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Evaluating Post-Weaning Gain of Beef Calves¹

University of Nebraska and United States Department of Agriculture

Abstract

Weaning and post-weaning growth data and scores taken from 200 to 550 days of age on 1671 beef calves were included in the analysis. Age of dam had no appreciable effect on post-weaning gain or score. Thus, post-weaning weights were adjusted using the same age of dam adjustments used for weaning weight. The age of the calf at weaning had an effect on post-weaning average daily gains and scores and weaning score. The average daily gain of heifers and steers decreased at an earlier age than bulls suggesting that, under the management regimes studied, heifers and steers plateau in growth rate at an earlier age than bulls. The heifers and steers were on a lower level of energy intake than the bulls in this study.

Pooled estimates of heritability for weaning weight, 396-day weight and 550-day weight were 0.28±0.08, 0.45±0.09 and 0.53±0.09, respectively. Pooled estimates of heritability for weaning score and 550-day score were 0.53±0.09 and 0.47±0.09, respectively.

¹ Published with approval of the Director as Paper No. 1321, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Contribution from the North Central Regional Project NC-1, Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods.

² Beef Cattle Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, Agricultural Research Service.