Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
All factors, when trying to excel, are important.

Livestock producers have proven that selective breeding(genetics) pays off. That is undeniable. They make sure that there are no mutts in the mix and eliminate those that don't improve the strain.

I'll betcha that I could stock a pond with Bruces and/or Georges BG and another one with mine. If I feed them the same and pay equal attention to water quality, the "selected" pond will out produce the non selected.

BTW, the Texas Share A Lunker program has proven the value of fish genetics.


I agree with Dave. You want superior genetics ideally but you also want to have the right conditions for those genetics to excel. For example, there are two different cattle. A has average genetics. B has superior genetics. Put them in the same conditions with plenty of food and correct care. It is not unreasonable to say A would gain 2 pounds/day and B would gain 3.5 pounds/day. Over time, this makes up a large change in growth. Same school of thought can be applied to fish. That is why there is a large demand for superior genetics and the cost is more.