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Effects of Sire, Calf Sex and Age, and Age of Dam on Birth Weight and Body Dimensions at One and Three Days of Age¹

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

Abstract

WEIGHT and various body measurements were obtained on 244 bull and 227 heifer calves from 3 to 18 hr. and from 60 to 72 hr. of age. The calves were the progeny of Angus-Holstein F₁ cows and 32 different Polled Hereford sires. Paternal half-sib heritability estimates indicated that hook width and rump length were of low heritability (0.12 to 0.18) and heart girth, cannon circumference and length, and body length were of moderate to high heritability (0.41 to 0.55) when weight was not held constant. The estimate for birth weight was 0.39. Including weight as a continuous independent variable decreased the heritability of most characters. Calf sex, calf age and age of dam effects were highly significant (P<.01) for most characters, but none of the two-way interactions was significant. The largest increases between times of measuring were observed for weight, heart girth circumference, rump length and body length. The largest increase in weight between contiguous age of dam classes was noted for 4- vs. 5-year-old dams. Equations composed of all six body dimensions accounted for 82% of the variation in weight. Equations composed of either heart girth or hook width in the first and second measuring times, respectively, each accounted for 67% of the weight variance.

¹ Approved for publication by the Director, Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station; Paper No. 4216 of the Journal Series; number assigned May 19, 1972.

² Appreciation is extended to the personnel of the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, Pennsylvania Bureau of Correction for allowing collection of data; to purebred breeders for financial assistance and to M. J. Simpson and H. Varela-Alvarez for assistance in data collection.