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Maternal Heterosis Effects on Postweaning Growth Efficiency in Beef Cattle¹

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

Abstract

Effects of maternal heterosis on efficiency of postweaning growth and on carcass composition were evaluated in phase 2 of a comprehensive heterosis experiment by a comparison of two-breed cross steers from straightbred Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn cows with the three-breed cross steers from reciprocal crossbred cows. Time-constant postweaning gain, individual total digestible nutrient (TDN) conversion and carcass composition data were obtained on 134 three-breed and 84 two-breed cross steers born in 1963, 1964 and 1965. Postweaning efficiency was evaluated for TDN/GAIN from 227 kg to 408 kg of live weight and for age-constant carcass value minus postweaning feed cost.

Three-breed cross steers from crossbred dams were 5.2% (P<01) heavier at the beginning but had no advantage in postweaning gain over two-breed cross steers from straightbred dams. This lack of a crossbred dam effect on postweaning gain was associated with slightly fatter carcasses with 4.0% (P<05) more kilograms of TDN required per kilogram of gain for three-breed crosses than for two-breed crosses. The extra weight at weaning and at the start of the test was maintained through the postweaning period and accounted for all of the $7.67 per head (3.5%, P<.05) advantage of three-breed crosses in age-constant carcass value less postweaning feed cost. This advantage did not take into account any difference in preweaning production costs for three-breed vs two-breed cross calves.

¹ Published as Paper No. 5379, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln. Contribution from North Central Regional Project NC-1, Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods. Partial publication of senior author's dissertation research.

² Present address: Department of Meat and Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.

³ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, North Central Region, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Clay Center, NE 68933.

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