Evaluation of Bos indicus and Bos taurus straightbreds and crosses. I. Post-weaning growth of steers in different environments

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 783 ◽  
Author(s):  
PF Arthur ◽  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
PJ Kohun ◽  
R Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Back Cross ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Medium Quality ◽  
Daily Gain

Post-weaning growth of 186 steers comprizing straightbred Hereford (H x H) and Brahman (B x B), first-cross (B x H) and back-cross (H x BH and B x BH) was evaluated. The steers had been raised to weaning (8 months of age) by dams which grazed either high, medium or low quality pasture (pre-weaning pasture system) at Grafton, N.S.W. The steers were grown on pasture from time of weaning in one of three locations in New South Wales representing subtropical, temperate-good, and temperate-good to poor environments, and slaughtered when the average fat cover of the back-cross steers in each environment was 4-10 mm at the 12113th rib. Pre-weaning pasture system had a significant effect on post-weaning growth, with mean post-weaning (8-48 months of age) average daily gain (ADG) of steers from low (327� 8 g/day) being higher than that of steers from medium (304�6 g/day), which in turn, was higher than that of steers from high (276�9 g/day) quality pre-weaning pasture, indicating that steers from low and medium quality pastures exhibited compensatory growth. From 8 to 24 months of age, first-cross BxH steers had the highest ADG in all environments. The ranking of the other genotypes differed across environments. In the environment where growth rate was lowest (178 g/day for B x H), B x B and B x BH steers grew faster than H x H and H x BH steers; where growth rate was highest (584 g/day for B x H), the order was reversed; and where growth rate was intermediate (323 g/day for B x H), there were no significant differences in ADG among H x H, H x BH, B x BH and B x B steers. Steers from only two environments were retained after 24 months of age. Mean ADG from 8 to 36 or 48 months of age was not significantly different among straightbred and back-cross steers, but was lower than that for the first-cross steers. Genotype x environment interaction for liveweight at slaughter was not significant. First-cross B x H steers were 56 kg (11%) heavier (P < 0.05) than back-cross steers, which in turn, were 37 kg (8%) heavier (P < 0.05) than straightbred steers at slaughter.

Growth and carcass characteristics of crossbred and straightbred Hereford steers. III. Post-weaning growth in seven environments in New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 941 ◽  
Author(s):  
RE Darnell ◽  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
R Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Coastal Environments ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Constant Growth

Post-weaning growth, liveweight and body condition at slaughter were examined in 289 steers comprised of straightbred Hereford and first cross Brahman x Hereford, Simmental x Hereford and Friesian x Hereford. The steers were grown from weaning in seven environments throughout New South Wales. All steers were slaughtered when the average fat cover of the Herefords was in the range of 6-10 mm at the 12/13th rib. Brahman crossbreds were in similar body condition to Herefords at slaughter, which in turn were generally in better condition than both Simmental and Friesian crossbreds. Crossbred steers were heavier than Herefords at slaughter. Simmental crosses and Friesian crosses were 53 kg (12%) heavier on average over all environments, and Brahman crosses 41 kg (10%) and 83 kg (16%) heavier in inland and coastal environments respectively. Mean average daily gain (ADG) of the crossbred steers was always greater than that of the Hereford steers. There was a trend for ADG to be greater among the Brahman crosses earlier in the post-weaning period, but for the Simmental and Friesian crosses to grow faster later in the post-weaning period. Simmental crosses maintained a constant ADG advantage relative to Friesian crosses throughout the post-weaning period in environments where growth was favoured. Significant genotype x environment interactions occurred. Relative to Herefords, Simmental and Friesian crossbreds responded more to improved conditions, while Brahman crossbreds maintained a constant growth advantage regardless of environmental conditions. Bos taurus crosses grew faster than Brahman crosses, and Simmental crosses faster than Friesian crosses, only when environments were highly favourable.

An analysis of beef cattle growth records available in south-eastern Australia

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (44) ◽  
pp. 262
Author(s):  
WE Mason ◽  
RG Beilharz ◽  
R Carraill
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Daily Gain

Records of growth to weaning of 1812 calves from seven herds in Victoria and one herd in New South Wales were analysed. The results of the analysis were : 1. Preweaning growth rate of heifers decreased significantly with age at weaning. That of bulls and steers did not. 2. Age of dam had a large effect in all three sexes. Environmental factors (properties, years) affected bull calves more than heifer calves. There were fewer degrees of freedom at these levels of the analysis for steers. 3. Adjustments for age of dam were calculated and are presented (table 3). 4. Heritability estimates were obtained from dam-progeny regressions and intra-class correlations. The heritability of adjusted preweaning average daily gain was about 0.25. Clearly many more records need to be analysed to provide further estimates of heritability.

Evaluation of Bos indicus and Bos taurus straightbreds and crosses. III. Direct and maternal genetic effects on growth traits

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
PF Arthur ◽  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
PJ Kohun ◽  
R Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Additive Effect ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Medium Quality

Data on Brahman and Hereford cattle and their crosses were used to estimate direct additive, direct heterosis, maternal additive and maternal heterosis effects for pre-weaning and post-weaning liveweights, average daily gain (ADG) and height at various ages. The cattle were born at Grafton, N.S.W., and raised on high, medium and low quality pastures until weaning. During the post-weaning period, the steers were grown in three environments in New South Wales, while the heifers remained at Grafton. Genetic effects were estimated by regression and the additive components expressed as deviations from Hereford effect. Weaning weight and pre-weaning ADG of Hereford calves (both sexes) were 237.8 kg and 827 g/day on high, 210.5 kg and 704 g/day on medium, and 128.3 kg and 425 g/day on low quality pastures respectively. Post-weaning ADG of Hereford steers (weaning to 36 months) and heifers (weaning to 30 months) was 296 and 240 g/day respectively. Direct heterosis was significant (P<0.05) for most traits. Estimates of direct heterosis for weaning weight were 24.9 and 20.2 kg, and for pre-weaning ADG were 79 and 68 g/day, on high and medium quality pastures respectively. Direct heterosis for ADG of steers (weaning to 36 months) and heifers (weaning to 30 months) was 91 and 76 g/day respectively. Estimates of maternal heterosis for weaning weights were 14.9, 30.9 and 37.8 kg and for pre-weaning ADG were 31 (not significant), 105 and 153 g/day, for high, medium and low quality pastures respectively. Maternal heterosis for ADG of steers (weaning to 36 months) was -47 g/day. There was a negative direct additive effect on post-weaning ADG in environments where pasture quality was good, but the effect was not significant on poor quality pasture. Maternal additive effect was negative for birth weight for high and medium quality pastures and positive for weaning weight and pre-weaning ADG on low quality pasture. The performance of untested crosses can be predicted from the estimates and models provided.

Reducing calcium and phosphorus in crossbred beef cattle diets: impacts on productive performance during the growing and finishing phase

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Prados ◽  
S. C. Valadares Filho ◽  
S. A. Santos ◽  
D. Zanetti ◽  
A. N. Nunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Crossbred Cattle ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Daily Gain

Forty 3/4 Bos indicus × 1/4 Bos taurus bulls (initial bodyweight = 214 ± 4 kg; 11 ± 0.2 months) were used in the study. Four bulls were slaughtered as reference and the other 36 bulls were allowed ad libitum consumption of treatment diets following a completely randomised 3 × 3 factorial design. The design included three diet concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P): standard, 50% of standard, and 75% of standard and three periods of feedlot confinement: 8, 16, and 24 weeks with four bulls per treatment combination. The diets were isonitrogenous and consisted of 60 : 40 corn silage to concentrate. Dry matter intake, crude protein, ether extract, organic matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, Ca, and P, expressed as kg/day, were greater (P < 0.05) for bulls confined for longer periods. Nutrient digestibility and average daily gain was not affected (P > 0.05) by Ca and P concentration of diet or by feedlot phase. Dressing were decreased (P < 0.05) for bulls that remained in confinement for a shorter period. The daily maintenance requirements of Ca and P were 13.66 and 21.51 mg/kg empty bodyweight, respectively, and the absorption coefficients of Ca and P were 0.70 and 0.67, respectively. We concluded that for crossbred cattle in the feedlot, dietary levels of Ca and P recommended by BR-CORTE (2010), NRC (2000), and AFRC (1991) could be reduced by 62%, 66%, and 57%, respectively, for Ca and by 14%, 15%, and 43%, respectively, for P with significant savings in costs. This study shows that Ca and P can be reduced to 1.8 and 2.2 g/kg DM respectively, in the diets for crossbred cattle in feedlot.

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.

Factors affecting pre-weaning growth and weaning conformation of Angus cattle

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
R Barlow ◽  
EB Dettmann ◽  
LG Williams
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Daily Gain

Weaning weight (ww) and conformation score (cs) records from Angus calves in five New South Wales herds were analysed by least-squares procedures to assess the nature and magnitude of variation. Herd, year, age of dam and sex were considered as main effects. Covariates included in the models were weaning age (WA) for ww and average daily gain (ADG), and both WA and ww for cs. Male calves (steers and bulls) were 16.6 kg heavier at weaning than female calves. Dams that were 5-8 years of age weaned calves that were 30.1 kg, 15.4 kg and 6.7 kg heavier than 2-, 3- and 4-year-old dams respectively. When ww was not included as a covariate in the model, age of dam effects on cs reflected those on ww, and there was little difference in cs between males and females. When adjusted for differences in ww, males had poorer cs than females, and calves from 3-year-old dams, and from dams over 8 years old, had poorer cs than those from dams of all other ages. Partial regressions of ww and ADG on WA, and of cs on ww, varied considerably between herd/year/sex subgroups.

The effect of stocking rate on the performance of steers in central coastal New South Wales

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (89) ◽  
pp. 899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davies H Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Paspalum Dilatatum ◽  
Period Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The University ◽  
Daily Gain

The effect of stocking rate and sowing one-eighth of the area to lucerne on the liveweight change and carcase characteristics of Hereford steers grazing pastures dominated by Paspalum dilatatum was studied at the Wolverton Farm of the University of Sydney, Bringelly, New South Wales from 1971 to 1974. Stocking rate (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 steers ha-1) had an effect upon mean daily liveweight gain in some periods and this was reflected in the number of days taken to achieve 450 kg. (1.5 ha-1 took 509 days, 2.0 took 595, 2.5 took 802 and 3.0 took 842 days). There were significant differences in average daily gain between replicates in most periods. The lucerne did not persist after the first year. Having one-eighth of the area sown to lucerne did not significantly affect daily liveweight gain. There were highly significant period effects with the highest daily gain occurring in spring and summer, the lowest in winter and gain in autumn being dependent upon rainfall and stocking rate. In many periods increasing stocking rate above 2.0 steers ha-1 did not increase the per hectare liveweight gain.

Preweaning growth of Brahman, Braford, and Africander first-cross calves in the subtropics of New South Wales

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
PF Arthur ◽  
R Barlow ◽  
W Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
The Other ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Preweaning Period

Preweaning growth of 435 first-cross Brahman x Hereford (BH), Braford x Hereford (BM) and Africander x Hereford (AM) calves was evaluated at Ballina in the subtropics of New South Wales. Thirty-five Brahman, 32 Braford, and 23 Africander sires were mated to Hereford females over 3 years to produce the calves. Mean gestation of BH calves (290 days) was 4 and 6 days longer than BfH and AfH calves, respectively. BH and AfH calves had more eyelid pigmentation (88 and 98%, respectively) than BM calves (59%). For males, birth weights of BH calves were higher than BfH, which, in turn, were heavier than AfH calves (38.6 v. 34.8 v. 31.5 kg). For females, birth weights of BH and BfH calves were not significantly different but were higher than those of AfH calves (33.3 and 32.6 v. 30.4 kg). BH calves had higher average daily gain (ADG) than BfH and AfH calves during the second half of the preweaning period, resulting in 200-day liveweights of 175.4, 167.5, and 167.3 kg for BH, BfH, and AfH calves. BH calves were taller and had larger girths than the other crosses at birth, but AM calves exhibited the greatest increase in height and body length from birth to weaning. For BH, BMI, and AfH calves, 34,6, and 94% were predominantly red, whereas 6, 94, and 5% were also red but had a Hereford coat colour pattern.

Evaluation of Hereford and first-cross cows on three pasture systems. II. Growth of Hereford and Brahman sired calves out of mature cows

1994 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hearnshaw ◽  
P. F. Arthur ◽  
P. J. Kohun ◽  
R. Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Medium Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Sire Breed

SUMMARYThe preweaning growth of the progeny of mature cows grazing high, medium or low quality pasture was evaluated. The cows were 5–9 years of age at the beginning of the study and were either purebred Hereford (H x H), first-cross Brahman x Hereford (B x H), Simmental x Hereford (S x H) or Friesian x Hereford (F x H). Hereford and Brahman bulls were mated to these cows for three mating seasons commencing in 1982, at Grafton, New South Wales, Australia. Records on 634 calves born over three consecutive years were used.Most traits were subject to significant sire breed or dam breed effects or their interactions with one or more of the other main effects (pasture, year of birth of calf, cow age and sex of calf). The incidences of calving difficulty and stillbirths were exceptions. Stillbirths (mean of 3·8%) were not affected by any of the effects studied, while calving difficulty was affected only by sex of calf effect (males, 3·9%; females, 0·8%). The mean calving date of Brahman-sired calves was 11·4 days later (P < 0·05) than that of Hereford-sired calves. Differences between Brahman-sired and Hereford-sired calves for weaning weight were not significant for S x H (Brahman, 237 kg; Hereford, 232 kg) and FxH (Brahman, 238kg; Hereford, 238kg) dams. For HxH dams however, calves sired by Brahman were heavier at weaning (205 kg) than those sired by Hereford (193 kg) bulls, while for B x H dams the reverse was true (Brahman, 222 kg; Hereford, 231 kg). For calves with B x H dams average daily gain (ADG) was the same (957 g/day) for each sire breed, while for the other dam breeds, Brahman-sired calves had a higher ADG than Hereford-sired calves (862 v. 779, 1014 v. 946 and 1022 v. 950 g/day for H x H, S x H and FxH, respectively). Calves sired by Brahman bulls had > 90% eyelid pigmentation while Hereford-sired calves had 44–74%. On high quality pasture, the weaning weights and ADG of calves of F x H and S x H dams were higher than those of B x H and HxH dams. On medium quality pasture, weaning weight of calves of crossbred dams (B x H, S x H and FxH) were similar but higher than those of H x H dams. On low quality pasture, mean weaning weight of calves of B x H was higher than those of S x H and F x H dams, which in turn, were higher than that of H x H dams.

scholarly journals Post-weaning growth of cattle in northern New South Wales. 2. Growth pathways of steers

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 971 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Dicker ◽  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
M. J. McPhee ◽  
D. L. Robinson ◽  
A. D. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Export Market ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
South Wales

This paper describes the post-weaning growth of Bos taurus and Bos taurus x Bos indicus-derived steers grazing temperate perennial pasture in northern New South Wales. These cattle were either autumn weaners from spring-calving herds in summer rainfall environments, or summer weaners from autumn-calving herds in winter rainfall environments. Autumn weaners were grown out on 3 pasture systems: (i) pasture only (P1), (ii) pasture supplemented in late winter–early spring with formulated pellets of high protein content (P2), or (iii) pasture supplemented with a nitrogen-fertilised forage crop (P3) to provide different growth pathways towards entry to the finishing phase. Over the 3-year study, seasonal liveweight gain on P1 varied between –0.21 and 1.05 kg/head.day; liveweight gain was generally low (about 0.5 kg/head.day) in winter and high (about 0.8 kg/head.day) in spring. Bos taurus autumn weaners achieved feedlot entry specifications for the domestic market (300 kg liveweight) in 6–8 weeks by the end of winter, and feedlot entry specifications for the export market (400 kg liveweight) in 17–27 weeks by the end of summer. For B. taurus x B. indicus-derived autumn weaners, the period to feedlot entry was 19 and 33 weeks for domestic and export feedlot entry specifications, respectively. Supplementary feeding generally increased post-weaning growth in late winter–early spring and reduced the period to feedlot entry for export steers. Summer weaners were grown out on pasture in P1, P2 or P3 pasture systems, met domestic feedlot entry specifications on arrival, but did not reach export feedlot entry specifications before the onset of winter imposed liveweight stasis. The most effective grow-out system was based on Bos taurus autumn weaners with supplementary feeding in winter–spring to overcome the limitations of the winter feed gap.

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