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The Breeding History of an Experimental Herd of Dwarf Beef Cattle^{1, 2, 3,}

Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station

Abstract

The history of a herd of dwarf Herefords used in beef cattle breeding research was compiled. It was found that dwarf males and females could be used as research subjects although the aberration imposed the following limitations:

1. The mortality rate was high in both sexes, but the causes of death and ages at which death occurred were variable.
   
2. A relatively high incidence of bloat was noted. This somtimes resulted in death.
   
3. The dwarf bulls, in the performance of natural services, were hampered by their short stature, lack of muscular coordination, and paunchiness. A breeding chute or breeding pit was usually required when phenotypically normal females were bred.
   
4. The dwarf females did not conceive readily. This was particularly true of virgin heifers.
   
5. Difficult parturitions were characteristic of the aberrant females and usually resulted in the death of the offspring. To reduce calf mortality at birth, caesarean section may be the desirable method of delivery.
   

¹ Approved for publication as Technical Paper No. 357 by the Director of the Arizona Agr. Exp. Sta., Tucson.

² Contribution from the Western Regional Beef Cattle Research Project W-l, which is a cooperative research program involving all of the Western State Experiment Stations and the U.S.D.A.

³ The authors express gratitude for the dwarf animals contributed by cooperating breeders, for the financial assistance and records supplied by the American Hereford Association, and for the efforts of Mr. Dan W. Clarke of Tucson in obtaining some of the experimental stock required. The veterinary assistance of Drs. W. J. Pistor, V. H. Fisher, and R. E. Reed is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks are extended to Mr. T. P. Jardine for a study of the dwarf pedigrees.