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Characterization of Biological Types of Cattle. VI. Transmitted and Maternal Effects on Birth and Survival Traits in Progeny of Young Cows¹

University of Nebraska and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center 68933

Abstract

Birth weight, gestation length, dystocia and mortality were studied in 653 2-year-old and 622 subsequent 3-year-old carvings. Dams were Hereford-Angus reciprocal crosses plus crosses of Charolais, Simmental, Limousin, Jersey and South Devon sires on Hereford and Angus cows. Calves from 2-year-olds were sired by Hereford, Angus, Brahman, Holstein and Devon sires. Calves from 3-year-olds were sired by Hereford, Angus, Maine-Anjou, Chianina and Gelbvieh sires. Progeny of Charolais, Simmental and South Devon cross cows were heaviest at birth, (36.5, 35.5 and 36.1 kg; averaged over ages), and had the most dystocia (36.5, 36.5 and 39.5%). Calves from Jersey cross cows were lightest at birth (31 kg), had the shortest gestations (282 days), the least dystocia (17.5%) and had the least mortality (6%). In 2-year-olds, Brahman-sired calves were heaviest at birth (35.3 kg) and had the longest gestations (289 days), the most dystocia (67%), and the highest total mortality (21%). Calves by Hereford, Angus and Devon sires were lightest at birth and had the least dystocia and mortality. In 3-year-olds, calves by Maine-Anjou and Chianina sires were heaviest at birth (38.9 and 39.7 kg) and had the most dystocia (37 and 36%) and the most mortality (11 and 13%). Gelbvieh-sired calves were intermediate and calves by Hereford and Angus sires had the lowest birth weights (34.7 kg), the shortest gestations (283 days) and the least dystocia (12%). Significant curvilinear relationships between birth weight and dystocia and between birth weight and mortality were found at both ages.

¹ Published as Paper No. 5317 Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.

² Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.

³ Present address: Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.

⁴ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

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