Yes, if the crossbreeding program is managed correctly. Crossbreeding allows producers to take advantage of heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, and breed complementarity. Hybrid vigor is greatest when crossing two parents of different breeds. Hybrid vigor is not produced by mating parents from divergent lines within a breed of cattle. Hybrid vigor provides the greatest improvement in traits that are lowly heritable such as fertility and longevity. Great care should be taken in the design and implementation of a crossbreeding system to ensure that cows are optimally matched to their production environment and retained hybrid vigor. Sires can be chosen to target calves to the marketplace. Hybrid vigor can produce increased fertility, increased survivability, improved animal health, and increased growth.
The key to a successful crossbreeding program is to select breeds of cattle that will complement each other. Breed complementarity describes the selection of breeds that fit together well and fill each other’s gaps in performance. To that end, select breeds that will improve economically important traits determined by your marketing and replacement selection strategy. It is also important to give thought to the type of crossbreeding program that will be selected. Examples of crossbreeding systems include a two-breed rotation, a three-breed rotation, use of composite or hybrids, and a two-breed rotation crossed with a terminal sire. All of these systems have advantages and disadvantages. Analyze your operation carefully before selecting a system.
