Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Evaluation of predicted milk yield and weaning weight in Polled Hereford, Angus, Brangus, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Salers, and Simmental Breeds of beef cattle The objective of this experiment was to measure breed differences in predicted milk yield (PMY, a trait of the cow) and weaning weight (WW, a trait of the calf). Data included 935 records from a breed evaluation project at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Tidewater Research Station, Plymouth, NC. Breeds included were Polled Hereford (PH), Angus (AN), Brangus (BN), Gelbvieh (GV), Limousin (LM), Salers (SA), and Simmental (SM). Milk yields were predicted from three measurements of milk production. The model included fixed effects of calving year (CY), age of dam at calving (ADC), sex of calf, and age of granddam at time of dam's birth (AGD). Calf birth weight and breed type were treated as fixed regression covariates. Direct genetic breed effects were estimated as deviations from the mean performance of PH.
Fixed effects of CY and ADC (P < 0.01) and AGD (P < 0.07) were important. Calf birth weight affected PMY (P < 0.01). All possible combinations of single degree of freedom contrasts between breed types were done. Direct genetic effects of PH reduced PMY when compared to AN, BN, GV, SA, and SM (P < 0.05). Simmentals had a greater PMY than AN, BN, and SA (P < 0.05), and GV had greater PMY than LM (P < 0.05). Simmental's greater PMY was expected because SM was developed as dual-purpose breed and thus, selected for milk yield as well as meat production. For WW fixed effects of CY, ADC, sex of calf, and AGD were significant. Birth weight was also important (P < 0.05). Direct genetic effects of AN, BN, GV, SA, and SM increased WW as compared to PH (P < 0.05). Direct genetic effect of SM increased WW as compared to SA and LM (P < 0.05), and direct genetic effect GV increased WW as compared to LM (P < 0.05). Breed differences do exist for PMY and WW. Maximizing net return on assets should be
the goal of all beef producers. Increasing calf-weaning weight while lowering cow maintenance costs and increasing rebreeding rates would be expected to improve net return on assets for cow-calf producers.
Impacts
Results of this study contributed knowledge regarding the performance of Angus, Brangus, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Salers, and Simmental Breeds of beef cattle in the coastal plains of North Carolina.
Publications
- Cassady JP, Brown CH, Robison OW (2003) Evaluation of Predicted Milk Yield and Weaning Weight in Polled Hereford, Angus, Brangus, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Salers, and Simmental Breeds of Beef Cattle, J. Anim. Sci., 81(8):Suppl.2
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The project is progressing well. As with all projects of this type it takes time to generate enough animals to create meaningful data. In 2005 13 Braunvieh sired calves, 11 Hereford sired calves, and 5 Angus sired calves were weaned. Birth weights averaged 39, 37, and 32 kg for Braunvieh, Hereford, and Angus sired calves respectively. While weaning weights averaged 254, 234, and 234 kg for Braunvieh, Hereford, and Angus sired calves respectively. All bulls were bred to commercial Angus cows (75% or greater Angus) Based on the relatively small amount of data collected, the Braunvieh sired calves are performing very well. Their birth weights are higher than the Angus or Hereford sired calves, but still quite acceptable. The Braunvieh are outperforming the Hereford and Angus sired calves on weaning weight by a considerable margin. In the upcoming breeding season we expect to mate 99 commercial Angus cows to Braunvieh, Hereford and Angus bulls.
Impacts
Results from this project will assist beef cattle producers in the costal plains of North Carolina with decisions regarding selection of breeding systems, selection of component breeds, and herd management.
Publications
- Anderson SA,Cassady JP. Biological Efficiency in Beef Cattle: a Comparison of Weight of Cow Maintained to Adjusted 205-day Calf Weaning Weight. Journal of Animal Science. 83(Suppl. 1): Abstract #26, Published, 21 Mar 2005
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The experiment is well under way. Twelve calves were weaned. All calves are out of commercial Angus (at least 75% Angus breed composition) cows. There were 4 Angus, 4 Hereford, and 4 Branvieh sired calves. Their birth weights in kg averaged 31, 35, and 35 and 205 day weights in kg averaged 237, 234, and 209 for Angus, Branvieh, and Hereford sired calves, respectively. There will be 100 commercial Angus females available for mating during the upcoming breeding season. Thus, the volume of data will be increasing dramatically.
Impacts
Results from this project will assist beef cattle producers in the costal plains of North Carolina with decisions regarding selection of breeding systems, selection of component breeds, and herd management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|