J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1979. 48:7-12.
© 1979 American Society of Animal Science
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Effects of Mating Systems on Weaning Traits in Beef Cattle1

W. W. Ellis, M. R. Ellersieck, L. Langford, Bob Sibbit and J. F. Lasley

University of Missouri2, Columbia 65211

Abstract

A 4-year study involving 437 Angus, Charolais, Hereford and all possible reciprocal crossbred cows among these three breeds was conducted to determine the effect of cow performance and different mating systems on 205-day adjusted weaning weight, 205-day adjusted weaning weight per cow exposed and the percent calf crop weaned. These cows were mated to Angus, Charolais and Hereford bulls to produce all crossbred and no purebred calves. This mating system produced 24 different crosses of calves. The weaning weights were adjusted to a 205-day basis, to a bull basis and to a 6-year-old-dam basis. The data were analyzed by least square procedures.

The main objective was to measure straightbred and crossbred cow performance, and to compare the performance of the two-breed cross, backcross and the three-breed cross calves.

The 205-day weight adjusted for sex and age of dam showed significant effects for the type of cross and year (P<.01). Further comparisons showed larger adjusted 205-day weight for the reciprocally crossed Angus and Charolais dams when compared to the average of the straightbred Charolais and Angus dams (P<.05). All other comparisons of reciprocally crossed cows with the respective straightbred cows showed greater performance in favor of the crossbred cows but these differences were not significant. There were no significant differences when the weaning weights of the two-breed cross, the backcross and the three-breed cross calves were compared, but the average 205-day weights of backcross calves and the three-breed cross calves were heavier than for the two-breed cross calves.

The adjusted 205-day weight of calves per cow exposed to the bull approached significance for the main effect of cross and was significant for year (P>.05). The difference between the reciprocally crossed cows and the straightbred cows was not significant. For type of mating system the three-breed cross had a significantly higher value for this trait than the two-breed cross and the two-breed backcross (P<.01). The two-breed cross and the two-breed backcross were not significantly different.

The main effect of cross and year approached significance (P>.05) for percent calf crop weaned. Comparisons of the percent calf crop weaned between the reciprocal crossbred cows and the straightbred cows making up these crosses was not significant. The percent calf crop weaned was significantly higher in the three-breed cross than in the two-breed cross (P<.01) or the two-breed backcross (P<.05).

Footnotes

1 Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 8012. Approved by the Director.

2 Department of Animal Husbandry.






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Copyright © 1979 by the American Society of Animal Science.