Using the entire diversity

Heterosis- or hybrid vigour- is “the bread of the cattle breeder”. Hybrids are generally much more fertile, grow faster and are more resistant than pure breed animals. In most traits heterosis reaches 20% or more, but calculated in economic terms the effect can reach 50%. With other words: half of the economic success depends on “producing the right hybrid”. An optimization of hybrid vigour is therefore of outmost importance.

To achieve this the complete diversity of cattle genetics must be used. Cattle can be classified in three different breed groups which probably originate in the domestication of three different types of wild aurochs: The European Bos taurus, the African Bos taurus and the Zebu (Bos indicus). A fourth distinctive group emerged out of hybridisation between African Bos taurus and Bos indicus, the African Sanga.

Optimized hybrids will always consist in crosses among these four groups. However, to date most crosses in South America are based on European Bos taurus x Bos indicus hybrids alone. An inclusion of African genetics into existing cross-breeding programs could significantly improve heterosis.