HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Drewry, K. J. Articles by Nelson, L. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Drewry, K. J. Articles by Nelson, L. A.

Crossing Angus and Milking Shorthorn Cattle: Feedlot Performance of Steers^{1 ,2,}

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Abstract

Evaluation of straightbred and crossbred performance and estimates of heterosis using 226 straightbred and reciprocal crossbred steers from Angus (A) and Milking Shorthorn (MS) cows born over a 5-year period, were obtained for steer daily gain. Steers were weaned at 210 ± 14 days and immediately placed in the feedlot by breedtype (A x A, A x MS, MS x A, MS x MS). Steers were full-fed for 196 days. Weights and daily gains were obtained at 28-day intervals.

Steers from MS sires had greater period gains and overall test daily gain than steers from A sires, except in period 4. Significant breed-of-sire differences were observed only for period 2, period 7 and test daily gain. Adjustment of daily gain for variation in initial weight reduced the sire-breed differences by 3.6%, 1.5% and 5.8%, respectively, for periods 2, 7 and test. Steers from MS dams had greater daily gains than steers from A dams. These differences, kilograms/day, were significant for periods 2, 3, 6 and test. Adjustment of daily gains for variation in initial weight reduced the breed-of-dam difference by 25.4%, 46.7%, 15.6% and 23.9%, respectively, for periods 2, 3, 6 and test.

Negative heterosis estimates were observed for daily gain in periods 1 and 2, and positive heterosis estimates were observed in periods 3 to 7 and test. Significant heterosis for daily gain was observed only in periods 3, 4, 6 and test with values (kilograms/day and %) of .15 (12.7%), .10 (9.2%), .11 (11.1%) and .05 (4.1%), respectively. Adjustment of daily gains for variation in initial weight tended to decrease the heterosis estimates for daily gains.

Reciprocal contrasts (A x MS vs MS x A) were evaluated and found nonsignificant for both actual and adjusted daily gains.

¹ Journal Paper No. 7141, Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Data derived from the Purdue University contributing project to NC-1 regional project, Improvement of Beef Cattle through Breeding Methods.