GROWTH AND MATERNAL PERFORMANCE OF TWO-YEAR-OLD F1 AND RECIPROCAL BACKCROSS HEIFERS IN TWO ENVIRONMENTS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
R. M. McKAY ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Maternal Performance ◽  
Breed Crosses ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Reciprocal Backcross

Growth patterns and calf performance of 2-yr-old F1 and reciprocal backcross females were compared in two contrasting environments, semi-intensive management (Brandon, Man.) and extensive range management (Manyberries, Alta.). At Brandon, 621 heifers of Hereford × Angus (HA), Simmental × Shorthorn (SN), Charolais × Shorthorn (CN) and reciprocal backcrosses from Charolais × Hereford (CH), Charolais × Angus (CA), Charolais × Shorthorn (CN), Simmental × Hereford (SH), Simmental × Angus (SA), and Simmental × Shorthorn (SN) were evaluated. At Manyberries, 271 heifers of HA, SN, CN and reciprocals of SH, SA and SN were evaluated. They were bred to Limousin bulls. The HA heifers were the lightest at 14, 18, 24, 26 and 30 mo of age at both locations. Location differences for dam crosses in common ranged from 5% at 14 mo to 19% for 30 mo weight (Brandon > Manyberries). At all ages, the 3/4 C 1/4 N and the 3/4 S 1/4 N dam crosses were the heaviest at Brandon and Manyberries, respectively. Differences in weights at all ages between the CN and their reciprocal backcrosses were not significant at Brandon. The SN dams exceeded their reciprocal backcrosses in weight at all ages at Brandon (P < 0.01) but none of the differences were significant at Manyberries. Very few of the differences recorded for gestation length and birth weight at either location were significant. Progeny from HA dams were the lightest at birth and when significant differences existed for gestation length the longest were associated with the 3/4 "exotics." At both locations, progeny from HA dams were lightest and the progeny from the 3/4 "exotics" the heaviest at weaning. Females at Manyberries produced calves that were 3.3% heavier at weaning than those at Brandon. The highest weaning weight ratios were recorded for the 3/4 S 1/4 A, 3/4 S 1/4 N and SN dam crosses at both locations and these dam crosses were intermediate in weight at 30 mo. Total overall conception for breed crosses common to both locations for breeding at 14 and 26 mo was 77.0% vs. 75.8% and 82.1% vs. 79.5% for Brandon and Manyberries, respectively. Few differences were observed between dam crosses for conception rate. At Brandon, CX females required significantly more services per conception at 14 mo of age than SX females which reflected itself in lower conception rates. Compared with the SX females, the CX females had 11.8% lower conception to 1st service and 4% lower total conception. Calves born at Manyberries experienced greater calving difficulty but this was not reflected in higher calf mortality rates. Key words: Beef cattle, growth, preweaning traits, crossbreeding

Growth patterns of first-cross and reciprocal backcross beef cows in two environments

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-821
Author(s):  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
T. Entz ◽  
G. W. Rahnefeld ◽  
R. M. McKay ◽  
H. T. Fredeen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Reciprocal Backcross

Growth patterns of first-cross (F1) and reciprocal backcross cows, 3–5 yr old, were evaluated under two contrasting environments: extensive range conditions at Manyberries, Alberta, and semi-intensive management at Brandon, Manitoba. Cows resulting from crossing Hereford (H) × Angus (A), Simmental (S) × Shorthorn (N), Charolais (C) × Shorthorn and reciprocal backcrosses from Charolais × Hereford (CH), Charolais × Angus (CA), Charolais × Shorthorn (CN), Simmental × Hereford (SH), Simmental × Angus (SA), and Simmental × Shorthorn (SN) were evaluated at Brandon. At Manyberries, HA, SN and reciprocal backcrosses of SH, SA and SN were evaluated. All cows were bred to Limousin (L) bulls. Cow weights and backfat estimates were recorded at breeding, calving and weaning. The HA cows were the lightest group for all weigh periods at both locations. At all weigh periods, the SSN (3/4 S 1/4 N) dam crosses at Manyberries and the CCN (3/4 C 1/4 N) and CCH (3/4 C 1/4 H) at Brandon were the heaviest. At Brandon, females gained weight during gestation and usually lost weight during summer nursing. Cows at Manyberries usually gained weight during nursing, with significant gestation weight loss. Nursing status of the cow had a significant effect on weight change, with barren status providing an opportunity for large compensatory gains. The CN dams were significantly heavier at all weigh periods than their 1/4 C back-crosses. At Brandon, the SN dam cross weights exceeded those of their reciprocal backcrosses at breeding, calving and weaning and at calving for the 1/4 S dams. At Manyberries, SN weights exceeded those of the 3/4 S crosses at weaning. Over the duration of study, average backfat estimates for cows at Brandon exceeded those at Manyberries (10.8 and 8.6 mm, respectively). Specific dam crosses performed differently at the two locations, and commercial cattlemen need to closely evaluate the F1 and backcross comparisons to determine the optimal level of performance under their particular management and environmental conditions. Key words: Beef cattle, growth, nursing status, crossbreeding, environment

CALVING EASE AND CALF MORTALITY IN FIRST-CROSS AND BACKCROSS COWS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54
Author(s):  
R. M. McKAY ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Range Management ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Calf Mortality

Calving ease and calf mortality were evaluated for calves out of first-cross and backcross cows maintained under two contrasting environments. All calves were sired by Limousin bulls. The dam crosses at Brandon were HA, SN, CN, ACA, CCA, ASA, SSA, HCH, CCH, HSH, SSH, NCN, CCN, SSN, and NSN with H = Hereford, A = Angus, N = Shorthorn, C = Charolais, S = Simmental and a SSA cross was 3/4 Simmental-1/4 Angus. At Manyberries the dam crosses were HA, SN, ASA, SSA, HSH, SSH, NSN, and SSN. The calves were born between 1982 and 1986, inclusive, at Brandon, Manitoba (semi-intensive management) and Manyberries, Alberta (extensive range management). At Brandon, when calf birth weight was not a covariate, the significant dam cross contrasts for calving ease included less difficulty for SN cows than either the SSN or NSN cows, and for 3/4 A-1/4 European continental (E) cows than 1/4A–3/4E cows. When adjusted to a common calf birth weight the significant contrasts were HA cows had more difficulty than SN cows and the combination of SN and CN cows, SN cows had less difficulty than NSN cows, and 3/4A–1/4E cows had less difficulty than 1/4A–3/4E cows. At Manyberries, regardless of whether calf birth weight was excluded or included as a covariate, the SN cows had less difficulty than the SSN and the SSN cows had less difficulty than NSN cows. No significant dam cross comparisons were observed for calf mortality scores. Adjusting the calving ease scores to a constant calf birth weight did not significantly alter the magnitude of the contrasts but it did shift their probability levels. Location and sex of calf effects were not significant except for calving ease at Brandon where more difficulty was associated with male calves than female calves. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, backcrosses, calving, mortality

A comparison of breeds and their crosses for beef production. I. Birth and weaning traits

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
JHL Morgan ◽  
GR Saul
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Friesian Cows

Hereford and Friesian cows aged 12-15 months in 1970, were inseminated with semen from Hereford, Friesian, Charolais and Brahman bulls each year from 1970 to 1973 to produce a total of 736 calves. All cows and calves were grazed together, and the total of 650 surviving calves weaned at c. 8 months of age. Cow age and year of calving were confounded. Hereford cows had longer gestations, smaller calves, more calving difficulty and greater calf mortality than Friesian cows. Hereford cows provided their calves with less than half as much milk as did Friesian cows; the weaning weight advantage of calves from Friesian cows varied from 48 % in 2-year-old cows to 22-24 % in 3-, 4- and 5-year-old cows. Relative to Hereford sires, the use of Charolais and Brahman sires on Hereford and Friesian cows resulted in increases in gestation length, birth weight, calf mortality and calving difficulty; the use of Friesian sires tended to increase calving difficulty, but did not increase gestation length, birth weight or calf mortality. In Hereford cows, the use of Charolais and Friesian sires, as compared with Hereford sires, increased weaning weight by 8 % on average over the 4 years (the increase was zero in 2- and 3-year-old cows and 11-18 % in 4- and 5-year-old cows); the use of Brahman sires did not increase weaning weight. In Friesian cows, the use of Charolais sires, as compared with Hereford sires, increased weaning weight by 5-10% in all years; the use of Friesian sires did not influence weaning weight whilst the use of Brahman sires reduced it by 5%. Heterosis from crossing the Hereford and Friesian breeds increased the weaning weight of the first-cross calves by 3.4%.

PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF CALVES FROM FIRST-CROSS AND RECIPROCAL BACKCROSS COWS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. McKAY ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Range Management ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Back Cross ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Reciprocal Backcross

Preweaning performance was evaluated for calves out of first-cross and reciprocal back-cross cows maintained under two contrasting environments. All cows were bred to Limousin bulls and the calves were born between 1982 and 1986, inclusive, at Brandon, Manitoba (semi-intensive management) and Manyberries, Alberta (extensive range management). Dam cross comparisons revealed that calves out of Hereford × Angus dams were inferior to calves out of European continental × British dams for all preweaning traits at both locations. Comparisons between calves out of F1 dams and calves out of backcross (1/4 or 3/4 European continental) dams generally favored the calves out of F1 females. Specific and nonspecific comparisons between the reciprocal backcrosses demonstrated that calves out of dams with 3/4 European continental breeding were heavier and grew faster than calves out of dams with 1/4 European continental breeding. Male calves exceeded female calves for all preweaning traits and calves born at Manyberries were heavier and grew faster than calves born at Brandon. Key words: Beef cattle, preweaning growth, crossbreeding, backcrosses

In vitro produced embryos as a means of achieving pregnancy and improving productivity in beef cows

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
P. J. Broadbent ◽  
D. F. Dolman
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cows ◽  
Uterine Horn ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Body Fatness ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
In Vitro Embryo Production ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Calving Difficulty

AbstractThe possibilities of using embryo transfer (ET) with in-vitro produced embryos as an alternative to artificial insemination (Al) for achieving pregnancy in commercial cattle, and improving the number and quality of calves produced were assessed using 157 multiparous, beefX. dairy suckling cows (mainly Hereford × Friesian) in three autumn and three spring-calving herds in Scotland. Within each herd, cows were allocated at random to (i) Al; or ET with in-vitro produced embryos, either (ii) singly (ET(s)), or (Hi) in pairs (ET(t)) to establish pregnancy. In-vitro produced embryos were derived from oocytes recovered from the ovaries of heifers with high-quality carcasses post slaughter. Semen from a single Simmental sire was used for in-vitro embryo -production and for Al across all herds. Following oestrous synchronization, Al cows were inseminated at 48 and 72 h after removal of the synchrony device. ET cows that had a palpatable corpus luteum received either one or two in-vitro produced embryos placed non-surgically in the ipsilateral uterine horn on day 7 after oestrous (oestrus = day 0). Pregnancy rate, calving rate and calving difficulty were monitored for all cows. Calf performance was monitored on the farms of origin from birth to purchase and thereafter at one finishing unit until slaughter. Animals were slaughtered at a prescribed level of body fatness and saleable meat yields determined.Cows that received one in-vitro produced embryo gave birth to fewer calves than cows that were artificially inseminated or received two embryos (P < 0·01). Gestation length was longer for cows that gave birth to single ET calves (288 days; P < 0·01) than cows that gave birth to Al calves (285 days) or twin ET calves (284 days). Single ET calves were heaviest at birth (P < 0·01) and higher levels of assistance at calving were required for ET calves whether born as singles or twins. ET calves of both birth types grew more quickly (<1·00 kg/day; P<0·05) and produced larger carcasses (297 kg; P < 0·01) with higher yields of saleable meat (2207 kg; P < 0·01) than Al calves (0·92 kg/day; 281·7 kg; 206·3 kg respectively).

Post-weaning gain of calves from first-cross and reciprocal back-cross cows

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Newman ◽  
A. K.W. Tong ◽  
G. W. Rahnefeld ◽  
J. E. Lawson ◽  
H. T. Fredeen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Energy ◽  
Range Management ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Final Test ◽  
Feeding Regime ◽  
Back Cross ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Final Weight ◽  
Breed Crosses ◽  
Better Than

Data on post-weaning gains and final test weights are reported for 2010 Limousin-sired steer and heifer calves from cows of 15 different F1 cross and back-cross breed types incorporating Charolais, Simmental, Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn breeding. Calves representing all 15 dam breed types were born and weaned under semi-intensive management at Brandon, Manitoba, then finished there on a self-fed all-concentrate diet. A subset representing eight dam breed crosses was born and weaned under extensive range management at Manyberries, Alberta, then fed at Lacombe, Alberta, on a lower energy diet of silage and concentrate mixed and fed to appetite in bunks. A comparison of common breed types revealed that the Brandon calves were lighter at weaning but gained more rapidly in the post-weaning test than the Manyberries/Lacombe calves. Under the Lacombe feeding regime, there were no significant differences in rate of gain on the feedlot test, but progeny of breed types containing some Simmental breeding generally reached a higher final weight than progeny of Hereford × Angus cows because of differences in weight at the beginning of the test. Under the higher energy feeding regime at Brandon, progeny of breed types containing Charolais or Simmental generally gained faster and attained higher final weights than progeny of Hereford × Angus cows. Progeny of Charolais × British and Simmental × British F1 cross cows generally performed as well as, or better than, the progeny of either backcross. Key words: Beef cattle, post-weaning gain, crossbred dam, back-cross dam, European cross

Selecting terminal beef sires on their estimated breeding values for economic efficiency

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 127-127
Author(s):  
Margaret E King ◽  
P J Broadbent
Keyword(s):  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Calving Difficulty

The selection objective of the SAC Simmental MOET Project, is to improve the economic efficiency of lean, or saleable, meat production in crossbred beef production systems.The factors which contribute to the selection objective are the yield of saleable meat, feed intake and calving difficulty. These goal characteristics are combined into an index by taking into account their respective financial values and costs. Calves generated by multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) are weaned from their recipient dams at 10 weeks old and placed in performance test from 5 to 11 months of age. At the end of the performance test, saleable meat yield is estimated from liveweight at end of test, ultrasonic fat depth measurements and muscling score. Calving difficulty is predicted from the birthweight and gestation length of the animal on test whilst feed intake is measured directly by recording individual food intakes during performance testing. The estimated breeding value for the selection index of an animal is expressed in £'s (pounds sterling) as deviations from a mean of zero for the SAC population of Simmentals. It is calculated using the information for each animal plus that of all its relatives in its own and other performance tests by means of BLUP procedures.The objective of the work described here was to evaluate the effectiveness of the selection index in identifying sires of superior genetic merit for use in crossbred beef production systems.

Genetic parameters for calving difficulty using complex genetic models in five beef breeds in Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 927 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Jeyaruban ◽  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
B. Tier ◽  
H.-U. Graser
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Direct Genetic Effect ◽  
Calving Difficulty

Data on Angus (ANG), Charolais (CHA), Hereford (HER), Limousin (LIM) and Simmental (SIM) cattle were used to estimate genetic parameters for calving difficulty (CD), birthweight (BWT) and gestation length (GL) using threshold-linear models and to examine the effect of inclusion of random effect of sire × herd interaction (SxH) in the models. For models without SxH, estimated heritabilities for direct genetic effect of CD were 0.24 (±0.02), 0.22 (±0.04), 0.31 (±0.02), 0.22 (±0.04) and 0.17 (±0.01) for ANG, CHA, HER, LIM and SIM, respectively, whereas maternal heritabilities ranged from 0.13 to 0.20. Estimated heritabilities for direct genetic effect of BWT were 0.38 (±0.01), 0.37 (±0.03), 0.46 (±0.01), 0.35 (±0.02) and 0.36 (±0.01) for ANG, CHR, HER, LIM and SIM, respectively, whereas maternal heritabilities ranged from 0.08 to 0.11. Estimated heritabilities for direct genetic effect of GL were 0.59 (±0.02), 0.42 (±0.04), 0.50 (±0.03), 0.45 (±0.04) and 0.42 (±0.03) for ANG, CHR, HER, LIM and SIM, respectively, whereas maternal heritabilities ranged from 0.03 to 0.09. Genetic correlations between direct genetic effects of CD with BWT were highly positive and with GL were moderately positive for all five breeds. Estimated genetic correlations between direct genetic effects and maternal genetic effects (rdm) ranged across the five breeds from –0.40 (±0.05) to –0.16 (±0.02), –0.41 (±0.03) to –0.27 (±0.08) and –0.47 (±0.10) to –0.06 (±0.12) for BWT, GL and CD, respectively. Fitting SxH interaction as additional random effect significantly increased the log-likelihood for analyses of BWT, GL and CD of all breeds, except for GL of CHA. The estimated heritabilities were less than or equal to the estimates obtained with models omitting SxH. The rdm increased (i.e. became less negative) for BWT, GL and CD of all five breeds. However, the increase for GL was not substantially high in comparison to the increase observed for BWT and CD. Genetic parameters obtained for BWT, GL and CD, by fitting SxH as an additional random effect, are more appropriate to use in the genetic evaluation of calving ease in BREEDPLAN.

scholarly journals CALVING AND PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED PROGENY OF SOME FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC BEEF CATTLE BREEDS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
A. K. W. TONG ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Cattle Breed ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Postnatal Mortality ◽  
Beef Cattle Breeds ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Calving Traits ◽  
Intermediate Performance

Charolais-, Simmental- and Limousin-sired calves are compared for calving traits and preweaning growth based on observations of 3939 calves born in 48 western Canadian beef cow herds of Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn breeding during the period 1970–1972. Hereford cows produced calves with longer gestation lengths, higher birth weights, slower preweaning growth, and lower weaning weights than Angus cows. Shorthorn cows produced progeny with the shortest gestation lengths and intermediate performance in other traits. Limousin sires produced calves with the longest gestation lengths, the least calving difficulty, the lightest birth weights, the lowest birth-to-weaning mortality, and the slowest preweaning growth. Charolais-sired and Simmental-sired calves did not differ significantly in gestation length, postnatal mortality or preweaning growth rate, but Simmental-sired calves were lighter at birth and calved more easily. Breed-of-sire effects interacted with breed-of-dam effects for birth weight and with sex-of-calf effects for calving ease and most measurement traits, but these interactions did not generally involve a re-ranking of sire breeds. The economic impact of the results is briefly discussed. Key words: Beef cattle, breed effects, preweaning traits

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