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 Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Morrison, D. G. Articles by Koonce, K. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Morrison, D. G. Articles by Koonce, K. L.

Comparisons of Brahman and Continental European Crossbred Cows for Calving Ease in a Subtropical Environment¹

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70893

Abstract

Data from 504 calvings of dams that were produced by breeding Brahman, Chianina, Maine Anjou and Simmental sires to Angus and Hereford females were evaluated for calving ease and factors affecting dystocia. Three-breed-cross calves were produced from all eight dam breed groups by naturally mating Red Poll bulls to yearling and 2-yr-old females and Charolais and Gelbvieh bulls to 2-, 3- and 4-yr-old cows. Dystocia and mortality were not affected by age or weight of cow, but pelvic area increased with increases in age and weight. Brahman-sired cows had the least dystocia (2.4%), the lowest calf mortality rates (1.2%), the largest pelvic height to pelvic width ratios (1.14) and produced calves with the smallest birth weights relative to their weight and the size of their pelvises. Chianina-sired cows had the largest body weights (377.2 kg), produced calves that were heaviest at birth (36.1 kg) and had the largest calf birth weight to cow weight and calf birth weight to pelvic area ratios. Simmental-sired cows had the smallest body weights (353.0 kg), the smallest pelvic areas (251.5 cm²) and produced the smallest calves at birth (31.5 kg). Maine Anjou-sired cows tended to be intermediate between Chianina- and Simmental-sired cows for all traits studied. Brahman-sired cows had less calving difficulty than the Continental European-sired cows evaluated under the conditions of this experiment.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Louisiana Agric. Exp. Sta. as manuscript number 88-92-2535.

² Rosepine Res. Sta., Rosepine, LA 70659.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci., to whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

⁴ Dept. of Exp. Stat.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. C. Chase Jr., D. G. Riley, T. A Olson, S. W. Coleman, and A. C. Hammond Maternal and reproductive performance of Brahman x Angus, Senepol x Angus, and Tuli x Angus cows in the subtropics J Anim Sci, September 1, 2004; 82(9): 2764 - 2772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Arango, L. V. Cundiff, and L. D. Van Vleck Breed comparisons of Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Jersey, Limousin, Simmental, and South Devon for weight, weight adjusted for body condition score, height, and body condition score of cows J Anim Sci, December 1, 2002; 80(12): 3123 - 3132. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Arango, L. V. Cundiff, and L. D. Van Vleck Comparisons of Angus-, Braunvieh-, Chianina-, Hereford-, Gelbvieh-, Maine Anjou-, and Red Poll-sired cows for weight, weight adjusted for body condition score, height, and body condition score J Anim Sci, December 1, 2002; 80(12): 3133 - 3141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Arango, L. V. Cundiff, and L. D. Van Vleck Breed comparisons of Angus, Brahman, Hereford, Pinzgauer, Sahiwal, and Tarentaise for weight, weight adjusted for condition score, height, and body condition score J Anim Sci, December 1, 2002; 80(12): 3142 - 3149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]