Breed effects and heterosis for productivity traits at first calving of Angus, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and crossbred beef cows

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Hickson ◽  
N. Lopez-Villalobos ◽  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
S. T. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Positive Heterosis

Feed requirements for maintenance contribute a large proportion of the feed requirements of a beef cow so lighter cows may be more efficient producers of weaned calves, provided that such cows do not result in a comparative reduction in calf weaning weight. Beef-cross-dairy cows have increased milk yield compared with straight-bred beef cows and have the potential to wean heavier calves. Crossbred cows may also offer potential increases in production through heterosis. This experiment examined the performance of straight-bred Angus (AA), Holstein Friesian (FF) and Jersey (JJ) cows and of Angus-sired F1 crossbreds with Holstein Friesian (AF), Jersey (AJ) and Holstein Friesian-cross-Jersey (Kiwicross; AK) cows to identify breed and heterosis effects on milk intake and liveweight of calves and liveweight, reproductive performance and fatness of cows in their first lactation. Days to calving and weaning rate from first joining were similar among genotypes, but only 50% of FF cows conceived to second joining, compared with 90–98% for the other genotypes (P < 0.05). Estimated milk intake of calves was least (P < 0.05) for calves born to AA cows, and was generally similar (P > 0.05) among calves born to crossbred cows. There were positive heterosis effects between Angus and Jersey and between Angus and Holstein Friesian on milk intake of the calf. Straight-bred FF cows weaned the heaviest calves (least-squares mean + s.e.: 241 ± 5 kg; P < 0.05). Calves born to AF and AK cows were weaned at similar liveweight (229 ± 3 kg and 226 ± 4 kg, respectively; P > 0.05), and were heavier (P < 0.05) than calves born to JJ and AJ cows, which were similar (208 ± 5 kg and 215 ± 3 kg, respectively; P > 0.05). Calves born to AA cows were lightest at weaning (196 ± 3 kg; P < 0.05). Estimates of heterosis for weaning weight were 11 ± 4 kg (P < 0.01) between Angus and Holstein Friesian, and 14 ± 4 kg (P < 0.001) between Angus and Jersey. Angus-cross-dairy cows offered production advantages over straight-bred AA cows as dam lines in a terminal cross. These advantages were partially due to heterosis.

The effect of body condition, feed level and temporary calf separation on the post-partum anoestrous period and LH and FSH levels in beef cows

1997 ◽  
Vol 1987 ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
I.A. Wright ◽  
A.J.F. Russel ◽  
T.K. Whyte ◽  
A.J. McBean
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Deleterious Effect ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Farm Livestock

Compared with other species of farm livestock the reproductive performance of beef cows is poor. Mating and calving periods are frequently extended to avoid having a large proportion of barren Cows. vs. For example the ‘average’ MLC recorded herd has a calving period of over 4months. This makes management of beef cow herds difficult and has a deleterious effect on biological efficiency and profitability.One of the major limitations to improvement of reproductive efficiency in beef cattle is the extended post-partum anoestrus. Beef cows have longer post-partum anoestrous periods than dairy cows. In one study of three different herds (Peters and Riley, 1982) the mean length of the anovulatory period ranged from 24 to 88 days.

Improving reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows by synchronising ovulation or inducing oestrus

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gy. Gábor ◽  
J. P. Kastelic ◽  
S. Pintér ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Preliminary Trial ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Considerable Promise ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Prostaglandin F

Lactating crossbred Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 331) were started on an Ovsynch regimen 68 ± 8.2 days after calving; 200 µg GnRH intramuscularly (i.m.) on Days 0 and 9, and 35 mg prostaglandin F2a i.m. on Day 7. Thirty-eight and 31 cows (11.5 and 9.4%, respectively) were in oestrus on Days 0 to 6 and 7 to 8, respectively, and inseminated, and the remainder were fixed-time inseminated (on Day 10). For these three groups, pregnancy rates (60-65 days after breeding) were 31.6, 38.7 and 34.0%, respectively (P = 0.82) and calving rates were 100, 100 and 89.9% (P = 0.23). In a preliminary trial, twelve lactating cows (45 to 60 days postpartum) with inactive ovaries were given 1500 IU eCG i.m.; 10 were in oestrus within 10 days after treatment (and inseminated) and eight of these were pregnant (30 days after breeding). The Ovsynch program resulted in acceptable reproductive performance in cyclic cows and eCG treatment has considerable promise for inducing oestrus in anoestrous cows.

scholarly journals Crossbreeding effects on growth and efficiency in beef cow–calf systems: evaluation of Angus, Caracu, Hereford and Nelore breed direct, maternal and heterosis effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1286-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio S Mendonça ◽  
Michael D MacNeil ◽  
Willian S Leal ◽  
Rodrigo C C Azambuja ◽  
Pedro F Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curves ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Beef Producers ◽  
Taurine Breed ◽  
Breed Crosses

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine breed additive and heterosis effects on growth curves, total milk yield (TMY), calf weaning weight (WW), predicted energy intake (EI), and cow efficiency (CE) of purebred and crossbred beef cows raised in Southern Brazil. The data were from 175 purebred and crossbred cows representing eight genetic groups: Angus (A), Hereford (H), Nelore (N), A × H (AH), H × A (HA), A × N (AN), N × A (NA), and Caracu (C) × A (CA). Growth of the cows was modeled using the nonlinear Brody function and machine milking was used to assess TMY. WW was linearly adjusted to 210 d. EI was predicted with an equation in which the independent variables were estimates of parameters of the Brody function and TMY. The ratio of WW to EI estimated CE. Taurine–indicine heterosis effects were significant for all traits, and greater than those for taurine breed crosses. In general, crossbred cows were heavier at maturity, matured earlier, produced more milk, weaned heavier calves, and were predicted to consume more energy. Thus, they were more efficient than purebred cows, despite their greater predicted feed intake. Among the purebreds, A cows matured most rapidly, weighed the least at maturity, produced the most milk, weaned the heaviest calves, were predicted to consume the least energy; and were therefore most efficient among the breeds that were evaluated. These results are useful as inputs to bioeconomic models that can be used to predict productive and economic outcomes from crossbreeding and to facilitate recommendations for beef producers of southern Brazil and other similar subtropical climatic regions.

A comparison among equations to characterize lactation curves in beef cows

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Hohenboken ◽  
A. Dudley ◽  
D. E. Moody
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Lactation Curve

AbstractMonthly and fortnightly milk production records were analysed from 59 autumn-calving Angus and Angus × Holstein crossbred cows. Half the cows had been administered 10 mg thyroxine per day from day 60 to 120 of lactation and half were controls. Four published equations to characterize individual lactation curves were compared. These were: (1) log Y(n) = log –a1 + b1log n – c1n (Wood); (2) equation 1 with each log Y(n)2 weighted by Yin)2 (Wood weighted); (3) log [Y(n)/n7 = log l/a3 – k3n(Jenkins); and (4) log Y(n) = a4 – b4n‘(l + 25·5 n’) + c4n2 = d 4/ n (Morant), where Y(n) is milk yield on day n of lactation, n' is n–110 (the mid point of lactation), and the a, b, c, k and d parameters are estimated from solution of the equations. The lactation curve from the Jenkins equation projected peak milk yield to occur some 30 days later than estimates from the other equations. It underestimated production early and late in lactation and overestimated it during mid lactation. For several cows, the Morant equation projected that peak production occurred at the end of lactation. Also, analysis of variance of milk production variables was less sensitive when the traits were estimated by the Morant equation than when they were estimated by one of the others. The Wood weighted equation resulted in estimates of peak day of lactation and peak yield that were less variable and more realistic than estimates from the Wood equation. Collectively, therefore, the Wood weighted equation was deemed most suitable to characterize variability among and within these beef cows in milk production. All four equations, however, ranked the 59 cows similarly for estimated 220-day yield.

Effect of calving date on lifetime productivity of cows in a winter-calving Aberdeen Angus herd

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Garcia Paloma ◽  
R. Alberio ◽  
M. C. Miquel ◽  
M. O. Grondona ◽  
J. Carrillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
The Other ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Calving Intervals

AbstractLifetime productivity of 408 Aberdeen Angus cows from the Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) of Balcarce, Argentina, was analysed during the 1972 to 1983 period according to their date of calving. Cows were allocated to two groups: one group of early first calving (Fl) when cows calved within the first 25 days of the calving period; the other, of late first calving (F2) when cows calved after that date. Independently using similar criteria, the effect of date of second calving on lifetime productivity was analysed in the same cows, groups SI and S2. Early first calving cows weaned more kg of calf when their first four calvings were considered than cows of late first calving (659 v. 628 kg). The same tendency was observed when cows were compared according to their second calving date (653 v. 634 kg). Differences in weaning weight between calves from early and late cows were only significant for the first calving (group Fl v. F2) and for first and second calving (group SI v. S2). This fact was a consequence of the shorter initial calving interval for late cows (F2 and S2) so that subsequent ages of their calves at weaning were similar to early cows (Fl and SI). Groups F2 and S2 cows had first and second calving intervals respectively of 351 and 356 days, while groups Fl and SI cows had intervals of 372 and 371 days. It is concluded that the date of the first calving and the high overall reproductive performance of the herd contributed to a high concentration of early calvings and a high productive efficiency.

Reproductive performance and growth of Shorthorn purebred and crossbred cows

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Fahmy ◽  
G. Lalande ◽  
M. Hidiroglou
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
First Time ◽  
Maximum Body

SUMMARYData were obtained from 27 pure Shorthorn, 22 Angus × Shorthorn, 31 Charolais × Shorthorn and 27 Hereford × Shorthorn cows, during 10 years. Angus × Shorthorn cows required the least number of services per conception (1·17), had the shortest average gestation lengths (280·6 days), and had a calving percentage of 88·2% and birth weight of calf of 29·8 kg. The respective figures for Charolais × Shorthorn were 1·21 services, 281·6 days, 88·3% (the highest) and 32·9 kg (the heaviest), for Hereford × Shorthorn 1·23 services, 283·6 days, 84·4% and 31·6 kg, and for pure Shorthorn 1·20 services, 282·2 days, 82·7% and 29·6 kg. Average calf weight at birth increased with the advance in age of cow up to 5 years, then showed little change. Seventy-two per cent of the crossbred cows calved for the first time at 2 years old compared with 65% of the Shorthorns. On the other hand, Shorthorn cows had the highest twinning percentage (2·9%) and the lowest single calf mortality at birth (1·4%). The maximum body weights of Angus, Charolais, and Hereford crossbreds and Shorthorn cows were 576·8, 655·8, 6254 and 553·8 kg respectively at 7–8 years of age.

Breed and environmental factors affecting the reconception of indigenous beef cows in Botswana

1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-420
Author(s):  
N. G. Buck ◽  
D. Light
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
The Other ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Lower Fertility ◽  
Main Effects

ABSTRACTThe breeding records of 2710 lactating cows, of the Africander (1208), Tswana (542) and Tuli (960) breeds, were analysed to examine the effects of breed and environment on reconception. The reconception rate of Africander cows (0·56) was significantly lower than that of Tswana and Tuli cows (0·80 and 0·81 respectively) (P<0·01). The environmental effects of ranch, calving year, calving period and age/parity all had significant effects on reconception (P<0·01). Interactions between breed and the other main effects were all significant.The Africander is considered to be a breed of lower fertility than the other two Sanga breeds, the Tswana and Tuli, in Botswana. The results are discussed with respect to determining management interventions to improve cow reproductive performance.

An evaluation of the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 12-12
Author(s):  
H S Gilmore ◽  
F J Young ◽  
R A Law ◽  
A R G Wylie ◽  
D C Patterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
On Farm

Poor fertility is a major problem on dairy farms. On-farm studies indicate than pregnancy rates to first service have declined from approximately 55% between 1975 and 1982 to 39% between 1995 and 1998 (Royal et al., 2000), illustrating a decline of approximately 1% per year during this period. The cause is multifactorial and influenced by many factors including genetics, management and nutrition. Previous studies have reported improved fertility through nutritional modification in early lactation (Gong et al., 2002). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on reproductive performance.

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