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Reproductive Performance in Crosses of Angus, Santa Gertrudis and Gelbvieh Beef Cattle¹

University of Georgia^,4, Athens 30602

Abstract

Angus (A), Santa Gertrudis (S), and Gelbvieh (G) sires were mated to A and S dams to produce five mating types (A x A, S x S, S x A, A x S and G x A) in each of four calf crops. The study involved 501 matings. Overall means for the traits measured (calves born/cows exposed, Julian birthdate, calving ease, percentage of live calves at 24 h, birth weight, survival to weaning and gestation length) were 74.2%, 48.8 d, 96.4%, 97.6%, 33.2 kg, 95.4% and 283.8 d, respectively. Angus dams had a 14 percentage point (P<.05) advantage over S dams for percentage of calves born/cows exposed. The effect of heterosis in crosses of A and S for percentage of calves born/cows exposed was negative (-11.1%) and approached significance. The percentage of calves born/cows exposed were 84.4, 70.4, 76.1 and 62.3 for the A x A, S x S, S x A and A x S mating types, respectively. Matings involving A sires and dams produced calves significantly earlier in the calving season than did matings involving S sires and dams. Matings involving S sires and dams produced calves with significantly longer gestation periods than matings of A sires and dams. Calving ease score and survival to weaning were not affected by breed of sire, breed of dam, age of dam, sex of calf, or the interaction of breed of sire x breed of dam. Percentage of live calves at 24 h indicated that straightbred S calves were significantly less viable at birth than the other four mating types. Angus dams had a significant advantage over S dams for percentage alive 24 h after birth. Straightbred A calves were significantly smaller at birth (30.1 kg) than the other mating types. Straightbred S calves were heaviest at birth (37.2 kg) and different (P<.05) from the other mating types. The three crossbred classes did not differ (S x A, 33.5 kg; A x S, 35.1 kg and G x A, 34.0 kg), and were intermediate to the two straightbred classes in the birth weight. Heterosis for birth weight in crosses of A and S was not significant.

¹ This study was partially funded by the Georgia Agr. Exp. Sta. and it is part of a Hatch Project, H608.

² This paper represents part of a dissertation submitted by the senior author to the Univ. of Georgia Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Anim. Sci.

³ Present address: Dept. of Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State Univ., Nacogdoches, TX 75962.

⁴ Anim. and Dairy Sci. Dept.