ABSTRACT
The development of any breed or type through a designed genetic breeding program is a long-range project. Many breeders of registered purebred beef cattle have started a program of intense selection with line-breeding and have suddenly found that the industry has changed goals. The criterion for assuring the longevity of the breeding program is to design a program based on improvement in biologically variable traits that have economic value to the consumer, processor, or commercial producer. The practice allows the commercial producer to continue to purchase bulls from the same source without loss of hybrid vigor in the herd. The composite seed stock producer will be continuously introducing new germ plasm to maintain heterosis. The commercial producer may use composite bulls and save heifers that are 1/2 composite to place in a herd. When these heifers are mated back to composite bulls, the producer will begin to realize the major benefits of this program that has primarily emphasized reproduction.
