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Weaning Traits of Angus, Brahman, Charolais and F₁ Crosses of these Breeds¹

Agricultural Research Center, Ona 33865 and and University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

Abstract

Angus (A), Brahman (B), and Charolais (C) cattle were straightbred and reciprocally crossed in all possible 2-breed combinations. An average of 91 progeny were produced in each of the nine subclasses. The traits studied included weaning age, condition score, 205-day weight and weaning weight.

Overall least squares means for calf age at weaning, condition score, 205-day weight and weaning weight were 222 days, 9.6, 194 kg and 207 kg, respectively.

Breed of sire effects were significant (P<.01) for all traits. Weaning age was similar for calves sired by Angus and Charolais bulls (225 vs 227 days) and lowest for those sired by Brahman (215 days). Condition scores were highest for calves sired by Angus (9.9) and Charolais (9.6) bulls and lowest for Brahman (9.4) sired calves. Average weaning and 205-day weights were highest for Charolais sires with calves by Brahman and Angus sires being similar. Breed of dam effects were significant (P<.01) for all traits except conditions score of calves. Angus dams weaned the oldest calves, 230 days, compared with 220 and 218 days respectively, for Charolais and Brahman dams. Weaning and 205-day calf weights were highest for Charolais dams with Brahman dams next in order and Angus dams lowest.

Significant (P<.01) breed of sire x breed of dam interactions occurred for condition score, 205-day weight, and weaning weight of calves. Crossbred progeny excelled purebreds for all production traits (P<.01), averaging 9.8 vs 9.2; 199 kg vs 185 kg; 211 kg vs 198 kg, respectively for condition score, 205-day weight, and weaning weight. Heterosis levels for reciprocal AB, BC and AC crossbred progeny, respectively, were 9.8, 5.5 and 5.3% for condition score; 13.1, 7.0 and 2.8% for 205-day weight; and 12.2, 7.1 and 2.1% for weaning weight.

¹ Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 941. Contribution from the Southern Regional Beef Cattle Breeding Project (S-10).

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