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Performance on Range and in Drylot of Two-Year-Old Hereford, Hereford x Holstein and Holstein Females as Influenced by Level of Winter Supplementation^{1, 2,}

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74074 and U. S. Department of Agriculture, El Reno 73036

Abstract

The productivity as 2-year-olds of Hereford, Hereford x Holstein (Crossbred) and Holstein cows was compared under tallgrass range and drylot confinement conditions. Cows within each breed were subjected to either two (Hereford and Crossbred) or three levels (Holstein) of winter supplementation designated as Moderate, High and Very High. The base breed-treatment groups were the Moderate Herefords, High Crossbreds and Very High Holsteins which were fed an average of 1.2, 2.4 and 3.5 kg/day post-calving of a 30% crude protein supplement, respectively, during the winter. Drylot cows also received additional roughage and grain as necessary to approximate the weight change pattern of the range cows. Cow and calf weight and milk yield estimates were obtained monthly. Calves, sired by Angus bulls, were weaned at 240 ± 7 days.

In drylot, winter roughage intake was not significantly affected by level of supplement; Holsteins consumed significantly (P < .01) more roughage for the total year than the other cows. Moderate cows lost significantly (P < .01) more winter weight than the High cows. In drylot, Moderate cows regained significantly (P < .05) more weight during the summer than the Highs. The 240-day sex-adjusted weaning weights of calves from Hereford, Crossbred and Holstein cows were 229, 253 and 279 kg (range) and 188, 230 and 251 kg (drylot), respectively; weaning weight was not significantly affected by level of supplement. Daily milk yields were 5.2, 8.3 and 11.0 kg/day for Herefords, Crossbreds and Holsteins, respectively (P < .001). Results in drylot were similar. Post-partum interval and days to apparent conception tended to decrease as level of supplement increased. Conception rate increased in Holsteins as level of supplement increased. Milk composition was affected by both breed and level of winter supplement.

Two-year-old Crossbred cows produced more milk, weaned heavier calves and had comparable rebreeding performance on the same level of winter supplementation as Herefords, but required 14% more roughage (drylot). Holsteins were superior to the other breeds in milk yield and calf weaning weight, but required 43% more roughage than Herefords (drylot) and had poor rebreeding performance at the lower levels of winter supplementation.

¹ Journal Article 2507 of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This research was conducted by the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in cooperation with the U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, Southern Region.

² The assistance of R. D. Morrison, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, in statistical analysis and computer programming is gratefully acknowledged.

³ Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74074.

⁴ Fort Reno Livestock Research Station, A.R.S., El Reno 73036.

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