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Effects of Calf Sex and Age of Dam on Pre- and Post-Weaning Performance of Calves from an Angus-Holstein Crossbred Herd¹

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of calf sex and age of dam on growth rate of calves from beef-dairy F₁ dams. Data were collected over a 7-year period on 422 steers and 389 heifers from Polled Hereford or Angus sires and Angus-Holstein F₁ cows. The 120- and 205-day weights were actual weights taken from monthly weighings closest to the respective ages. Weights were also obtained at weaning (289 to 312 days). The steers and heifers were slaughtered at 467 and 415 kg, respectively. Least-squares analyses were applied with calf sex, age of dam and the two-factor interaction nested within year-season-breed classes. Sex was significant (P<.01) for 120-, 205- and 305-day weights and carcass weight per day of age. Age of dam effects were highly significant (P<.01) for 120-, 205- and 305-day weights and significant (P<.05) for carcass weight per day of age. Increased calf weight and carcass weight per day of age was associated with increased dam age during early years of production and a subsequent decrease in weight after 9 years of age. With the exception of correction factors for 2-, 3-, 10-and 11-year-old dam classes, multiplicative age of dam and sex correction factors agreed closely with the U.S. Beef Cattle Records Committee (1965). The sex x age of dam interaction was a nonsignificant source of variation for all characters.

¹ Approved for publication by the Director, Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station; Paper No. 4129 of the Journal Series; authorized for publication on January 31, 1972.

² This work represents a portion of a M.S. Thesis by the senior author.

³ Appreciation is extended to several beef cattle breeders for partial financial support and to the personnel of the State Correctional Institution at Rockview for cooperation in this study.