Performance, quality and adaptation

Performance is not everything.

Products must achieve quality standards to enter certain markets. Currently beef quality in Latin America is mainly defined by the percentage of zebu genetics and the age. However, more precise and objective quality measures will be introduced as soon as export markets which strong focus on quality traits will be opened. In anticipation breeders selecting on quality traits can achieve an advantage.

Animals must also be adapted to their production environment. Particularly in tropical environments animals must be able to cope with heat and parasites. Performance and product quality of non adapted animals is poor. But even non adapted breeds which are used as bulls for crossing only, lack of adaption means bad working bulls- with consequences of pregnancy rates in cows. Adaptation must therefore be included into breeding programs.

Selection of either trait must be based on accurate phenotypes which should be measured under field conditions and not in “cabaña” type artificial environments.