Evaluation of beef breeds for rangeland weaner production in Zimbabwe 2. Productivity of crossbred cows and heterosis estimates

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. R. Tawonezvi ◽  
H. K. Ward ◽  
J. C. M. Trail ◽  
D. Light
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Productivity Indices ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Zebu Cows

ABSTRACTCrossbred cows were evaluated for reproductive performance and live weight, and for pre-weaning growth and viability of progeny sired by seven unrelated breeds. They were also evaluated on overall productivity expressed as weight of weaned calf per cow mated per year, per 100 kg of cow per year and per 100 kg metabolic weight of cow per year. The cows comprised reciprocals of Africander with Mashona, Nkone, Brahman and Sussex, one-way crosses sired by Sussex out of Mashona, Nkone and Brahman dams, and by Charolais out of Africander, Mashona, Nkone, Brahman and Sussex dams. These represented sanga × sanga, sanga × zebu, Bos taurus × sanga, Bos taurus × zebu and Bos taurus × Bos taurus crossbred types. Bos taurus × zebu crosses were superior to other breed types for all the three productivity indices and for virtually all the individual components of these. There was little difference between the other four breed types in overall productivity of components of these. Differences between reciprocals were observed in sanga × sanga and sanga × zebu, cows with Africander dams being more productive than reciprocals with Mashona, Nkone and Brahman dams. The Bos taurus × Bos taurus cross was inferior in overall productivity primarily due to large cow weight and relatively low growth rate of progeny. Progeny sired by Friesian, Simmental and Brahman had higher weaning weights than those sired by Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Africander and Tuli. Overall, heterosis was positive for all traits and averaged 0·15 for the three measures of cow productivity. Heterosis was three times higher in the Bos taurus × Bos indicus cross than in the Bos indicus crosses.

The effect of β-carotene on the fertility of dairy heifers receiving maize silage

1984 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ducker ◽  
N. H. Yarrow ◽  
Glenys A. Bloomfield ◽  
J. D. Edwards-Webb
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Adequate Supply ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Β Carotene

ABSTRACTOne hundred and sixty Friesian heifers were divided into four groups on the basis of live weight and age. All four groups received a production ration of 15 kg maize silage, 0·5 kg straw and either 1·5 or 0·5 kg concentrates according to their mean live weight. This ration supplied only 38 mg (3-carotene per animal per day.Two groups of heifers received a daily supplement of 300 mg β-carotene per head. The other two groups acted as controls and received a daily supplement of 60 000 i.u. vitamin A (18 mg retinol). All heifers received an adequate supply of vitamin A.Supplementation with 300 mg β-carotene per day significantly increased mean plasma concentrations from 3·52 mg/1 at housing to 5·58 mg/1 at first insemination (P < 0·001). Mean plasma concentrations in the control heifers declined from 3·31 mg/1 at housing to 2·42 mg/1 at first insemination and to 2·13 mg/1 50 days later. Of the 40 smaller controls half had concentrations below 1·00 mg/1 50 days after first insemination.Supplementation with β-carotene did not affect reproductive performance or growth rate in heifers receiving a ration based upon maize silage.

Evaluation of beef breeds for rangeland weaner production in Zimbabwe 1. Productivity of purebred cows

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. R. Tawonezvi ◽  
H. K. Ward ◽  
J. C. M. Trail ◽  
D. Light
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Rapid Growth Rate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Calving Rate

ABSTRACTPurebred cows were evaluated for reproductive performance and live weight, and for pre-weaning growth and viability of crossbred progeny sired by unrelated breeds. The cows comprised three indigenous breeds, Mashona, Nkone and Tuli and four exotic breeds Africander, Brahman, Sussex and Charolais. Over 3 years, the mean calving rates % (s.e.) were 55·5 (3·0), 76·0 (3·8), 63·1 (4·5), 69·6 (3·5), 70·0 (3·8), 60·0 (4·3) and 67·0 (5·0) for Africander, Mashona, Nkone, Tuli, Brahman, Sussex and Charolais cows, respectively.Bos taurusand Brahman cows were heavier at parturition and at calf weaning than indigenous cows. Mashona cows were lightest at both stages. Calves ofBos tauruscows were heaviest at birth and those of Mashona lightest. Calves of Brahman cows had the most rapid growth rate and at weaning (240 days) weighed in kg (s.e.) 207 (3·1), compared with 184 (2·1), 172 (2·2), 187 (2·6), 184 (2·1), 178 (2·7) and 186 (2·9) for progeny of Africander, Mashona, Nkone, Tuli, Sussex and Charolais, respectively. Pre-weaning survival rates of the breeds were not significantly different but viability was higher in progeny of indigenous than exotic breeds. The productivity estimates combining calving rate, cow weight, calf weaning weight and pre-weaning viability demonstrated the superiority of indigenous breeds and the Brahman over Africander andBos taurusbreeds.

Comparison of the productivity of Texel and Rouge de l’Ouest ewes and their crosses

2002 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. R. Dawson ◽  
A. F. Carson ◽  
L. O. W. McClinton
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Average Figure

AbstractAn experiment was undertaken to compare the productivity of crossbred ewes, produced by crossing Texel sires with Rouge de l’Ouest (Rouge) dams and Rouge sires with Texel dams, relative to purebred Texel and Rouge ewes. The purebred and crossbred ewes were crossed with Rouge and Texel sires. The proportion of productive ewes was similar in the purebred and crossbred ewes with an average figure of 0·92. Irrespective of crossing sire, Rouge ewes produced 0·48 more lambs per ewe lambed than Texel ewes (P < 0·001). The two crossbred ewe types (Texel ✕ Rouge and Rouge ✕ Texel) each produced similar numbers of lambs (on average 1·92 lambs per ewe lambed). Individual heterosis values for ewe fertility and prolificacy were small and not significant (–1·67 for the proportion of productive ewes and –3·14 for the number of lambs born per ewe lambed). Maternal heterosis values were also not significant but were of larger magnitude (6·26 for ewe fertility and 3·12 for prolificacy). Lamb mortality (number of lambs born dead per ewe lambed) at birth was similar for purebred Rouge (0·44) and Texel (0·30) ewes and was significantly reduced by crossbred matings and mating the crossbred ewes (individual heterosis –30·68, P < 0·10; maternal heterosis –80·23, P < 0·001). Individual and maternal heterosis values for lamb growth rate from birth to six weeks were 8 (P < 0·05) and 4 (P > 0·05) respectively. Lamb growth rate from birth to weaning was significantly lower in lambs from Texel ewes compared with those from the other genotypes (P < 0·05). Individual and maternal heterosis values for live-weight gain from birth to weaning were 5 (P < 0·10) and 5 (P < 0·01). The results of the current study demonstrate the superior performance of purebred Rouge ewes compared with purebred Texel ewes in terms of prolificacy and lamb growth rate from birth to weaning. However, both breeds had high lamb mortality at birth. Crossbreeding led to the production of hybrid ewes which had relatively high prolificacy with low levels of dystocia and lamb mortality.

Photoperiodic requirements for rapid growth in young male red deer

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Webster ◽  
I. D. Corson ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
S. K. Stuart ◽  
J. M. Suttie
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Lower Amplitude

AbstractWinter growth of young male red deer can be increased by exposure to 16 h of light (L) and 8 h of dark (D) per day (16L: 8D). This study tested the duration of photoperiod required for this growth response, determined if the time to reach slaughter weight can be reduced and monitored plasma IGF-1, prolactin and reproductive development. Fifty male calves were allocated to five equal groups. Four groups were housed indoors and for 33 weeks from the winter solstice (22 June, southern hemisphere) until 11 February were placed under either 16L: 8D (16L), 13·25L: 10·75D (13L), 10·751:13·25D (111) or 8L: 16D (8L) photoperiods. The fifth group of deer (OC) remained outside in a gravelled enclosure. All groups were given a pelleted diet ad libitum. Group food intake was recorded daily, individual live weight was measured weekly and testes diameter and blood samples taken at weekly or 2-week intervals.Plasma prolactin concentrations in 16L increased within 4 weeks of treatment and were different (P < 0·001) between groups from 14 August to 4 September. IGF-1 increased in both 16L and 13L 4 weeks after treatments and then increased further in 16L above that of 13L (P < 0·01). All groups grew at the same rate for the first 7 weeks. 16L then gained more weight (P < 0·001) than the other groups over the next 19 weeks (50·7 kg v. 38·5 for 13L, 35·7 for 11L, 37·0 for 8L and 37·4 for OC; s.e.d. 3·76). Food intake was positively related to growth rate in a similar way among the inside groups (P < 0·001), however there was a higher energy requirement outdoors (P < 0·05). A target live weight for slaughter of 95 kg was reached 7 weeks earlier for 16L than the other groups (P < 0·01). Testes diameter of 16L was larger than in the other groups from 13 November until 24 December (P < 0·001). The growth oflSL slowed from 1 January while that of OC increased and the live weight ofOC was equal to 16L by the end of the experiment. OC also had the largest testes diameter from 5 February onwards (P < 0·01). The live-weight increase in OC was associated with increases in both prolactin and IGF-1 levels.This study confirmed that 16L: 8D stimulates rapid growth of young male red deer during winter for sufficient time to achieve an earlier slaughter date. The live-weight advantage was lost by late summer however. The increased growth rate was mediated by food intake and associated with increases in IGF-1 and prolactin and earlier reproductive development. Photoperiods of 13 h of light per day or less did not stimulate growth and increases in IGF-1 and prolactin were of a lower amplitude than under 16L: 8D.

Evaluation of Bos indicus and Bos taurus straightbreds and crosses. II. Post-weaning growth, puberty, and pelvic size of heifers

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
PF Arthur ◽  
R Barlow ◽  
PJ Kohun ◽  
RE Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
The Other ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Medium Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pelvic Size

Post-weaning growth and body condition, puberty and pelvic size of 197 heifers comprising straightbred Hereford (HxH) and Brahman (BxB), first-cross (BxH) and back-cross (HxBH and BxBH) heifers were evaluated. The heifers were born over a 3 year period, and grazed improved and semi-improved pastures following weaning at Grafton, New South Wales. Prior to weaning, heifers had been reared by dams on three pasture systems (high, medium and low quality pastures). Heifers from low quality pre-weaning pasture had higher (P < 0.05) post-weaning liveweight gain than those from high and medium quality pastures. BxH heifers gained 71 g/day more (P < 0.05) than the mean gain of their contemporaries of the other genotypes, whose gains were similar, from weaning to either 26 or to 30 months of age. Liveweight at all ages was influenced by genotype x pre-weaning pasture system interaction. At 30 months of age, BxH heifers from high and medium pre-weaning pastures were the heaviest. At the same age, but from low quality pre-weaning pasture, heifers with crossbred dams (HxBH and BxBH) were the heaviest. Wither height depended significantly (P < 0.05) on the proportion of Bos indicus genes, increasing from 113.8 cm in the HxH heifers to 124.4 cm in the BxB heifers at 30 months of age. BxH heifers had a higher (P < 0.05) body condition score than their contemporaries of the other genotypes, which were in similar condition, at 26 and 30 months of age. On average (across pre-weaning pasture system), 9% of BxB heifers had reached puberty by 22 months of age compared to 62, 95, 82 and 64% (s.e.= 9) for HxH, HxBH, BxH and BxBH heifers respectively. No significant genotype differences were obtained in the height, width and size of the pelvic opening of the heifers, measured just prior to the beginning of the mating season at 26 months of age.

Relocation does not have a significant effect on the growth rate of Bos indicus cross steers

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 608 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Holroyd ◽  
V. J. Doogan ◽  
M. R. Jeffery ◽  
J. A. Lindsay ◽  
B. K. Venus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
Native Pastures

This experiment tested the hypothesis that relocating cattle is detrimental to their growth. The study examined the effect of having relocated cattle mixed with, or segregated from, the local acclimatised cattle at the destination property. Bos indicus cross steers (120) were allocated to three groups and were relocated, in two separate cohorts, 980 km from northern Queensland to improved pastures in central Queensland. At the start of Phase 1, the control group (C) was moved 3 months before the other two groups. The remaining two groups grazed native pastures; one group was supplemented (SR) to increase growth rate similar to that expected from improved pasture in central Queensland and the other was not supplemented (R). At the end of Phase 1, C was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than SR, which was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than R. At the start of Phase 2, the SR and R groups were relocated and after transportation the R and SR groups lost 12 kg or 4.4% of liveweight and 18 kg or 5.7% of liveweight, respectively; this weight loss was recovered after 5 days. All steers were reallocated to segregated (SEG) or mixed (MIX) treatment groups forming six treatments (SEG.C, SEG.R and SEG.SR and MIX.C, MIX.R and MIX.SR). There were no significant differences in liveweights within the SEG treatments by 57 days or within the MIX treatments by 106 days after relocation. There were few if any significant differences in the plasma constituents and differential leucocyte counts of the steers and most results were within physiologically normal ranges. We conclude on the basis of these results and of other experiments that the anecdotal poor performance of cattle after relocation appears to be unfounded.

Effects of crossbred ewe genotype and ram genotype on ewe prolificacy, lamb viability and lamb output in the lowland sector

2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. R. DAWSON ◽  
A. F. CARSON
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
The Other ◽  
Lean Growth ◽  
And Control ◽  
Lamb Growth

A study was carried out on five lowland farms in Northern Ireland over 3 years to investigate the effect of crossbred ewe and ram genotype on ewe prolificacy, lamb viability and weaned lamb output. Four crossbred ewe genotypes were sourced from six hill farms involved in a previous study – Bluefaced Leicester×Blackface (BLXB), Texel×Blackface (TXB), Suffolk×Cheviot (SXCH) and Texel×Cheviot (TXCH). On each farm, groups of 20–30 of each crossbred ewe genotype were mated with Suffolk or Texel rams. Throughout the 3 years of the study, the ewe genotypes lambed at 1, 2 and 3 years of age. Within each of the ram breeds, high lean growth index rams sourced from UK sire reference schemes were compared with rams sourced from flocks not involved in objective genetic improvement programmes (control). BLXB ewes were the most prolific of the four ewe genotypes producing 1.73 lambs per ewe lambed compared with 1.47 for TXB, 1.46 for SXCH and 1.41 for TXCH (P<0.001). Lamb mortality was similar for the four ewe genotypes, thus number of lambs weaned was greatest for the BLXB ewes (P<0.001) with the other three crosses producing similar numbers of lambs. A greater proportion (P<0.05) of SXCH ewes lambed without assistance compared with BLXB and TXB ewes and a greater proportion of TXCH ewes had abundant supplies of colostrum compared with the other crosses (P<0.10). Output of weaned lamb per ewe lambed and per ewe metabolic live weight (P<0.001) was greatest in the BLXB ewes. Ewe productivity, prolificacy, number of lambs weaned and the proportion of ewes lambing without assistance increased with ewe age (P<0.001). Lamb growth rate from birth to 6 weeks and from birth to weaning increased with ewe age (P<0.05). Crossbred ewes lambing at 3 years old had a greater output of weaned lamb compared with ewes lambing at 1 and 2 years old (P<0.001). Ram genotype had no effect on ewe prolificacy, lamb viability or pre-weaning growth rates, although Texel-sired lambs had lower birth weights than Suffolk-sired lambs and control-sired lambs had lower birth weights than high lean index-sired lambs (P<0.05).

Post-weaning growth of Hereford and first-cross heifers grazing three pasture systems

1989 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Hearnshaw ◽  
R. E. Darnell ◽  
R. Barlow ◽  
Virginia Finch
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Frame Size ◽  
Skeletal Size ◽  
Pelvic Area ◽  
Genotype Interaction ◽  
Similar Body

SummaryThe post-weaning growth, frame size and body condition of Hereford (H × H), Brahman × Hereford (B × H), Simmental × Hereford (S × H) and Friesian × Hereford (F × H) heifers were evaluated on three pasture systems in each of five years. One group of heifers was grown from weaning (at 8 months of age) to 18 months on the high-pasture system, which included supplementation with grain, while the other two groups were grown to 30 months on pastures of medium or low quality. Pasture effects were large compared with differences between years, with average daily gains between weaning and 18 months of 552, 275 and 97 g/day on high, medium and low pastures, respectively. Genotype had a significant effect on all measurements. Pasture × genotype interaction was significant in most instances. While crosses grew faster and were heavier than H × H on all pastures, S × H were heaviest by 18 months on high pasture, with B × H heaviest at all ages up to 30 months on both medium and low pastures. There was little difference in live weight between B × H and F × H on high pasture, or between S × H and F × H on medium pasture, whereas F × H was heavier than S × H on low pasture. There were concomitant differences in measures of skeletal size, but when adjusted allometrically to a common live weight, pasture effects were removed, while differences between genotypes remained. At a common live weight F × H had the largest height, length and pelvic area, but shared the lowest body condition with S × H. Pelvic height was greatest among B × H heifers, but this cross had similar body length, condition and subcutaneous fat cover to H × H. The pattern of genotype × pasture interaction observed in this study was similar to that observed by Darnell, Hearnshaw & Barlow (1987) for growth rate among contemporary steers located in different environments.

Growth and herbage consumption of grazing Merino and Border Leicester lambs reared by their mothers or fostered by ewes of the other breed

1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

SUMMARYEight Border Leicester castrated male lambs (wethers) were fostered on to 8 Merino ewes (MB) at birth, and 10 Merino wethers were fostered on to Border Leicester ewes (BM). Two additional groups of 10 wethers consisted of Border Leicester lambs (BB) and Merino lambs (MM) reared by their natural mothers. The lambs and ewes grazed together and growth rate, and milk and herbage consumption of the lambs were recorded.Live-weight gains to weaning at 74 days were 275, 245, 204 and 184 g/day for groups BB, MB, BM and MM respectively. Lambs reared by Border Leicester ewes received more milk and consumed less grass than lambs of similar genotype reared by Merinos, but BM lambs consumed less milk than BB lambs. Merino lambs also consumed less grass than Border Leicester lambs.It was concluded that Merinos grew more slowly than Border Leicester lambs primarily because of their lower voluntary food intake. The lower milk production of Merino ewes was considered to be of secondary significance since if herbage is available ad libitum, lambs with high voluntary intakes will compensate for the lack of milk by consuming more forage.

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