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Beef Production of Simmental x Angus and Hereford x Angus Cows Under Range Conditions^1,2,

South Dakota State University, Brookings 57007

Abstract

A five-year study was conducted to compare reproductive performance, milk production and calf productivity of 180 Simmental x Angus (S x A) and Hereford x Angus (H x A) crossbred cows. Cows were managed on native range in western South Dakota with supplemental feed during the winter. One Angus sire was used through artificial insemination on yearling heifers, while two Charolais sires were utilized thereafter in a terminal crossbreeding program. Simmental x Angus heifers were heavier (P<.05) as yearlings and 2-yr-olds and had larger (P<.05) yearling and 2-yr-old pelvic areas than H x A heifers. During the study, S x A cows averaged 33 kg heavier (P<.01) at weaning time than H x A cows. No differences were found (P>.05) in percent calf crop born, percent calf crop weaned or calving difficulty between the two cow breeds. During the 3 yr evaluated, S x A cows produced more milk (P<.01) than H x A cows. Calf birth weight, gain to weaning, and weaning weight were greater (P<.01) for the S x A dams. Two nutritional levels ("regular" vs high) were compared within cow breeds. No difference (P>.05) due to nutrition level was present on reproductive performance, calf birth weight or milk production under conditions of this study. However, both dam breeds on the regular nutritional regimen weaned heavier calves (P<.01) than cows on the high level of nutrition. These results indicate that S x A cows can have greater calf productivity than H x A cows under range conditions, even on a regular nutrition level, if sufficient forage is available.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the South Dakota Agr. Exp. Sta. as Pub. No. 2012 of the Journal Ser.

² The authors wish to acknowledge William L. Tucker for his assistance in statistical analysis and interpretation.

³ Dept. of Anim. and Range Sci.

⁴ Present address, Univ. of Nebraska West Central Res. and Ext. Center, North Platte 69101.