Twinning in Beef Cattle: an Opportunity to Improve Reproductive and Economic Efficiency of Beef Production?

The possibility of improving the rate of reproduction in beef cattle by selection for an increased rate of twinning has been debated with both pessimism and optimism since the early days of animal breeding. The success of selection for multiple births in sheep lifted hopes that a similar program for cattle would also be successful. Pearl (1912) wrote, “From the standpoint of practical breeder it is slightly important that the phenomenon of multiple gestation in normally uniparous animals be carefully studied. Any definite and heritable increase in the fecundity and fertility of the domestic animals, if it can be gained without loss of other desirable qualities, is greatly to be desired. Cases of multiple gestation are the ‘favorable variations’, which must serve as the foundations for the creation of more fertile breeds and races.”