J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1971. 33:7-12.
© 1971 American Society of Animal Science
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Body Measurements of Beef Calves and Traits of their Dams to Predict Calf Performance and Body Composition as Indicated by Fat Thickness and Condition Score1

W. L. Brown2 and R. R. Shrode

University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901

Abstract

Six linear body measurements, traits indicative of body composition and certain performance traits of 74 Angus bull calves and 84 Angus heifer calves, recorded at weaning, were studied to assess their usefulness in predicting postweaning average daily gain (ADG), lifetime ADG (from birth to end of test at approximately 1 year) and fat thickness (measured ultrasonically at end of postweaning period). Prediction equations were constructed by a stepwise regression procedure. Weaning traits that could enter the equations as independent variables included age, weight, hearth girth, back length, rump length, total length (sum of back, loin and rump length), type score, condition score and fat thickness measured ultrasonically between the 12th and 13th ribs. Various combinations of the body measurements and body composition traits explained significantly (P<.05) more variation in postweaning ADG, lifetime ADG and final fat thickness than was explained by weaning weight and age alone. For bulls, the increases in R2 were 0.239, 0.113 and 0.207, respectively. The corresponding relative predictive values (for the complete models as compared to those including only weight and age as independent variables) are respectively 1.64, 1.08 and 1.47 for the bull equations and 1.88, 1.06 and 1.47 for the heifer equations. The addition of traits of the dam (weight and condition score and linear, squared and cubed forms of change in weight and condition during the pasture season) to the equation, after entering the calf traits, generally did not result in significant (P<.05) increases in the R2 values for equations to predict the dependent variables. Lifetime ADG of bulls and final fat thickness of heifers were exceptions.

Footnotes

1 Published with permission of the Dean, University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, Knoxville.

2 Deceased, November 25, 1970. Assistant Professor of Animal Science, University of Kentuclor, Lexington.






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Copyright © 1971 by the American Society of Animal Science.