While most producers understand and appreciate the fact that heterosis (also known as hybrid vigor) exists and can improve their operations’ bottom lines, the question remains in many minds: Where exactly does heterosis come from?

I recently had a conversation with a gentleman contemplating purchasing a bull who was concerned that the prospective bull may be a carrier for a genetic defect. This led to a conversation on simply inherited traits and how DNA testing plays a big role in selecting against genetic defects.

Here’s a confession that hopefully doesn’t alienate me too much from you serious cattlemen and women out there: Whenever I get my hands on a sire directory from one of the semen sales companies, I flip straight to the club calf section. 

Whether we are looking to purchase a new truck, determine how much hay will be needed for the winter or decide which NFL team is favored to win the Super Bowl, we use information to make those decisions.

Heifer genotyping is a tool producers can use according to their needs. For example, it can be used to better assess the commercial value of the top heifers or cows in the herd, or to decide which bulls to use for mating.