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 Bailey, C. M. Articles by Moore, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bailey, C. M. Articles by Moore, J. D.

Reproductive Performance and Birth Characters of Divergent Breed and Crosses of Beef Cattle¹

University of Nevada, Reno 89557

Abstract

Reproductive performance and calving traits of divergent breeds and F₁ crosses of beef cattle (N = 755 matings) were evaluated. Mating groups were straightbred Hereford and Red Poll, Hereford x Red Poll reciprocal crosses, Angus x Hereford, Angus x Charolais, Brahman x Hereford and Brahman x Angus. The overall mean for percentage live calves born in relation to the number of females exposed to breeding was 85%. Pregnancy rate for Hereford cows bred to Brahman sires was 10% lower (P<.05) than for straightbred Hereford or Angus x Hereford matings; however, differences in percentage full-term calves were nonsignificant. Brahman x Hereford calves were heavier (P<.01) at birth than straightbred Herefords, Red Poll x Hereford or Angus x Hereford crosses, but these mating groups were similar in incidence of dystocia. Red Poll dams gave birth to heavier calves than Herefords and experienced greater (P<.01) calving difficulty. Calves from Charolais dams weighed more (P<.01) at birth than those from Hereford females, and Herefords produced larger (P<.01) calves than Angus. There was no evidence of mating group differences in mothering instinct or calf survival during the perinatal period. Percentage live calves was higher (P<.05) for straightbred Hereford and Red Poll x Hereford matings than for Hereford x Red Poll crosses. Heterosis in Hereford x Red Poll matings was not significant for any of the traits analyzed.

¹ Contribution from the Agr. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Nevada, Reno. Journal Series No. 447.

² Assistance by Art Cerfoglio, Don Albert, Robert Barry, W. D. Foote and David Chevraux is acknowledged with thanks. Appreciation is also expressed to Y. O. Koh, Univ. of Nevada System Computing Center, for help with statistical analyses.