BeefTalk: An evolving beef industryThe beef industry is
evolving, and so are beef cattle. This is the time of year when
producers buy bulls, and every bull that is turned out to cows
contributes to the evolving beef industry. By: Kris Ringwall,
NDSU Extension Service The beef industry is evolving, and so are
beef cattle. This is the time of year when producers buy bulls,
and every bull that is turned out to cows contributes to the
evolving beef industry. Why do beef cattle evolve? The process
is long, but continuous, just like her selection. Selection, in
the short term, ends with the purchase of a bull. In reality,
the newly purchased bull will add genes to the breed and
ultimately make a genetic contribution within the herd and very
likely within the breed as a whole. Genes do not stay put. As
replacement cattle are moved around in the industry, their genes
move, too. Cattle house their genes on 60 chromosomes. These 60
chromosomes carry the genetic materials that make cattle what
they are. If one might be