What Is an F1 Heifer?

Crossbreeding is a useful tool for the beef producer. There are nearly 100 cattle breeds in the United States. Cattlemen often cross them to create unique cowherds with the traits they want. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the highest-quality cross produced is the F1 Heifer--Black Angus cow crossed with a Gray Brahman registered bull.

  1. Black Angus

    • Angus cattle are black or red and genetically polled--always born hornless. Smaller and finer than Herefords, Angus is known for ease in calving, since they give birth to small calves. This characteristic makes them popular for crossbreeding with larger, heavy-muscled cattle. Angus is noted for early maturity, marbling of meat and motherliness. Angus cows are aggressive in protecting their calves and give more milk than Herefords.

    Brahman

    • Brahman cattle originated in India and are easily recognized by the large hump over the neck and shoulders, loose floppy skin on the dewlap and under the belly, large droopy ears and horns that curve up and back. Brahmans do well in the southern part of North America, because they can withstand heat and are resistant to ticks and other hot-climate insects. They are large cattle, but the calves are small at birth and grow rapidly, because the cows give lots of rich milk. Brahmans come in a variety of colors; however, the gray Brahman bull is used to produce the F1 heifer.

    Hybrid Vigor

    • The most effective genetic advantage in cattle breeding is hybrid vigor, which results when two animals that are different breeds mate. Hybrid vigor--displayed by the offspring of such parents--increases fertility, milk production and lifespan of cows and the robustness and health of young calves. With careful crossbreeding, the rancher can develop crossbred cows, which will do better than the parent cows.

    Composites

    • Composite cattle are created from different breeds that have been blended into a uniform type of crossbred. Several composites have been created in the past 20 years, and new ones are being formed all the time. Nearly every breed registered today began as a composite. The F1 heifer is an example of successful composites.

    Characteristics of F1 Heifers

    • F1 Heifers are ideal for southern American climates. Their genetics make them resistant to disease and parasites. Additionally, they are able to digest poor quality forages while gaining maximum weight. As noted by the USDA, F1 calves typically have a lower birth weight but higher weaning weight than other crosses. In addition, fewer cows required assistance during birth, resulting in a higher survival rate of the calves.