J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1973. 36:7-10.
© 1973 American Society of Animal Science
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Heterosis for Most Probable Producing Ability in Hereford Cows1

P. J. Burfening and D. D. Kress2

Montana State University, Bozeman 59715

Abstract

Records on 406 straight line and crossline Hereford females were used to estimate heterosis for the cow's own preweaning and postweaning growth and her maternal ability as measured by most probable producing ability (MPPA) for birth weight and 180-day weight. The data were analyzed by least squares procedures and heterosis was estimated from the least squares constants by comparison between the crossline constants and the mid-parent average. A negative relationship was observed between the cows own weaning weight and her MPPA for weaning weight when classified by age of dam groups. The average heterosis, in percent, was –.7, 2.6, –2.6, 3.2, 1.6 and 1.6 for the cow's own birth weight, 180-day weight, postweaning average daily gain, yearling weight, MPPA for birth weight and MPPA for 180-day weight, respectively. These data indicate that some heterosis for maternal ability could be expected when crossing lines of Hereford cattle.

Footnotes

1 Conducted in cooperation with Western Regional Research Project W-1, The Improvement of Beef Cattle Through the Application of Breeding Methods. Published with approval of the Director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 357.

2 The authors wish to acknowledge the supervision of record collection by F. S. Willson, A. E. Flower, J. J. Urick and C. Windecker and the computer programming assistance of E. P. Smith and V. R. Stewart.






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Copyright © 1973 by the American Society of Animal Science.