ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC EFFECTS ON PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF CALVES FROM FIRST-CROSS COWS. II. GROWTH TRAITS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

Environmental and genetic effects on preweaning growth traits were evaluated for 4034 calves born and 3732 calves weaned in second and later parities from contemporary populations of first-cross dams maintained at two locations, Brandon and Manyberries. The calves were sired by Chianina (Chi), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and Simmental (S) bulls mated to 10 F1 dam crosses representing the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine dam-cross combinations produced by matings of C, S and L sires with H, A and Shorthorn (N) females. Sex differences were important (P < 0.0001) with males averaging 7% heavier at birth and 5% higher in measures of postweaning growth than females. Location differences were negligible for birth weight (1.2%), but preweaning growth rate was 10–13% greater at Brandon (P < 0.0001) than at Manyberries. Year differences were large for all traits measured (P < 0.0001) and, with the exception of birth weight, were related to differences in annual weaning date. Progeny rankings by terminal sire breed were Chi > C (2.5%), Chi > S (4.2%), and Chi > L (11.4%) for birth weight (all P < 0.0001) and Chi = C = S > L by 6% (P < 0.0001) for all measures of preweaning growth. Ranking of the dam crosses by their breed of sire (DS) were C > S > L for birth weight (P < 0.0001) and S > C > L for preweaning growth (P < 0.0002). The paired DS comparisons indicated S > L by 9.1% and C > L by 2.7% for growth rate. Ranking of the dam crosses by their breed of dam (DD) were H = N > A (P < 0.0001) for birth weight and [Formula: see text] for preweaning growth traits. A location × dam cross interaction was evident for the Charolais × Shorthorn dam cross (P < 0.01). Progeny from all dam crosses except the LH and LA at Manyberries grew more rapidly than their contemporary controls (HA progeny) with the Simmental crosses averaging 11–14% higher than the HA. Genetic interactions involving breed of sire and breed of dam were absent. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, preweaning growth

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

Genetic effects on postweaning growth traits were evaluated for 3592 crossbred steers and heifers fed at two locations, Brandon, Manitoba and Lacombe, Alberta during a 6-yr period (1973–1978). The calves were sired by Chianina (Chi), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and Simmental (S) bulls mated to 10 F1 dam-crosses representing the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine dam-cross combinations produced by mating C, S and L sires with H, A and Shorthorn (N) females. Progeny rankings by terminal sire breed for weight on-test were C = Chi = S > L. For the trait 140-d postweaning average daily gain, progeny rankings were C > Chi = S, C = Chi > L and Chi > S > L. The progeny from the majority of "exotic" cross-dams were heavier on-test, and had higher postweaning average daily gain than progeny from HA dams. Ranking of dam-crosses according to their breed of sire (DS) for the trait weight on-test were S > C > L. The DS comparisons for postweaning average daily gain were C > S > L. The ranking of dam-crosses by breed of dam's dam, for on-test weight and postweaning average daily gain were N > H = A. Genetic interactions (terminal sire by breed cross of dam) were absent. Genotype environment interactions involving breed of terminal sire with year, sex and location were found for weight on-test and postweaning average daily gain. All resulted from changes in the magnitude of breed of sire differences, not from changes in sire rankings. Key words: Cattle, breeds, cross breeding, growth


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Liu ◽  
M. Makarechian ◽  
R. T. Berg

Genetic and phenotypic parameters of growth traits from birth to 1 year of age were compared in a multibreed Beef Synthetic (SY) and a purebred Hereford (HE) population managed together under the same environmental conditions and selected for growth rate from 1961 to 1979. Growth traits studied were birth weight, preweaning and postweaning gains. Records of 2077 calves of 70 HE and 100 SY paternal half-sib families were used for analysis. Except for birth weight, phenotypic variances of growth traits were similar for the synthetic (SY) and purebred (HE) populations, but genetic variances were larger in SY than in HE for all growth traits except postweaning gain in males. The coefficients of variation were comparable for all the traits studied in the two populations, indicating that phenotypic variations in the multibreed population and the purebred population were similar. Key words: Variance components, heritability, beef cattle


1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15
Author(s):  
A. K. W. TONG

A subset of birth weight records consisting of 191 535 calves, from 7021 herd-years with fewer than 50% estimated weights, tested during 1971 through 1980 was selected from the data files of the Federal-Provincial Record of Performance program for beef cattle to estimate breed averages and age of dam adjustment factors. The main effects included herd-years, breed of sire, breed of dam, sex of calf and age of dam. The interaction effects for breed of sire by sex of calf on birth weight were significant (P < 0.01) and the estimated differences for 22 breeds of sire expressed as deviations from the Hereford breed ranged from − 4.05 to 6.27 kg for male calves and from − 3.70 to 6.20 kg for female calves. The effects of breed of dam, sex of calf, age of dam and all the two-way interactions were significant at P < 0.01, while the three-way interaction was significant at P < 0.05. Additive age of dam adjustment factors within sex of calf were derived for 12 breeds of dam. The general age of dam effects averaged over breed of sire and breed of dam, expressed as deviations from the mature dams, were − 2.69, − 1.27, − 0.41, 0 kg for male calves, and − 2.64, − 1.26, − 0.50, 0 kg for female calves from 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5 + yr-old dams. Key words: Birth weight, breed averages, age of dam adjustment factors


1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

Carcass characteristics of 3673 steers and heifers born over a 6-yr period (1973–1978) at Brandon, Manitoba (farm conditions) and Manyberries, Alberta (range conditions) were compared. Calves weaned at Manyberries were fed and evaluated at Lacombe. The progeny produced were out of 10 specific F1 crosses of dams mated to bulls of the Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) and Chianina (Chi) breeds. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S and L sires out of H, A and Shorthorn (N) dams. Terminal sire breed differences in the paired comparisons involving progeny of the Chi (the comparisons with maximum degrees of freedom) indicated that their carcass weight per day of age averaged 1.1% greater than C, 3.6% greater than S and 6.4% greater than L at both locations [Formula: see text]. Simmental progeny had significantly heavier (P = 0.0001) hide weights as a percentage of liveweight and significantly lower (P = 0.0001) dressing percentages than the progeny from C, L and Chi sires. Limousin and Chi-sired progeny had the lowest percentage of hide weight and the highest dressing percentage. Limousin progeny averaged 5.2% greater rib eye area/wt (cm2/kg) than Chi progeny P = 0.0001). Chianina progeny had the lowest proportions (percent of hot carcass weight) of long loin, rib, brisket and flank and the highest proportions of round and the combined trait of rib, round and long loin (P < 0.05). Chianina progeny had the highest percentage of lean in the rib, chuck and long loin while L-sired progeny had the highest percentage lean in the round. Chianina progeny had the highest and L progeny the lowest percentage bone in the rib, chuck, round and long loin. Limousin progeny had the highest lean:bone ratios but least percent lean per day of age at the long loin and round. At both locations significant terminal sire breed by year interactions were observed for all traits. The interactions of breed of dam by year, by sex, and by breed of sire and the interaction of year by sex were nonsignificant. Key words: Cattle, breeds, carcass, cuts, composition


1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. R. Hopkins

SUMMARYUsing pre-weaning records of 3822 calves from 11 Victorian herds, mean male and female growth rates and corresponding sex differences were calculated for each dam age and herd-year class. From these means simple regression equations relating sex differences and growth rates were calculated. There was a close similarity between equations based on dam age means and those based on herd-year means while correlations between sex differences and male growth rates were high.These results showed that sex differences and female growth rates could be predicted reliably from the level of environment as measured by male growth rate. Sex differences predicted by these regression relationships differed markedly from those predicted by the simple multiplicative and simple additive models generally used in adjusting for sex differences in selection.The results also suggested that other differences such as breed differences may be predictable in the same way and that such differences are determined primarily by the level of environment per se rather than differences in the nature of the components contributing to that level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-156
Author(s):  
O. O Mgbere ◽  
O. Olutogun

Genetic parameters for Absolute Growth Rate (AGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Absolute Maturing Rate (AMR) at various age interval from birth to maturity in N 'Dama beef cattle raised in the humid Tropics of Nigeria were estimated. Performance data used were accumulated between 1948 and 1964 at Fasola cattle ranch in Oyo, Nigeria and the number of records analysed ranged from 44 to 678. prewering (B - W) growth and maturing rates in N’Dama calves were 0.377 ± 0.009 kg/day (AGR), 0.643 ± 0.006 %/day (RGR) and 0.120 ± 0.003% A/day (AMR) and fluctuated subsequently, following the animals' state of development and certain physiological stress conditions.  At post weaning (W-12), these rates decreased to 0.249 ± 0.049 kg/day, 0.204 ± 0.029 %/day and 0.075 ± 0.014 % A/day for AGR, RGR and AMR respectively. Estimates of heritability at the various age intervals were considered low in these growth traits with values obtained ranging from 0.03 to 0.24 for AGR, 0.03 to 0.21 for RGR and 0.02 to 0.42 for AMR, with high standard errors. The low estimates though, consistent with literature reports were attributed to the poor standard of animal management and production environment at Fasola. It was evident from this study that selection of N'Dama calves based on post weaning (W-12) growth or maturing rates would yield substantial genetic progress. However, improved animal management and production environment on the ranch would not only improve precision of the genetic parameter estimates but would also enhance N 'Dama growth performance generally.


2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 14-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Krupa ◽  
M. Oravcová ◽  
P. Polák ◽  
J. Huba ◽  
Z. Krupová

Growth traits of purebred calves of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus &ndash; AA, Blonde d&rsquo;Aquitaine &ndash; BA, Charolais &ndash; CH,Hereford &ndash; HE, Limousine &ndash; LI and Beef Simmental &ndash; BS) born from 1998 to 2002 were analysed. Traits under study were birth weight (BW), weight at 120 days (W120), weight at 210 days &ndash; weaning weight (WW), weight at 365 days &ndash; yearling weight (YW) and average daily gains from birth to 120 days (ADG1), from birth to 210 days (ADG2), from birth to 365 days (ADG3), from 120 to 210 days (ADG4). General linear model with class effects of breed, dam&rsquo;s age at calving, sex, herd-year-season (HYS) and covariation of age at weighing was used for analyses. All effects significantly affected both weight and gain traits except for dam&rsquo;s age that was significant for BW, W120, YW and ADG3, and age at weighing that was significant for W120, WW, YW, ADG2, ADG3, ADG4. Estimated least squares means of growth traits were compared using Scheffe&rsquo;s multiple-range tests. Highest BW (40.57&nbsp;kg) and W120 (172.43 kg) were found for BA calves. BS calves had highest WW (260.30 kg), YW (424.07 kg), ADG1 (1&nbsp;154&nbsp;g), ADG2 (1 053 g), ADG3 (1 054 g) and ADG4 (1 098 g). Highest BW, YW, ADG3 and ADG4 were found for males-singles. Males-twins had highest W120, WW, ADG1 and ADG2. Calves descending from 5&ndash;7 years old dams had highest BW, W120, WW, ADG1, ADG2 and ADG4. The proportion of variability of growth traits explained by HYS effect (42.96&ndash;71.69%) was high, whereas proportions of variability explained by SEX effect (2.03&ndash;5.77%), age of dam (1.02&ndash;2.24%) and breed (1.05&ndash;2.21%) were low. Residuals accounted for 23.71 up to 53.79% of total variance. &nbsp;


1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 963-965
Author(s):  
J. C. OLTHOFF ◽  
G. H. CROW ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD

Lines within a breed which differ in their level of performance may require different age-of-dam adjustment factors in the same way that different breeds do. Age-of-dam adjustments calculated from a control and a yearling weight selection line indicated lower values in the selected line for calf birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight for 2- and 4-yr-old dams. Trends for adjustment factors in each line over time were generally not significant but tended to diverge. Age-of-dam adjustment factors within a breed may need to be reevaluated at intervals as levels of performance change. Key words: Beef cattle, age of dam adjustment, selection, yearling weight


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 302-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Vostrý ◽  
Z. Veselá ◽  
A. Svitáková ◽  
H. Vostrá Vydrová

The most appropriate model for genetic parameters estimation for calving ease and birth weight in beef cattle was selected. A total of 27 402 field records were available from the Czech Charolais breed. For estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and body weight, three bivariate models were tested: a linear-linear animal model (L-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 &ndash; easy; 2&ndash;4 &ndash; most difficult), a linear-linear animal model (SC-LM) in which calving ease scores were transformed into Snell scores (Snell 1964) and expressed as percentage of assisted calving (ranging 0&ndash;100%), and a bivariate threshold-linear animal model (T-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 &ndash; easy, 2&ndash;4 &ndash; most difficult). All tested models included fixed effects for contemporary group (herd &times; year &times; season), age of dam, sex and breed of a calf. Random effects included direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental effect, and residual error. Direct heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.096 &plusmn; 0.013 to 0.226 &plusmn; 0.024 and from 0.210 &plusmn; 0.024 to 0.225 &plusmn; 0.026, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.060 &plusmn; 0.031 to 0.104 &plusmn; 0.125 and from 0.074 &plusmn; 0.041 to 0.075 &plusmn; 0.040, respectively. Genetic correlations of direct calving ease with direct birth weight ranged from 0.46 &plusmn; 0.06 to 0.50 &plusmn; 0.06 for all tested models; whereas maternal genetic correlations between these two traits ranged from 0.24 &plusmn; 0.17 to 0.25 &plusmn; 0.53. Correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects within-trait were negative and substantial for all tested models (ranging from &ndash;0.574 &plusmn; 0.125 to &ndash;0.680 &plusmn; 0.141 for calving ease and from &ndash;0.553 &plusmn; 0.122 to &ndash;0.558 &plusmn; 0.118 for birth weight, respectively), illustrating the importance of including this parameter in calving ease evaluations. Results indicate that any of the tested models could be used to reliably estimate genetic parameters for calving ease for beef cattle in the Czech Republic. However, because of advantages in computation time and practical considerations, genetic analysis using SC-LM (transformed data) is recommended.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Tosh ◽  
J. W. Wilton

A terminal-sire index for selecting rams was developed. It combines genetic evaluations for growth traits and carcass characteristics measured ultrasonically on live animals into a single criterion. Weightings for component traits are averages from the indexes of four slightly different breeding goals, determined using economic values and parameters from the literature. The weightings for breeding values of component traits are -1.45 for birth weight, +1.86 for weight at 50 d of age, +2.27 for gain from 50 to 100 d, -0.51 for ultrasonic fat depth, and +1.36 for ultrasonic loin muscle depth, in phenotypic standard deviation units. Selection that is based on the index will increase growth while simultaneously decreasing fat and increasing muscle. Key words: Breeding strategies, carcass characteristics, growth, selection, sheep


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