Genetic and environmental influences on beef cattle production in Zambia 4. Weaner production from purebred and reciprocally crossbred dams

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Thorpe ◽  
D. K. R. Cruickshank ◽  
R. Thompson

ABSTRACTEstimates of dam reproductive performance are reported for purebred Africander, Angoni, Barotse and Boran dams, and the reciprocal crossbreds of the latter three breeds, under ranching conditions in Zambia.Mean performances based on a maximum of 1996 records collected over six parities were: calving rate, 65·6%; weaning rate, 62·8%; calf birth weight, 26·6kg; calf weaning weight, 163·6kg; and dam live weight at weaning, 363 0 kg.Purebred Africander and Barotse dams had significantly poorer calving rates, 542 and 57·6% respectively, than the purebred dams of the Angoni and Boran breeds, 69·1 and 66·0% respectively. Reciprocal crossbred dams of the latter two breeds had the highest calving rates, 71·2 and 74·4%. Heterosis estimates for calving rate were 0·8% for Angoni/Barotse crosses, 7·8% for Angoni/Boran crosses and 10·3% for Barotse/Boran crosses and, for weaning rate, 3·7, 6·7 and 11·5% respectively. There were no differences between reciprocal crossbred dams for calving and weaning percentages. The mortality rate of calves born to crossbred dams was 40% and that of the calves born to purebred dams of the same breeds 4·7%. Dam status at mating had an important effect on fertility with the calving rate of dams dry at mating, 89·1%, contrasting with a rate of 39·8% for those dams that were lactating at mating and that had calved late in the season.There were large differences between breeds for calf weights but heterosis estimates were small and nonsignificant. There were no differences between the progeny weights of reciprocal crossbred dams. Sex, date and period of birth, and dam status had significant effects on calf weights.Africander dams had the heaviest, and Angoni dams the lightest, live weights at weaning, 421·1 and 320·7 kg respectively. Heterosis estimates for dam live weights were small and non-significant, and reciprocal crossbred differences were unimportant. Dams which lost most live weight during the dry season, that had extremely light live weights at the beginning of the breeding season or that gained little weight during the breeding season had significantly poorer fertility than other dams.Overall estimates of heritability derived by dam/daughter regression were 0·20 for calving percentage, 0·76 for calf birth weight and 0·72 for calf weaning weight.

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Thorpe ◽  
D. K. R. Cruickshank ◽  
R. Thompson

ABSTRACTFactors influencing reproductive performance and calf and dam live weights were examined for two indigenous breeds, Angoni and Barotse, and an introduced breed, Boran, under ranching conditions in Zambia.Over 5 years, 675 Angoni, 731 Barotse and 815 Boran records gave calving percentages of 82·5, 78·1 and 75·4 respectively. Year was an important influence on calving and weaning percentages in all breeds; age of dam had little effect and status at mating was only important in the Angoni breed, in which lactating dams produced more calves than dry dams.Mean calf weaning weights were 147·3, 167·0 and 169·5 kg for the Angoni, Barotse and Boran dam breeds respectively. Hereford, Friesian and Boran bulls sired heavier progeny than Angoni and Barotse. Dam age and status did not influence calf weights, which were positively correlated with dam weights and negatively correlated with dam weight change during lactation.Dam live weights at the beginning of the breeding season were 313, 357 and 348 kg for the Angoni, Barotse and Boran breeds respectively. Angoni and Boran dams reached maximum live weight at 7 years and Barotses at 9 years. Subsequent calving rate was not influenced by live weight at the beginning of the breeding season nor, in lactating dams, by live-weight change between the autumn peak and mid breeding season.


1973 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Haycock ◽  
D. A. Stewart

SUMMARYIn three successive years cows from an Aberdeen Angus cross Shorthorn herd were mated to pedigree Charolais, British Friesian and Hereford bulls. A comparison of the progeny of the three breeds of sire under controlled conditions was therefore possible using a random selection of dams for mating, and identical rearing of the calves. Results for live-weight gain of the suckled progeny were analysed and showed superiority of the Charolais breed over the other two when used in this form of beef cattle production.For birth weights and daily live-weight gains, particularly during the grazing period, the Charolais cross progeny showed superiority over the other two. There was a consistent although not always statistically significant tendency for these differences between the breed crosses to occur in the male calves only, the females showing little difference between breeds. The data also showed highly significant relationships between gestation period and birth weight, both within and between breed crosses.


Author(s):  
Mesut Yıldırır ◽  
Orhan Karadağ ◽  
Mustafa Yilmaz ◽  
Mehmet Akif Yüksel ◽  
Tamer Sezenler ◽  
...  

The aims of this study were to evaluate the traits of reproductive, milking and growth performance of Saanen and Saanen × Hair crossbreds (F1, B1 and B2) raised at the Bandırma Sheep Research Institute. The data were collected from 868 goats for reproductive performance and milk yield and from 1077 kids for survival performance between 2009-2012. Milk components (fat, protein, lactose and non-fat dry matter) of goats (n=162) and body weight changes of kid’s (n=64) were evaluated for one year in 2012. Estrus rates and survival rates were similar among all genotypes. Kidding rate was significantly higher in F1 goats than Saanen goats. Saanen goat had the lowest average mean daily milk yield compared with other genotypes. The effect of year and age were significant on milk yield. Goats in F1 and B1 genotypes had higher milk protein percentage and non-fat dry matter content in comparison with Saanen and B2 genotype. Milk fat and lactose contents were similar among genotypes. Birth weight and monthly live weight were similar between genotypes while weaning weight, six month live weight and yearling live weight were higher in B1 kids in comparison with Saanen kids. The effect of dam age and birth type were significant on birth weight, monthly live weight and weaning weight. The findings related to performance characteristics in goat genotypes investigated show that B1 genotype could be recommend for semi-intensive production system in the Western Anatolia.


1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Gaughan ◽  
R. D. A. Cameron ◽  
G. McL. Dryden ◽  
M. J. Josey

AbstractReproductive records from 1072 Large White sows (3589 litters) were used to examine the effect ofbackfat depth (Bd) and live weight (Lw) at selection on first litter and lifetime reproductive performance. The variables investigated included mating age, total piglets born, total born alive, piglet birth weight, number weaned, piglet weaning weight, weaning to remating period and number of litters produced. Using backfat depth, sows were categorized into three groups: L, 9 to 13 mm; M, 14 to 16 mm; and F, ≥17 mm. Bd had no significant effect (P > 0·05) on the measured traits for the sows grouped by fat at first parity. When lifetime reproductive data were analysed, the L group had fewer litters (P < 0·05), and weaned fewer pigs (P < 0·01) than either the M or F group. The birth weight for piglets from L sows were significantly higher (P < 0·05) than for piglets from the other groups. The data suggest that the reproductive performance of L sows is not as good as that of M or F sows.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3325
Author(s):  
Alice Poggi Brandão ◽  
Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke

Temperament is often defined as the behavioral expression of animals in response to human interaction. Cattle temperament can be evaluated using an association of chute score and exit velocity, with cattle then classified as adequate or excitable temperament. To assess the impacts of temperament on various beef systems, these evaluation criteria were associated with productive and reproductive parameters of Bos taurus and B. indicus-influenced cattle. Consistently across studies, excitable cattle had greater plasma cortisol compared to animals with adequate temperament. Studies also reported that excitable beef females have poorer reproductive performance compared to calmer cohorts, including reduced annual pregnancy rates, decreased calving rate, weaning rate, and kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding. Acclimating B. indicus × B. taurus or B. taurus heifers to human handling improved behavioral expression of temperament and hastened puberty attainment. However, similar benefits were not observed when mature cows were acclimated to human handling. Collectively, temperament of beef females measured via behavioral responses upon human handling impacts their reproductive and productive responses independent of breed type, and should be considered for optimal beef cattle production.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 849
Author(s):  
Addisu H. Addis ◽  
Hugh T. Blair ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon ◽  
Stephen T. Morris ◽  
Nicola M. Schreurs

In New Zealand, surplus dairy-origin calves not needed as replacement or for beef cattle farms requirements for finishing are commercially slaughtered within two weeks of age. This system has perceived ethical issues which can potentially negatively affect the dairy industry. Therefore, a young beef cattle production system to maximize the use of excess calves within the land size constraint is considered as an alternative to a traditional 18 to 33-months slaughtering system. The current study examined the effects of young beef cattle production with slaughter ages at 8 to 14 months on pasture utilization, farm profitability and selling policy on class 5, intensive finishing sheep and beef cattle farms in New Zealand. A linear programming model that had previously been developed for this farm class (optimized traditional beef cattle system) was modified to include a young beef cattle slaughter system and identified the carrying capacity for young and traditional beef cattle and the selling policy required to optimize pasture utilization and farm profitability. Systems with young beef cattle slaughtered at 8, 10, 12 or 14-months of age were simulated without (Scenario I) or with (Scenario II) decreasing the number of traditional beef cattle. Daily per head energy demand for maintenance and live weight change was estimated and converted to kg DM/head on a bimonthly basis. Carcasses from young beef cattle were processed as one class under manufacturing beef price (NZ$4.50). The modified young and traditional beef cattle slaughtering system maintained an extra 6% and 35% beef cattle in Scenario I and Scenario II respectively, and finished 90% and 84% of traditional beef cattle before the second winter. Pasture supplied 98% of the feed demand for the beef cattle activities and 79–83% of that was consumed. Mixed young and traditional beef cattle finishing scenarios returned 2% less gross farm revenue per hectare (GFR/ha). However, earnings before tax per hectare (ETB/ha) in Scenario I and Scenario II were 15–25% greater than that of the optimized traditional beef cattle system, respectively. Young beef cattle production increased pasture utilization and farm profitability and increased selling options for finished beef cattle. Therefore, the young beef cattle system is a viable option for farmers and will help to reduce the need to slaughter calves within two weeks of age.


1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Thorpe ◽  
D. K. R. Cruickshank ◽  
R. Thompson

ABSTRACTLive weights from birth to 3·5 years are reported for beef cattle reared under ranching conditions in Zambia. The 809 cattle were purebred Africanders, Angonis, Barotses and Borans and the reciprocal crossbreds of the latter three breeds born in 2 years. All animals born in the 1st year and half the males born in the 2nd year grazed natural grassland. The remaining males and all females born in the 2nd year received, in addition, dry season supplementary feed from 1·5 years of age.The interaction of genotype with year-of-birth was important but not the interactions of genotype with management or sex. Purebred progeny of the introduced Africander breed were heavier than the progeny of the indigenous Angoni and Barotse breeds in both year-of-birth groups, but only heavier than progeny of the introduced Boran breed in the first group. On average, the Africander progeny had live-weight advantages of about 16% and 10%, and the Boran progeny advantages of about 12·5% and 5·5% over the purebred Angoni and Barotse progeny respectively. Heterosis estimates tended to increase with age, reaching levels of about 5 to 6% in the Barotse/Boran crosses at and after 1·5 years. Heterosis was not shown by the other crosses. The Barotse and Boran breeds had similar maternal effects which were superior to those of the Angoni breed.


Author(s):  
Khairol Mizan Us ◽  
M. Aman Yaman ◽  
Edy Fradinata

The problem in management process and production of Aceh beef cattle farms in Aceh Besar  has not been explored. This study aimed to determine the basic system of supply chain for the Aceh beef cattle production in Central Aceh Besar developed a model for optimizing the supply chain management and sustainability to increase productivity and business efficiency. This research used SWOT analysis and industrial supply chain approaches. The results showed that the current supply chain system of the Aceh beef cattle industry in Aceh Besar which has been running so far, needs to be strengthened to increase production and population of Aceh beef cattle in the future.  There were 4 issues were identified: time, 29.6% faster than the current supply chain supply time;  method, 60% no longer needed a business intermediary; cost, 21.4% of the live weight price of cattle was cheaper than the live weight price of current supply chain cattle; and stages, 30.8% shorter than the ongoing supply chain stages. The result of the SWOT analysis matrix showed that the SO (strength-opportunities) strategy was the main strategy for business developing of Aceh beef cattle in Central Aceh. In conclusion, it is necessary to optimize the implementation of the supply chain of Aceh Cattle Industry at Central Aceh by utilizing its strengths and suppressing the existing weaknesses from the breeding production to marketing process.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 3241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érick Lemes Gamarra ◽  
Maria Da Graça Morais ◽  
Roberto Giolo de Almeida ◽  
Natália Aguiar Paludetto ◽  
Mariana Pereira ◽  
...  

The aim of the current study is to assess three integrated systems presenting different eucalyptus tree densities due to animal and forage production. The following integrated systems were assessed: crop-livestock-forest with 357 eucalyptus trees ha-1 (ICLF1); crop-livestock-forest with 227 eucalyptus trees ha-1 (ICLF2); and crop-livestock with 5 remnant native trees ha-1 (ICL). The randomized block experimental design was applied in a split-plot scheme with four replicates. The Average Daily Gain (ADG, g animal-1day-1) and the live-weight gain per area (LWG, kg ha-1) were applied to analyze animal performance, which was set by weighing the animals every 28 days (the animals previously fasted for 16h). Forage yield was higher in ICL during fall and winter; in summer, it did not differ from ICLF2. There was no forage yield difference between the ICL and ICLF2 systems in any of the assessed seasons; summer was more productive in ILPF1 than other seasons. The highest leaf crude protein contents (CP) in summer was recorded in systems ICLF1 and ICLF2, and the highest value recorded in fall was found in ILPF1; the lowest was found in ILP. On the other hand, the highest leaf NDF contents in summer were found in ILP. The highest ADG were found in summer. The highest LWG values recorded for the ICL and ICLF2 systems were collected in summer and fall; there was no difference in any of the three systems in winter. The LWG was higher in all system in summer. The ICLF2 emerged as the system (with trees) most appropriate for beef cattle production. Despite the shading interference on forage production, such condition is compensated by the best nutritional contents such as CP. The ICLF2 system allowing an annual LWG of 83% in relation to the ICL system during the fifth year of establishment of the systems.


1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
K Baharin ◽  
RG Beilharz

An analysis of the reproductive, performance of beef cattle based on 5840 records of performance from thirteen properties in Victoria was made. Traits analysed included calving rate, twinning rate, mortality of calves, age at first calving interval. When all data were pooled, mean age at first calving was 863.5 days, calving interval 361 days, calving rate 88.7 per cent, mortality rate at birth of the calves 4.3 per cent, pre-weaning mortality 1.5 per cent, post-weaning mortality 0.3 per cent and twinning rate 1.5 per cent. Wide variation in reproductive performance was observed between properties. As found in other studies, age of dam was the main factor affecting reproductive performance and adjustments to take account of this variation are necessary when comparing the performance of different animals.


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