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Age and Weight at Puberty and Conception in Different Breeds and Breed-Crosses of Beef Heifers¹

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933

Abstract

AGE at puberty is an important criterion evaluating a breed or breed-cross that will be useful for beef production under current management systems. Studies have been conducted to determine the age at which certain breeds and crosses reach puberty (Menge et al., 1960; Reynolds, DeRouen and High, 1963; Wiltbank et al., 1966; Short and Bellows, 1971). However, there is little information on age at puberty in breed-crosses from some of the breeds which are currently being used in beef cattle crossbreeding programs.

The opportunity to utilize new breed resources has increased the interest in artificial insemination (AI) among beef producers. I is evident that conception rate to AI is lower than conception to natural mating and the specific reasons for this depression are not well defined. Since cows and heifers are usually detected in standing estrus at some time after the beginning of the estrus and heifers have a shorter estrus period than cows (Trimberger, 1944), the general practice of inseminating approximately 10 hr. after the detection of standing estrus may be too late for maximum conception rate in heifers.

¹ The cooperation of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is acknowledged.

² U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S., U.S.D.A.

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