J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1974. 39:471-479.
© 1974 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Heterosis and Maternal Influence on Weaning Traits in Reciprocal Crosses among Angus, Charolais and Hereford Cattle1

J. A. Sagebiel2, G. F. Krause, Bob Sibbit, L. Langford, A. J. Dyer and J. F. Lasley

University of Missouri, Columbia 65201

Abstract

Angus, Charolais and Herefords were mated to produce straightbred and all possible reciprocal two-breed crosses. This study included 812 calves in the analysis of heterosis effects on preweaning gain, adjusted 205-day weight, 205-day weight/metabolic cow weight and weaning score. The main effects of bull breed, cow breed and year exerted a significant influence on most of the weaning traits for both male and female calves.

The interaction between bull breed and cow breed was significant only for female calves, possibly indicating homogametic heterosis. Crossbreds were superior to the straightbreds that made up the cross for all traits, but the differences were significant mostly for female calves. The largest amount of heterosis for weaning weight was shown by the Angus-Hereford crosses, averaging 5.7% (9.4 kg), but this same cross showed no heterosis for weaning score.

Maternal effects for weaning weight indicate Charolais are superior to both Angus and Herefords and Angus are slightly superior to Herefords, but few of the differences were significant.

Footnotes

1 Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Missouri, Columbia. Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 6822. Approved by the Director.

2 The senior author wishes to express appreciation to Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, for providing computer time and a summer research appointment for analysis of these data.






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Copyright © 1974 by the American Society of Animal Science.