairy steers can present problems in the beef packing industry, with Holstein carcasses being longer and Jersey carcasses being lighter weight than carcasses from beef breeds. Beef × dairy crossbreeding strategies are being implemented on some dairy farms to increase the income generated from dairy bull calves, while beef × dairy crossbreeding strategies can also improve the G:F and red meat yield of beef produced from the U.S. dairy herd. This alternative model of beef production from the dairy herd is not without its challenges and has resulted in variable results thus far. Successful adoption of beef × dairy crossbreeding in the cattle industry will depend on the proper selection of beef sires that excel in calving ease, growth, muscling, and marbling traits to complement the dairy genetics involved in beef production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding performance of beef cattle is the key factor that determines the development of beef cattle industry, which can affect the economic benefits of beef cattle breeding industry. In the process of breeding, the reproductive performance of beef cattle is closely related to genetic, nutritional and environmental factors. The paper reviews the main factors affecting the reproductive performance of beef cattle, puts forward reasonable solutions to improve the reproductive performance of beef cattle, to improve the fecundity of beef cattle and provide a reference for realizing the efficient production of beef cattle and promoting the sustainable development of local animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with transformations in beef cattle breeding practices in North America from 1950 to 2000, and the implication of these changes across the Western world. It was a period of profound adjustment for beef cattle breeders, involving battles over genetic defects, the importation of new breeds, changing standards in relation to husbandry, and the extension of quantitative genetic breeding practices. These innovations would be echoed across Europe in the production of beef cattle and would also interact with the way dairy cattle were bred. This article explains the upheaval in beef breeding between 1950 and 2000, as well as how that upheaval affected dairy cattle breeding. Changes in beef breeding, in effect, modified the functioning of the entire cattle breeding world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scrotal circumference (SC) is considered a useful tool for predicting age at puberty and is performed to improve the reproductive performance in beef cattle industry. We aimed to fit several nonlinear mixed models for SC measurements of five different breeds to better predict testicular growth. Data of SC (cm), body weight (BW; kg), and age (A; days), farm location, sire and dam, and birth dates of 169,094 beef bulls were collected from five breeds: Nelore (N) (n = 110,814); Angus (AA) (n = 6541); Brangus (BA) (n = 42,910); Polled Hereford and Hereford (HH) (n = 4640); and Braford (BH) (n = 7480). Data comprise a total of 8640 sires and 115,172 dams and grouped in 2908 contemporary groups (CG). The full model development for SC was defined as: SC = CG + A + A*A + BW + BW*BW + Ɛ. Bulls from HH (34.1 ± 3.2) and AA (33.5 ± 3.0) had the highest value of SC, followed by BH (32.2 ± 3.7), BA (30.6 ± 4.1), and N (26.9 ± 3.6). There was a curvilinear effect of BW on the SC measurements of HH and AA bulls, reaching the maximum point around 600 kg, whether both breeds presented a similar testicular growth pattern. In British breeds, inflection points of average daily SC growth of 0.039 and 0.042 cm/kg were obtained from 700 kg HH and 600 kg AA bulls, respectively. Scrotal circumference values of 0.042 and 0.046 cm/kg reaching the maximum growth point at 450 kg BW were obtained for BH and BA bulls, respectively. We also observed SC values of 0.044 and 0.048 cm/d reaching the maximum growth point at 550 d of age for BH and BA bulls, respectively. Thus, estimate testicular size at maturity should be measured between 500 and 600 kg BW in British genotypes and between 550 and 600 d in Bos indicus and crossbreeds animals. Therefore, SC adjustment can be used by breed-specific criteria associated with BW and/or age to determine testis growth as a selection criterion in beef cattle breeding programs. • Estimation of SC measurements of five different breeds to better predict testicular growth. • In British genotypes, SC should be measured between 500 and 600 kg of BW. • In Bos indicus and their crosses, SC should be measured between the age of 550 and 600 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) is the world's third largest producer of beef. This contributes to the economy, rural development, social life, culture and gastronomy of Europe. The diversity of breeds, animal types (cows, bulls, steers, heifers) and farming systems (intensive, extensive on permanent or temporary pastures, mixed, breeders, feeders, etc) is a strength, and a weakness as the industry is often fragmented and poorly connected. There are also societal concerns regarding animal welfare and environmental issues, despite some positive environmental impacts of farming systems. The EU is amongst the most efficient for beef production as demonstrated by a relative low production of greenhouse gases. Due to regional differences in terms of climate, pasture availability, livestock practices and farms characteristics, productivity and incomes of beef producers vary widely across regions, being among the lowest of the agricultural systems. The beef industry is facing unprecedented challenges related to animal welfare, environmental impact, origin, authenticity, nutritional benefits and eating quality of beef. These may affect the whole industry, especially its farmers. It is therefore essential to bring the beef industry together to spread best practice and better exploit research to maintain and develop an economically viable and sustainable beef industry. Meeting consumers' expectations may be achieved by a better prediction of beef palatability using a modelling approach, such as in Australia. There is a need for accurate information and dissemination on the benefits and issues of beef for human health and for environmental impact. A better objective description of goods and services derived from livestock farming is also required. Putting into practice "agroecology" and organic farming principles are other potential avenues for the future. Different future scenarios can be written depending on the major driving forces, notably meat consumption, climate change, environmental policies and future organization of the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Senepol cattle, brought to Colombia in 2003, were spread nationally by embryo transfer and artificial insemination. Its high growth grade requires the use of statistical models to gather summary information in order to establish production, feeding and management strategies. Objective. To evaluate the growth of the economically important tissues (bone, muscleand fat). Materials and methods. Growth curves in Colombian Senepol cattle were analyzed from bovinemetric and ultrasound measurements, in real time, in 217 animals between 7 and 30 months of age. This work was performed in the 33 farms registered in the Colombian association of Senepol growers (Asociación Colombiana de Criadores de Senepol, ASOSENEPOL), located in 9 provinces. Information about living weight (PV), height to cross (AC), distance between ilium and ilium (II), distance between ilium and ischium (IIS), distance between ischium and ischium (ISIS), thoracic perimeter (PT), body length (LC), loin eye area (AOL) and rump fat thickness (EGC) was gathered. Those variables were analyzed by the use of linear generalized models by sex, including the effects of the farm and the age of the animal (linear and quadratic effect). Results. For all of the variables analyzed, the effect of the farm was highly significant (p<0.01), and the linear and quadratic effect of the age was highly significant (p<0.01) on the weight and the thoracic perimeter of the females. The other variables had a significant linear effect (p<0.05). Conclusion. To describe the growth characteristics from weaning to 30 months of age, first degree polynomial models can be used for the variables PV, AOL, ECG, AC, I-I, I-IS, IS-IS, P T and L C in males and AC, I-I, I-IS, IS-IS in females, and a second degree polynomial model can be used to describe the PV and PT characteristics in females. It is evident that Senepol cattle can be considered as a race with an adequate growth in the Colombian tropical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of marker assisted selection in the beef cattle industry to date has involved using traditional EPD in tandem with molecular test information. In the current study, a multiple-trait simulation was carried out to create a beef cattle data set using genetic parameter estimates from the literature to identify the best procedure for combining both sources of information and to assess the added benefit of the procedure. To reach these objectives, the following simulation/analysis steps were implemented: (1) varying percentages (100, 5, or 0) of available records for the trait of interest, (2) varying percentages (100, 50, 25, or 0) of animals with molecular information, (3) scenarios where the favorable (F) or the unfavorable (U) allele was more frequent, and (4) analysis of the response due to selection over 5 generations. The data sets included 3 correlated traits in which 2 of them, birth weight and postweaning gain, had complete recording and the availability of records for the third trait (marbling score) varied. It was further assumed that molecular information was available for the third trait for a causative gene that explained 10% of the genetic variation. Estimates of Pearson correlations between true and predicted breeding values for marbling score declined as the amount of information declined, and instances in which the molecular information was recorded were always closer to the true values than in the case in which the molecular information was absent. When the U allele was more frequent, rank correlation estimates were increased among top sires, low accuracy sires, and high accuracy sires by approximately 24.9, 12.1, and 4.7% with limited marbling score records and complete genotyping compared with limited marbling score records and no genotyping. Similar results were seen when the F allele was more frequent. When there was a complete absence of recording for the trait of interest, the same trends in correlations were observed and were lower than when the trait of interest was recorded. Jointly considering molecular and phenotypic information showed a greater long-term response compared with tandem selection, showing that discrimination of candidates for selection based solely on molecular information is not optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the change of Longhorn to White-faced Herefords cattle farming in the Great Plains, U.S. It is reported that beef cattle are a dominant feature in the Great Plains and the Longhorns were used in great numbers to populate the area, while Herefords dominate the cattle industry in the western U.S. In addition, Longhorn was replaced and bred off to a more efficient and more uniform type of beef animal the Hereford.