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 Pahnish, O. F. Articles by Blackwell, R. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pahnish, O. F. Articles by Blackwell, R. L.

Genotype x Environment Interaction in Hereford Cattle: IV. Postweaning Traits of Bulls¹

U.S. Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Miles City, MT 59301 and Brooksville, FL 3 3512; Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman 59717 and Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville 32601

Abstract

Genotype x environment interactions for postweaning performance traits of bulls produced by different lines of Hereford cattle were investigated in the contrasting environments of Miles City, Montana and Brooksville, Florida. During Phase 1 of the study (1966 to 1973), the performance of bull progeny from two unrelated lines (M₁ and F₆ previously developed in Montana and Florida, respectively) was compared at each of the two experimental sites. During Phase 2 (1967 to 1974), performance of bulls from two related lines (M₁ of Montana origin and F₄ derived from an M₁ foundation through selection in Florida) was compared at each of the two locations. The line x location interaction effect in Phase 1 was highly significant for weaning weights and average daily gain during the postweaning test, and for end-of-test weight, conformation score, condition score and forecannon circumference. The interaction effect in Phase 2 was highly significant for 205-d and end-of-test weights and significant for all other traits except end-of-test conformation score. These results, consistent with results for traits covered in other papers of the same series (reproductive traits, birth-to-weaning traits of bull and heifer calves combined, and postweaning traits of heifers), indicated the existence of economically important genotype x environment interactions in beef cattle. Results from the series of papers indicated that adaptation to local environment should receive consideration in planning breeding programs, performance tests and interregional transfers of beef cattle.

¹ This research was conducted as an interregional effort by the USDA-ARS, and the State Agr. Exp. Sta. of Montana and Florida under Regional Projects WRCC-1 and S-10. The cattle were located at the Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Res. Lab., Miles City, MT and the Subtropical Agr. Res. Sta., Brooksville, FL. Published as Montana Agr. Exp. Sta. Journal Series No. 1391.

² Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Res. Sta., USDA-ARS, WR, Miles City, MT 59301.

³ Subtropical Agr. Res. Sta., USDA-ARS, Brooksville, FL 3 3512.

⁴ Florida Agr. Exp. Sta., Gainesville 32611.

⁵ Montana Agr. Exp. Sta., Bozeman 59717.

⁶ Appreciation is expressed to J. S. Brinks, N. M. Kieffer, R. S. Temple, E. J. Warwick and F. S. Willson for contributions to establishment of the project and to B. W. Knapp, W. L. Milmine, G. V. Richardson and W. C. Russell for help in data collection or processing.