Terminal crossbreeding

Terminal crossbreeding is a breeding system used in animal production. It involves two (different) breeds of animal that have been crossbred. The female offspring is then mated with a male (the terminal male) of the third breed producing the terminal crossbred animal.^[1]

The first crossbreed produce a superior animal due to hybrid vigor. Often this crossbreed is part of a rotational crossbreeding scheme, it is then called a rotaterminal crossbreeding system if it incorporates terminal crossbreeding. By mating the crossbreed with a third breed farther enhances hybrid vigor.^[2]

See also

• Artificial selection
• Dog hybrids and crossbreeds
• Heterosis
• Purebred
• Selective breeding
• Outcross

References

1. Terminal and Rotaterminal Crossbreeding Systems for Pork Producers University of Missouri, Columbia Mo.
2. Should Replacement Gilts be Raised or Purchased? North Carolina state university, North Carolina