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Mating Systems

The methods used by animal breeders to control reproduction and improve genetic quality.

Inbreeding

Mating of animals that are more closely related than the average of the breed or population.

Outbreeding

Mating of animals that are not as closely related as the average of the population.

Intensive Inbreeding

Mating of closely related animals whose ancestors have been inbred for several generations.

Linebreeding

A mild form of inbreeding where inbreeding is kept relatively low while maintaining a high genetic relationship to an ancestor.

Homozygosity

The presence of the same alleles at a gene locus in both chromosomes.

Heterosis

The increase in productivity in crossbred progeny above the average of the breeds.

Composite Breeds

Breeds formed by combining features from multiple breeds, such as Brangus and Beefmaster.

Grading Up

Continuous use of purebred sires of the same breed to improve offspring qualities.

Crossbreeding

Mating of animals from different established breeds to take advantage of breed complementation.

Outcrossing

Mating of unrelated animals within the same breed to maximize heterozygosity.

Gene Pair

Two alleles at a locus, one inherited from each parent.

Seedstock Breeders

Producers that typically raise registered, purebred animals for breeding purposes.

Commercial Producers

Producers that often produce crossbred animals for slaughter rather than breeding.

Heritability

The proportion of observed variation in a trait that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors.

Breed Complementation

The ability of two different breeds to enhance the strengths and weaknesses of one another in offspring.