Marbling....a maternal trait?

Apparently this was is not discussable?

what does maternal mean?

what are non-maternal traits? 

does a maternal bull look masculine?

does a non-maternal bull look less masculine?

The beef scientist was using longevity as his main definition of maternal. The number one goal was to have a calf every year for many years. His point was that cows can store up marbling and external fat. Then in a dry year they use up this spare energy to rebreed, milk and etc.. Then they can re store energy if it rains again. The guy I heard talk claimed that the "harder keeping" cow would be a poorer marbling cow. I was never sure that external fat and marbling were the same deal but they would be compatable traits. Whereas a big rea line of cattle is a waste of time for a maternal breed. A maternal breed could select for marbling ability and easy keeping ability. Then when a terminal line is used on these cows they could contribute marbling excellence to the offspring.

Is milk a growth trait or a maternal trait. If it takes supplementation to get this increased milk level.......wouldn't it be above and beyond what was needed......be more costly....to improve the growth rates?