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Maternal Heterosis and Grandmaternal Effects in Beef Cattle: Preweaning Traits^1,2,3,

South Dakota State University, Brookings 57007, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933 and University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583

Abstract

Crossbred progeny from females, 3 yr old and older, representing Brown Swiss (B), Red Poll (R), Hereford (H) and Angus (A) maternal grandsires and maternal granddams in a diallel crossing experiment were evaluated to estimate breed mean maternal heterosis () for each breed, maternal heterosis for specific breed cross females (), average maternal heterosis for all crosses () and breed grandmaternal effects () for preweaning calf traits. Estimates of were significant for birth date and weight, 200-d weight and 200-d weight/cow exposed. Even though calves with crossbred dams weighed more at birth, they did not differ from calves with straightbred dams in frequency of calving assistance. The estimates of were similar for most crosses and most traits, except 200-d weight and 200-d weight/cow exposed. The largest heterotic advantage was exhibited by progeny of BH reciprocal cross females, which exceeded crossbred progeny from BB and HH females for 200-d weight/cow exposed by 35.9 kg. The smallest heterotic effect was exhibited by crossbred progeny of RA reciprocal cross females. Progeny with R maternal granddams exhibited a higher (P<.05) live calf born and weaned percentage than progeny with H maternal granddams. Progeny with B maternal granddams were born later (P<.05) in the calving season than progeny with R maternal granddams. Progeny with A maternal granddams exhibited a lower frequency of calving assistance than progeny with H maternal granddams, and progeny with H maternal granddams were heavier (P<.05) at 200 d than progeny with R maternal granddams. There was a tendency for estimates of breed grandmaternal effects () to exhibit an inverse relationship with estimates of breed maternal effects ().

¹ Published as paper no. 2196, Journal Ser., South Dakota Agr. Exp. Sta., Brookings and as paper no. 8199, Journal Ser., Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta., Lincoln.

² This paper was prepared while the senior author was on sabbatical as a Visiting Scientist at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Anim. Res. Center, Clay Center, NE 68933.

³ Authors express appreciation to Cattle Operations personnel for data collection and to Data Processing personnel for maintenance of data files and analysis of data.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. and Range Sci., South Dakota State Univ., Brookings 57007.

⁵ Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Anim. Res. Center, ARS, USDA, Clay Center, NE 68933.

⁶ Anim. Sci. Dept., Univ. of Nebraska, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Anim. Res. Center, Clay Center, NE 68933.