Morphometric measurements of calves of beef cattle from different genetic groups up to one year of age

In the present study, the effects of genetic group and heterosis on body measurements of purebreds (Charolais - C and Nellore - N), first-generation crossbreds (G1) (1/2C1/2N and 1/2N1/2C), and second-generation crossbreds (G2) (3/4C1/4N and 3/4N1/4C) males from rotational crossbreeding were evaluated at 8, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Among the purebreds, the Nellore displayed greater rump height than the Charolais. The Charolais had greater thoracic perimeter than the Nellore, however this difference decreased gradually with advancing age, being equal between the two genetic groups at 24 months. For width of the rump, ischial opening and thoracic perimeter crossbred animals showed higher values than the purebred animals at all ages, but less pronounced at eight months of age. For all morphometric measurements, with exception of rump height, the differences of crossbreds males in relation to the purebreds, were more evident in relation to the Nellore. Heterosis was significant for morphometric measurements in male beef cattle. Morphometric measurements showed high correlation with each other and with body weight, thereby indicating that they are good indicators of body development.

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The impact of maternal genetic merit and country of origin on ewe reproductive performance, lambing performance and ewe survival

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab070 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

N Fetherstone ◽

N McHugh ◽

T M Boland ◽

F M McGovern

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Country Of Origin ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the ewe’s maternal genetic merit and country of origin (New Zealand or Ireland) on ewe reproductive, lambing and productivity traits. The study was performed over a four year period (2016 to 2019) and consisted of three genetic groups: high maternal genetic merit New Zealand (NZ), high maternal genetic merit Irish (High Irish) and low maternal genetic merit Irish (Low Irish) ewes. Each group contained 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewes, selected based on the respective national maternal genetic indexes; i.e. either the New Zealand Maternal Worth (New Zealand group) or the €uro-star Replacement index (Irish groups). The impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as litter size; lambing traits such as gestation length, birth weight, lambing difficulty, mothering ability, and productivity traits such as the number of lambs born and weaned were analyzed using linear mixed models. For binary traits, the impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as conception to first AI service; lambing traits such as dystocia, perinatal lamb mortality and productivity traits such as ewe survival were analyzed using logistic regression. New Zealand ewes outperformed Low Irish ewes for conception to first AI (P<0.05) and litter size (P=0.05). Irish ewes were more likely to suffer from dystocia (6.84 (High Irish) and 8.25 (Low Irish) times) compared to NZ ewes (P<0.001); birth weight and perinatal mortality did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Lambs born from NZ ewes were 4.67 (95% CI: 1.89 to 11.55; P<0.001) and 6.54 (95% CI: 2.56 to 16.71; P<0.001) times more likely to stand up and suckle unassisted relative to lambs born from High or Low Irish ewes, respectively. New Zealand and High Irish ewes had a greater number of lambs born and weaned throughout the duration of the study compared to their Low Irish counterparts (P<0.001). New Zealand ewes tended to be more likely to survive from one year to the next compared to Low Irish ewes (P=0.07). Irish ewes of high maternal genetic merit outperformed their Low counterparts in total number of lambs born and weaned per ewe, but performance did not differ across other traits investigated. This highlights the importance of continuous development of the Irish maternal sheep index to ensure favourable improvements in reproductive, lambing and productivity traits at farm level. Overall, results demonstrate the suitability of NZ genetics in an Irish production system.

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Pearl millet grain for beef cattle in crop-livestock integration system: intake and digestibility

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n3p1461 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 1471 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marcell Patachi Alonso ◽

Eduardo Henrique Bevitori Kling de Moraes ◽

Dalton Henrique Pereira ◽

Douglas Dos Santos Pina ◽

Mircéia Angele Mombach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Integration System ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Protein Energy ◽

Dietary Concentration ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Energy Supplements ◽

Different Levels

The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional parameters (intake and digestibility) of beef cattle in two genetic groups fed protein-energy supplements formulated by different levels of replacement of maize with pearl millet grain during the dry season. Sixty-four uncastrated young bulls, with an average age of 20 months and an initial body weight of 388 ± 26 kg, were included in the study. The experimental area consisted of four paddocks approximately 4.7 ha in size, composed of Brachiaria brizantha ‘Marandu’ within a crop-livestock integration system. The study was based on a completely randomized factorial design (2×4). Two genetic groups (Crossbred and Nellore) and the effects of replacement of maize with pearl millet grain at 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% in the supplement formulations were assessed. No significant effects were observed in the genetic groups and with the replacement of maize with pearl millet grain, as well as in the pasture total dry matter (DM) and nutrients intake, or the coefficients of total digestibility of nutrients. The dietary concentration of digested organic matter was not influenced by the replacement levels of pearl millet grain, with values of 514.88, 515.76, 516.01, and 515.98 g kg-1 of DM recorded for the 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% replacement levels, respectively. Therefore, pearl millet grain can be utilized as a partial or total substitute for maize grain as the energetic ingredient in concentrated supplements for Nellore and crossbred beef cattle in pastures managed in crop-livestock integration systems.

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