Piedmontese bulls have proven to be ideal for crossbreeding because of the premium that is being paid for crossbred calves sired by Piedmontese bulls.  Ideal for the commercial cattleman at his/her local market because the muscling on the calves is an advantage in the feedlot and the higher weaning weights because muscle weighs twice as much as fat.  Ideal for the commercial cattleman who sells his/her crossbred Piedmontese calves to the certified Piedmontese meat program because of the percent above choice market price being paid for the calves entered into the certified meat program for the production of "Better Beef".

    It is important to note that the Piedmontese influence is so great on crossbred  calves out of Piedmontese bulls that even one half blood calves and less are inheriting the superior Piedmontese carcass characteristics.  The majority of Piedmontese crossbred calves inherit one copy of the myostatin allele gene (the gene that produces a superior carcass) from full blood, purebred and percentage Piedmontese bulls which carry two copies of the myostatin allele gene.  These crossbred calves carrying one copy of the myostatin allele gene yield approximately seven percent more beef with fourteen percent less fat then typical cattle.  It is this gene found in the Piedmontese breed that is the key to producing the superior carcass.  Normally all full blood Piedmontese cattle carry two copies of the myostatin allele gene as well as some of the purebred and percentage Piedmontese cattle.  The crossbred calf most suited for entering the certified Piedmontese program will carry one copy of the gene and Piedmontese bulls most suited for producing the crossbred calf will carry two copies of the gene.  

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