J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1980. 50:800-807.
© 1980 American Society of Animal Science
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Preweaning and Weaning Heterosis for Maternal Effects of Beef x Beef and Beef x Dairy Crosses1

B. W. Knapp2, O. F. Pahnish2, J. J. Urick2, J. S. Brinks3 and G. V. Richardson4 ,5,

US Department of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Miles City, MT 59301

Abstract

Effects of maternal heterosis were estimated from preweaning and weaning data on 178 three-breed cross progeny of straight Hereford, Angus and Charolais heifers (beef) and contemporary reciprocal cross heifers. In addition, 27 three-breed cross calves produced by beef x Brown swiss females were used for a comparison of beef x beef with beef x Brown Swiss crossbred dams. Statistical analyses were performed with and without the data from the 27 beef x Brown Swiss calves. Only first-calf records, obtained from 1965 through 1967, were used to evaluate maternal qualities of straightbred and crossbred dams. Breed of sire of cow was a source of variation (P<.01) in all progeny traits, and breed of dam of cow was a source of variation (P<.05 to P<.01) in all of these traits except birth weight. Interaction effects of breed of sire of cow x breed of dam of cow were consistently nonsignificant. Estimated maternal heterosis percentages were 1.4, 1.0, 1.1 and .4 (.02 of one grade) for birth weight, average daily gain from birth to weaning, 205-day weaning weight and weaning conformation score of progeny, respectively. Comparison of beef x Brown Swiss dams with beef cross dams showed that beef x Brown Swiss dams had calves with higher average birth weight, higher preweaning average daily gain, higher average 205-day weaning weight and higher average weaning score (P<.05 to P<.01).

Footnotes

1 This study was conducted at the Livestock and Range Research Sta., Miles City, MT, as a contribution to Western Regional Project W-1, The Improvement of Beef Cattle through the Application of Breeding Methods, in cooperation with the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta., Bozeman. Publication has been approved by the Director of the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta. as Journal Series No. 758.

2 Livestock and Range Res. Sta., Western Region, SEA, USDA, Miles City, MT 59301.

3 Present address: Dept. of Anim. Sci., Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO 80521.

4 Biometrical Services, SEA USDA, Fort Collins, CO 80521.

5 Appreciation is expressed to F. S. Willson of the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta. for contributions in project planning and data collection.






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Copyright © 1980 by the American Society of Animal Science.