Final answer:
Terminal sires are used on mature cows to produce offspring with desired market-oriented traits, such as growth rate or meat quality. It is important to select a sire with compatible traits and to manage the breeding program to prevent health issues and ensure easy calving.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the use of terminal sires on mature cows in various commercial breeding scenarios. A terminal sire is a male animal that is bred with females to produce offspring that are primarily used for market purposes, often emphasizing specific traits like growth rate or meat quality.
When using a terminal sire on mature cows, it is important to consider aspects such as the compatibility of the sire with the cows, the desired traits in the offspring, and the overall management of the breeding program. For instance, one would select a terminal sire with strong carcass traits if the end goal is to produce animals for slaughter that have a high market value. However, it is also crucial to ensure that the sire is a good match for the cows to facilitate easy calving and minimize potential health issues.