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Performance of Crosses among Hereford, Angus and Simmental Cattle with Different Levels of Simmental Breeding. I. Preweaning Growth and Survival¹

Montana State University, Bozeman 59717

Abstract

Performance through weaning of 543 calves raised on 3-yr-old and older Hereford dams was studied. Calf breed groups were straightbred Hereford, 50% Angus-50% Hereford, 25% Simmental-75% Hereford and 50% Simmental-50% Hereford. Breed group was a significant source of variation for gestation length, birth weight, calving difficulty, late survival (from 24 h to weaning), percentage of calves weaned per cow calving, 180-d weight, 180-d withers height and 180-d weight:height ratio. Breed group differences were not significant for early survival or weaning condition score and approached significance (P<.10) for net kilograms weaned (zero if no calf was weaned and 180-d weight if a calf was weaned). Fifty percent Simmental calves had the heaviest birth weight (41.4 kg), most calving difficulty (1.19 score), heaviest 180-d weight (200.5 kg) and tallest 180-d height (101.3 cm). Fifty percent Simmental calves also had the longest gestation length (287.5 d), lowest late survival rate (95%) and largest weight:height ratio (2.00), although they did not differ significantly in the first two traits from 25% Simmentals and in the latter trait from 50% Angus. Herefords differed (P<.05) from 50% Simmentals in all traits for which breed group was significant except for percentage of calves weaned. Fifty percent Angus and 25% Simmental calves were similar to Herefords for many traits. However, 50% Angus differed (P<.05) by a 1.7-d shorter gestation length, 7.1-kg heavier 180-d weight and .05-kg/cm greater weight:height ratio than Herefords; whereas 25% Simmentals differed (P<.05) by a 2.0-d longer gestation length, 7.5-kg heavier 180-d weight and 2.3-cm taller 180-d height than Herefords. Twenty-five percent Simmental and 50% Angus calves differed (P<.05) only by 25% Simmentals having a 3.7-d longer gestation length and 1.6-cm taller 180-d height.

¹ Published with approval of the Director of the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta., Journal Series No. 1383.

² Dept. of Anirn. Sci., Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853.

³ Anim. and Range Sci. Dept.

⁴ Northern Agricultural Research Center, Star Route 36 - Box 43, Havre, MT 59501.