The reasons for linebreeding are to genetically concentrate specific genetic traits, characteristics and production needs. This gene pool (herd) concentration is especially important in the herd sires.

As I have previously discussed, building a maternal gene pool is cheap and easy with crossbreeding. However, building a paternal gene pool requires a level of incestuous type breeding.

Incestuous breeding will line up the unwanted recessive genes in the progeny produced, and therefore demands a strict selection procedure for the replacements females that are put back in the herd and far greater selection pressure on the sire.
This necessity for stringent culling means it is more expensive. This expense was the value foundation for seedstock bringing a premium price over commercially bred cattle.

Crossbred and out-crossed seedstock do not have a similar value basis for seeking a premium price and are genetically worth no more than commercial cattle.

Breeding a sire to a group of his own daughters is the best way to test the progress, strength and success of a paternal breeding program. With the paternal family (male and female) established the daughters that come from a linebred paternal breeding program should be better than their mothers.

The paternal linebred females (helpmates) will possess the type of genetic makeup required to assist the sire in producing the desired performance, herd and breed characteristics needed and for the utilization of grass, performance and quality of product.

The females produced (third or fourth generation) in a paternal linebreeding management program can be breed to their uncles, cousins sired by their father, possibly to their half brothers and sometime to their grandfathers.

There should be at least four or more female paternal family lines established in this gene pool by the same sire so the possibility of genetic repression in future generations could be avoided by selecting bulls from the different females. The possibility of genetic repression after four to six generations should be guarded against with much wisdom and vigilance.
Remember you cannot create new genes.

You concentrate the ones you have in your sire through the paternal dams. It is only through this method that you can change the progeny produced.

Also, remember in the future after the paternal gene pool is established if there is need for change you must find an outside female with the desired characteristics and introduce her to the paternal sire with characteristics the closest to your needs.
You never bring in an outside sire!

The most important thing in beginning a linebreeding program is the sire you choose to begin the gene pool with.
Starting with a superior bull (mostly through AI) is a must for building the type of animal, production, utilization of grass and quality of food product you expect.

If possible purchase an already established paternal linebred bull to begin your gene pool with. This will save a lot of time.
While all of this sounds like a lot of work - and it is - it is the only way to get the predictability we need for a premium-priced grassfed meat product. Most of us have good maternal cowherds. What we need is a BULL!

I have no doubt that most ranchers will not want to make this effort and will prefer to buy their bulls from the few who will. That’s what makes a market.

However, you need to realize that such an animal will not come cheap.
Solutions to intractable problems never do.

I predict those few who are willing to go to the time and expense to create paternally powerful bulls will be richly rewarded for their efforts.
 
Gearld Fry
193 Fry Rd.
Rose Bud, AR   72137
Telephone - 501-454-3252