But since he is a steer -- a neutered male -- he will never pass his superior genes along.

At least not by traditional means.

In theory, Trigger's genetic twin could take top prize at the Stock Show.

Cloning has become a reality in the beef business. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve food from cloned animals in the next year, and word recently came down that when it does, it won't require special labels alerting consumers about whether products came from a clone.

There have been a number of headline-grabbing cloning successes across the livestock spectrum, but the cloning question has yet to arise in the show ring.

Breeders and exhibitors have differing opinions on the issue. Stock Show officials, meanwhile, say it's too early to consider how cloning could affect livestock shows like theirs.

Source: Star-Telegram