J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1987. 65:42-47.
© 1987 American Society of Animal Science
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Genotype x Environment Interactions Involving Proportion of Brahman Breeding and Season of Birth. I. Calf Growth to Weaning1

R. C. Bolton2, R. R. Frahm, J. W. Castree and S. W. Coleman3

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078-0425

Abstract

Performance to weaning was evaluated on 489 spring-born and 416 fall-born crossbred calves of three proportions of Brahman breeding (0, 1/4 and 1/2 Brahman) over a 3-yr period. The calves were produced by appropriate matings of Angus (A), Hereford (H), Brahman (B), 1/2B-1/2A and 1/2B-1/2H bulls to Angus and Hereford cows. Interactions between proportion of Brahman breeding and season of birth existed (P<.01) for all traits except birth weight. Birth weights of 1/4 and 1/2 Brahman calves were 1.4 and 3.8 kg heavier (P<.05), respectively, than 0 Brahman calves. Spring-born calves that were 1/4 and 1/2 Brahman outgained (P<.05) 0 Brahman calves 36 and 69 g/d, respectively, and were 9 and 18 kg, respectively, heavier (P<.05) at weaning, whereas preweaning average daily gains and weaning weights were similar among fall-born crossbred calf groups. Among spring-born calves, 1/4 and 1/2 Brahman calves were 2.6 and 6.6 cm, respectively, taller (P<.05) than 0 Brahman calves, whereas among fall-born calves 0 and 1/4 Brahman calves had similar hip heights and 1/2 Brahman calves were 3.7 and 2.8 cm taller (P<.05) than 0 and 1/4 Brahman calves, respectively. Conformation and condition scores were similar for crossbred groups among spring-born calves, whereas conformation and condition scores decreased as proportion of Brahman breeding increased among fall-born calves. These data indicated that genotype x environment interactions are important in beef production and increased proportions of Brahman breeding were advantageous in a spring-calving program but not in a fall-calving program.

Footnotes

1 Journal article 5094 of the Oklahoma Agr. Exp. Sta., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater. Research was conducted by the Anim. Sci. Dept. (OAES Project 1777) in cooperation with USDA, ARS, Southern Region and contributes to the Regional Beef Cattle Breeding Project, NC-1.

2 Present address: Granada Land and Cattle Co., Inc., P.O. Box 70, Wheelock, TX 77882.

3 Research Scientist, USDA-ARS, Livestock and Forage Res. Lab., El Reno, OK 73036.






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Copyright © 1987 by the American Society of Animal Science.