Page 5 - Central Montana Tarentaise Bull Online Auction – Ending April 29, 2022

Tarentaise - The Breed You Need!

University Research on the Tarentaise Breed

Several prestigious agricultural research stations have conducted lengthy projects on Tarentaise and Tarentaise-
cross cattle. The results of these projects validate the importance of the breed to the industry.

• South Dakota State University found Tarentaise x • A study from Oregon State University involving
Hereford to be 10% more feed efficient than other Hereford, Angus, Simmental, Pinzgauer and
breeds studied (straight Hereford, Simmental x Tarentaise breeds concluded, “All three European
Hereford and Angus x Hereford). They also found breeds transmitted genes for heavier weaning
that the difference between an efficient cow and weights to their calves, compared to Hereford and
an inefficient cow will remain essentially the same Angus. The Tarentaise accomplished this without
regardless of the bull to which they are bred. increasing calf birth weight above that of the Angus
• Also at South Dakota State, a study indicated that cattle in the experiment.”
Tarentaise-cross cattle had the highest cutability, • Studies conducted at the U.S. Meat Animal
least fat cover and tied for the largest ribeye with Research Center at Clay Center, Nebraska, have
the lowest total cow-calf feed requirement for each consistently shown Tarentaise wean calves heavier
retail pound produced. than Hereford x Angus, while being compared to
• The U.S. Range and Livestock Experiment Station Simmental-cross cows.
at Miles City, Montana, has found that Tarentaise • A study done by the Department of Animal
not only produce a high level of milk, they also milk Sciences, University of Hawaii at Monoa, noted
at high levels for a longer lactation than the other that the crossbred and composite cows had calves
breeds tested. with higher average daily gains than straight-bred

• The Miles City research also showed that the Angus, Hereford or Santa Gertrudis cattle. The
Tarentaise x Hereford heifers had less calving advantage was partially explained by the extra milk
difficulty and larger pelvic measurements than the production associated with adding Tarentaise.
straight Hereford and Hereford x Red Angus heifers
in the study.

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