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 Similar articles in PubMed 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. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bailey, C. M.

Calf Survival and Preweaning Growth in Divergent Beef Breeds and Crosses¹

University of Nevada, Reno 89557

Abstract

Calf production traits of divergent breed types, including Bos taurus and Bos indicus X Bos taurus crosses (n = 755 matings), were evaluated under pasture conditions. Mating groups were straightbred Hereford and Red Poll, Hereford X Red Poll reciprocal crosses, Angus X Hereford, Angus X Charolais-Cross, Brahman X Hereford and Brahman X Angus. Overall, 81% of the females that were exposed to bulls weaned a calf. Survival of Brahman X Hereford calves, which averaged 94%, was lower (P<.05) than that for Angus X Herefords. Weaning rates for Hereford cows bred to Hereford, Red Poll and Angus sires were approximately 11% higher (P<.10) than those for Brahman X Hereford matings. Brahman X Hereford calves were younger (P<.01) at weaning than straightbred Herefords, Red Poll X Herefords and Angus X Herefords, but weighed more at weaning on an equivalent-age basis. Hereford cows weaned 12% more (P<.05) calves than Red Poll cows bred to the same Hereford sires. Red Poll, Angus and Charolais-Cross dams weaned heavier (P<.01) calves than did Hereford dams. Least-squares means for kilograms of actual weaning weight of calf per dam exposed to breeding ranged from 154 for Angus X Charolais-Cross to 117 for Brahman X Hereford matings. In a diallel analysis of calf weights, Herefords surpassed Red Polls in transmitted effects but Red Polls were superior (P<.01) in maternal influence. Heterosis effects on calf survival and percentage of calves weaned for Hereford X Red Poll matings were nonsignificant. Heterosis in calf growth rate during the preweaning period was positive and generally significant.

¹ Contribution from the Agr. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Nevada, Reno. Journal Ser. No. 463.

² Technical assistance by Don Albert, Art Cerfoglio and other members of the Main Station Field Laboratory staff is acknowledged with thanks. Jay S. Dow, Jr., Susan Bailey Dow and J. D. Moore helped with data collection and processing.