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Efficiency of Production of 2- and 3-Year-Old Hereford, Hereford x Holstein and Holstein Cows^{1, 2,}

Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater 74074 and and U.S. Department of Agriculture, A.R.S., El Reno 73036

Abstract

Efficiency of production of first and second calf Hereford, Hereford x Holstein (Crossbred) and Holstein cows was determined in drylot and estimated for corresponding cattle under range conditions. Within breed, cows were fed either a Moderate or High level of winter supplement. In addition, a group of Holsteins were fed a Very High level. Moderate, High and Very High treatments were the estimated amounts of winter supplement needed in addition to dry winter range grass to sustain an acceptable level of reproduction in Hereford, Crossbred and Holstein cows, respectively. Gross efficiency of production was calculated on the basis of conversion of estimated DE intake to (1) milk, (2) weaned calf, (3) carcass energy and (4) retail cuts.

Holstein cows consumed more (P<.005) digestibile energy (DE), produced more (P<.01) milk gross energy (GE) and converted estimated DE to milk GE most efficiently (P<.01), followed by Crossbreds and Herefords, respectively.

Although Holstein progeny grew faster (P<.01) to time of weaning and was heavier (P<.01) at weaning, Hereford and Crossbred progeny converted both milk GE and total (creep and milk) DE to weaned weight more efficiently (P<.05).

¹ Journal Article 2735 of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. 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 authors express their appreciation to Leon Knori for his care of experimental animals and to R. A. Dean, J. R. Kropp and K. S. Lusby for aid in data collection.

³ Present address: Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901.

⁴ Present address: Animal Science Department, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68500.

⁵ Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74074.