The importance of coat colour and coat type for productive performance of beef cattle under subtropical conditions

Genetic analyses of tropical adaptive traits were conducted for two tropically adapted genotypes, Brahman (BRAH) and Tropical Composite (TCOMP). Traits included tick scores (TICK), faecal egg counts (EPG), buffalo fly-lesion scores (FLY), rectal temperatures under hot conditions (TEMP), coat scores (COAT), coat colour on a light to dark scale (COLOUR), navel scores (NAVEL) and temperament measured as flight time (FT). The data comprised adaptive measures recorded at specific times on 2071 heifers comprising 966 BRAH and 1105 TCOMP. The genetic correlations of these adaptive traits with heifer growth, scanned carcass, pubertal measures and steer growth and carcass traits were estimated. BRAH recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower TICK, EPG, FLY and TEMP than did TCOMP. BRAH also had significantly sleeker coats, lighter coat colour, more pendulous navels and more docile temperament than did TCOMP. The heritability of TICK and FLY was low (<20%), that of EPG, TEMP, NAVEL and FT was moderate (20–50%) and that of COAT and COLOUR high (>50%). In general, phenotypic correlations between these adaptive traits were low and genetic correlations were non-significant, implying trait independence. Genetic correlations between EPG and weight traits (0.29 to 0.44) indicated a positive relationship, implying no deleterious effect of worms on the growth at a genetic level, especially in TCOMP. The negative genetic correlations between COAT and body-condition score across genotypes (–0.33 to –0.48) indicated genetic advantage of sleek coats in tropics. A positive genetic correlation between COAT and the age at the first-observed corpus luteum (0.73) in BRAH indicated that BRAH with sleeker coats were genetically early maturing. Further, sleeker coats were genetically indicative of lower weights and lower fat cover at puberty in BRAH. The scanned fat measures at rump and rib sites for feedlot steers showed strong genetic correlation (0.50–0.58) with heifer TEMP, indicating genetically fatter animals had genetically lower heat tolerance. In BRAH, a positive genetic association between heifer COLOUR and scanned fat measures in steers (0.50–0.54) implied increased fatness in genetically darker animals. Further, in BRAH, a strong negative genetic correlation (–0.97) was observed between steer retail beef yield and heifer TEMP, indicating a favourable genetic association. In general, genetic correlations between adaptive traits and other economic traits were genotype specific. Further, it can be concluded that selection for productive and pubertal traits in tropical beef cattle genotypes would not adversely affect their tropical adaptability.

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Associations of melanocortin 1 receptor genotype with growth and carcass traits in beef cattle

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas08094 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 295-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kim L McLean ◽

Sheila M Schmutz

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Key Words ◽

Coat Colour ◽

Longissimus Dorsi ◽

Red Pigment ◽

Melanocortin 1 Receptor ◽

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽

Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽

Main Gene ◽

Fat Level

Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) is considered to be the main gene controlling the production of eumelanin or phaeomelanin, resulting in black or red coat colour of cattle. The recessive red allele, e, codes for a nonfunctional receptor, which does not bind the agonist alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), allowing for the production of phaeomelanin, or red pigment, whereas the dominant ED allele binds α-MSH leading to the production of eumelanin. We hypothesized that black cattle would have more α-MSH bound to MC1R, which could result in more α-MSH binding to the appetite suppressing receptor, Melanocortin 4 Receptor. We genotyped 328 crossbred steers of various colours that were purchased at weaning and fed until slaughter. Black cattle of ED/ED or ED/e genotype had increased back fat and required significantly fewer days (15-25) on feed to reach a target fat level for slaughter than the red cattle. Red cattle of e/e genotype were found to have a significantly larger longissimus dorsi (l. dorsi), shipping weight and hot carcass weight. Differences were comparable whether black versus red coat colour or MC1R genotype were used as the criteria for the group of cattle. Key words: Coat colour, MC4R, MC1R, α-MSH, shipping weight

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Performance of intact and castrated nelore steers grazing Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweick (Poaceae) alone and intercropped with forage peanut

Ciência Animal Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1809-6891v21e-51379 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Marcelo Luan Costa Machado ◽

Maykel Franklin Lima Sales

Keyword(s):

Experimental Design ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Private Property ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Brachiaria Humidicola ◽

Arachis Pintoi ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Stocking Rates

Abstract This study aimed to assess the performance of intact and castrated beef cattle on the pasture of Brachiaria humidicola alone and intercropped with Arachis pintoi cv. BRS Mandobi. The experiment was carried out from February to June 2016 on the private property of a partner of Embrapa Acre. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2×2 factorial arrangement, with two sex classes (intact and castrated) and two types of pasture (alone and intercropped). The leaf to stem ratio was high (P<0.05) in the pasture alone. No significant difference was found for stocking rates. Dry matter intake was high (P<0.05) in the intercropped pasture compared to that alone, with means of 8.96 and 6.66 kg/ day, respectively. Animals managed in intercropped pastures had better performance (P<0.05) than those castrated under pasture alone. Nelore steers castrated at 20 months of age, managed under intercropped pastures, showed similar productive performance (P>0.05) to intact animals.

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Analysis of selection signatures in the beef cattle genome

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/226/2019-cjas ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 64 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 491-503 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nina Moravčíková ◽

Radovan Kasarda ◽

Luboš Vostrý ◽

Zuzana Krupová ◽

Emil Krupa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linkage Disequilibrium ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Muscle Development ◽

Genome Structure ◽

Coat Colour ◽

Meat Tenderness ◽

Selection Signatures ◽

Genetic Progress ◽

Genomic Regions ◽

The Impact

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of selection on the genome structure of beef cattle through identification of selection signatures reflecting the breeding standard of each breed and to discover potential functional genetic variants to improve performance traits. Genotyping data of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, Piedmontese and Romagnola) were used to perform genome-wide scans for selection signatures. The approaches applied were based on an assumption that selection leads to linkage disequilibrium or to a decrease of genetic variability in genomic regions containing genotypes connected with favourable phenotypes. Thus, the selection signatures were analysed based on Wright’s F<sub>ST</sub> index, distribution of runs of homozygosity segments in the beef genome and determination of linkage disequilibrium variability between breeds. The number and length of detected selection signals were different depending on the breeds and methodological approaches. As expected due to the breeding goals of analysed breeds, common signals were located on autosomes 2, 6, 7, 13 and 20 close to the genes associated with coat colour (KIT, KDR), muscle development (GDF9, GHRH, GHR), double muscling (MSTN), meat tenderness (CAST) and intramuscular fat content (SCD). But, across the genomes of analysed breeds, unique selection signals were found as well. The subsequent analysis of those single nucleotide polymorphism markers can be beneficial for the genetic progress of studied breeds in future.

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Grati-Ongole-crossbred cattle (POGASI Agrinak) development on farm kept in diverse agroecological zones

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/888/1/012014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 888 (1) ◽

pp. 012014

Author(s):

Hartati ◽

R Antari ◽

L Affandhy ◽

Y N Anggraeny ◽

R Widiyawati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Management Systems ◽

Research Station ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Crossbred Cattle ◽

Male And Female ◽

Agroecological Zones ◽

On Farm

Abstract The Indonesian Beef Cattle Research Station (BCRS) has undertaken conservation and improvement of Grati-Ongole crossbred cattle (POGASI Agrinak) by distributing selected cattle into some provinces in Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of the calves born in different agroecological zones. Sixty-seven male and female POGASI Agrinak were distributed in Indonesia including in upland (e.g., in 50 Kota, Payakumbuh, one bull, and nine cows and Pule, Trenggalek, one bull, and eight cows) and in low land (e.g., in Jember, one bull and six cows, Indramayu, one bull and six cows, Situbondo, 25 bulls and Tanahlaut, South Kalimantan, ten bulls). The cattle were kept under diverse environmental and management systems. The natural mating system was applied in communal pens using selected bulls. The parameters observed were the number of calves and the birth weight. It resulted in 168 calves born in the upland and five calves born in low land. While the birth weight of calves born in lowland and upland was 25.8 + 1.6 kg and 25.2 + 2.4 kg respectively. Meanwhile, the birth weight of calves in BCRS was 25.3 + 25 kg. To conclude, the birth weight both in BCRS and in those sites’ ex-situ was comparable.

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Effects of protein sources on performance, carcass composition, blood parameters and meat quality in Charolais heifers

South African Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4314/sajas.v48i4.10 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 683-694

Author(s):

M. Ragni ◽

M.A. Colonna ◽

A. Lestingi ◽

S. Tarricone ◽

F. Giannico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Faba Bean ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Protein Sources ◽

Lupin Seed ◽

Alternative Protein

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of feeding faba bean and sweet lupin as alternative protein sources to soybean on productive performance, blood parameters, carcass composition, and chemical-physical characteristics of meat and its fatty acid (FA) profile in Charolais heifers. Twenty-four heifers were divided into three homogenous groups and fed with durum wheat straw and three iso-energetic and isonitrogenous pelleted complete diets containing 14% (on as-fed basis) soybean meal; 28% faba bean; and 20% sweet lupin seed. The animals were slaughtered after a 168 day feeding period, and the Longissimus lumborum muscle was sampled for meat quality measurements. The feed conversion index was better in the heifers fed faba bean compared with the soybean treatment group (6.71 versus 7.17). No differences were found among treatment groups in productive performance, slaughtering data and physical features. The concentration of linoleic acid in the meat of the soybean group differed significantly from that in the lupin group (2.38 versus 2.11%). Feeding lupin seed increased the concentrations of C20:3 n-6 (0.09%) and C20:4 n-6 (0.20%) in meat significantly, compared with the soya- and faba bean treatments (0.06–0.07% and 0.12–0.13%, respectively). No differences were found among groups for blood parameters, except for urea concentration, which was lower in the lupin group compared with the concentrations in the serum of heifers receiving the soya bean treatment (31.29 as opposed to 37.56 mg/dL). In conclusion, since faba bean and lupin seed did not affect any of the parameters negatively, these legume grains can be included successfully as alternative protein sources in beef cattle diet.Keywords: Faba bean, lupin seed, soybean, beef cattle, feeding

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Effects of supplements containing different additives on nutritional and productive performance of beef cattle grazing tropical grass

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-017-1286-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (5) ◽

pp. 983-988 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

V.V. Carvalho ◽

M.F. Paulino ◽

E. Detmann ◽

M.L. Chizzotti ◽

L.S. Martins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Cattle Grazing ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Tropical Grass

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PSXIII-3 Effects of mineral source and additive in mineral supplementation on productive performance of growing beef cattle on tropical pastures

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.817 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 460-461

Author(s):

Victor Valério de Carvalho ◽

Alexandre Perdigão ◽

Guilherme S F M Vasconcellos ◽

Tiago S Acedo

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Block Design ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Tropical Pastures ◽

Mineral Supplement ◽

Mineral Supplementation ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Supplement Intake

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mineral supplementation using the association of carboaminophosphochelates as mineral source plus Salinomycin on grazing beef cattle performance during growing phase. A total of 80 Nellore bulls (IBW = 292.72 ± 13.55 kg; Age, ~13 mo) were distributed in 8 paddocks (~2.7 hectares each) planted with Palisade Grass cv. Xaraés during the rainy to rainy-to-dry transition seasons (February to May). The experiment was a randomized complete block design (10 animals/paddock, 4 paddocks per treatment). The mineral supplementation was provided ad libitum and treatments were: Control; Mineral supplementation containing inorganic minerals, and TM+Salinomycin = Mineral supplementation containing carboaminophosphochelates (TM, Tortuga® Minerals) as minerals source (Cr, Se, Zn, Mn, S, Cu e Co) plus Salinomycin (~108 mg per animal/day). The supplement orts were removed and weighted daily to calculate supplement intake. The animals were weighed after a 14 h-fasting at the beginnig and end of the trial (84 days) to calculate weight gain. The paddock was considered the experimental unit and data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS, whereby means were separated using the PDIFF statement (P < 0.05). Supplement intake was similar between treatments (P = 0.13). Animals supplemented with TM+Salinomycin tended to have greater final BW (358 vs. 347, P = 0.07) and increased ADG in 22,3% (0.730 vs. 0.597 kg/d, P = 0.03) compared with animals fed Control. In conclusion, the combination of carboaminophosphochelates minerals plus salynomicin improves grazing beef cattle weight gain, with no deleterious effect on mineral supplement intake.

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