Factors affecting weaning weight of beef cattle in a tropical environment

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (68) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Seifert ◽  
TH Rudder ◽  
JW Lapworth
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Tropical Environment ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Commercial Property

Age corrected weaning weights from a commercial property in central Queensland were analysed by the least-squares method. The breeder herd composition varied from low to high grade Brahman cross cows, and Belmont Red, Brahman, Droughtmaster, Hereford and Santa Gertrudis bulls were used in a rotational crossbreeding programme. Age of dam had the largest effect on weaning weight. Cows 11 years and older, produced calves 36 kg heavier than 2-year-old cows. Breed of sire effects were highly significant (P < 0.005), with the Belmont Red sired calves being heavier than Brahman, Hereford, Santa Gertrudis and Droughtmaster sired calves. Day of birth had a significant effect on weaning weight representing an extra 0.14 � 0.04 kg per day of age. Over the whole group, heifer calves were 4.2 per cent lighter than steers, but this varied according to the breed of sire ranging from 9.6 to -0.5 per cent.

Growth performance of Brahman and Charolais × Brahman cattle in a tropical environment

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Rudder ◽  
GW Seifert ◽  
KG Bean
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Tropical Environment ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Primary Reason ◽  
Commercial Property ◽  
Brahman Cattle

Weight per day of age at weaning (175 days) and at 553 days, and post-weaning gain were collected from 159 high grade Brahman and 35 Charolais x Brahman crossbreds on a commercial property in Central Queensland and analysed by the least squares method. The primary reason was to measure the effect of Charolais infusion on high grade Brahman cattle. CharolaisxBrahman cattle were 0.280 kg and 0.168 kg heavier per day of age at weaning and 553 days respectively, and gained 0.126 kg day-1 more during the post-weaning period than the Brahmans (all P < 0.005). Older dams weaned heavier calves than younger dams (P < 0.01), but the differences were non-significant at 553 days and for post-weaning gain. Males were significantly heavier per day of age at weaning and 553 days, and gained more during the post-weaning period. The regression on day of birth was highly significant (P < 0.005) for weight per day of age at 175 days, but not at 553 days.

scholarly journals Factors affecting growth traits of beef cattle breeds raised inSlovakia

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 14-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Krupa ◽  
M. Oravcová ◽  
P. Polák ◽  
J. Huba ◽  
Z. Krupová
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Linear Model ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
General Linear Model ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Sex Effect ◽  
Beef Cattle Breeds

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;

SEX OF CALF AND AGE OF DAM ADJUSTMENTS FOR SOME PERFORMANCE TRAITS IN TWO POPULATIONS OF BEEF CATTLE

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. SHARMA ◽  
L. WILLMS ◽  
R. T. HARDIN ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Adjustment Factors ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Two Populations ◽  
Age And Sex ◽  
Methods Of Application

Sex of calf and age of dam effects on birth weight, preweaning ADG, 180-day weaning weight; and age of dam effects on yearling weight, postweaning ADG in males, and 18-mo weight in females were studied in a Hereford and a beef Synthetic population. The effects of breed, sex of calf, age of dam and year were significant on preweaning traits. The superior milking ability of Synthetic cows over Herefords was more pronounced for male than female calves. Additive and multiplicative adjustment factors were calculated from the least squares analyses. Additive adjustments for age of dam and multiplicative adjustments for sex of calf were found most suitable for preweaning traits. Three methods of application of adjustment factors were studied. Multiplicative sex of calf adjustment followed by additive age of dam adjustment was found to be most effective as indicated by the reductions in mean squares for main effects and interactions. Additive and multiplicative age of dam factors are presented for yearling weight in males and 18-mo weight in females. Use of additive factors is recommended. Extending weaning weight age of dam adjustments for postweaning traits was not found suitable in this study. Key words: Beef cattle, age and sex, adjustment factors

INFLUENCE OF BIRTH DATE, SEX OF CALF, BREED GROUP AND AGE OF DAM ON PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF RANGE BEEF CALVES

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. AHUNU ◽  
M. MAKARECHIAN
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Breed Group ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
Quadratic Effects

Preweaning data on 2856 calves covering a 14-yr period in three breed groups of range beef cattle: Hereford (HE), Beef Synthetic (SY) and Beef Crossbred (XB) were analyzed for birth weight, weaning weight and preweaning average daily gain (ADG). Year of birth, age of dam, sex of calf and breed group were considered as main effects. Calf birth date was used as a covariate in the least-squares analyses. Year of birth was a significant source of variation. The correlation coefficients between the least-squares constants for years and year of birth indicated a steady improvement in the preweaning traits over the 14-yr period. Bull calves exceeded heifers (P < 0.05) in all traits except for ADG in HE. Preweaning performance peaked in calves from 5- to 6-yr-old dams. Though heavier at birth, XB calves were excelled by SY calves at weaning primarily because of superior ADG recorded in SY, while HE was the lightest of the breeding populations. Breed group by sex of calf interactions for weaning weight and ADG were significant. In addition, declining multiplicative sex adjustment factors from birth to weaning in the HE and XB populations suggested that in view of their greater potential for growth, male calves might have been marginally disadvantaged by the poor nutritional environment provided by the dams. In the HE and SY populations, calf birth weights significantly increased with the progression of the calving season, but the stage of the calving season did not affect calf birth weights in XB. The linear effects of age of calf were generally significant for weaning weight while quadratic effects were significant only in the XB population. Key words: Beef cattle, preweaning traits

Factors affecting birth weight and performance to weaning of beef calves in the dry tropics of north Queensland

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (93) ◽  
pp. 494 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Winks ◽  
PK O'Rourke ◽  
PC Venamore ◽  
R Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
And Performance

Data from 533 calves from 321 Shorthorn cows at 'Swan's Lagoon', north Queensland, were analysed by the least-squares method. Calves were sired by either Sahiwal or Brahman bulls. Birth weights, growth rates and corrected 180-day weights were comparable in Brahman and Sahiwal cross calves. Age of dam had a significant effect on performance with cows 5-8 years and 9+ years producing heavier calves than cows 3-4 years of age. Calves born early in the season were significantly superior to calves born later and males outperformed females throughout, being 8-9 per cent heavier at 180 days. Pre-calving weight of the cow was positively correlated with calf growth rate and 180 day weight. Calf gains were inversely related to cow gains from birth to weaning. Calf birth weight was significantly correlated with calf growth rate and 180-day weight.

Factors affecting birth weight and performance to weaning of Bunaji calves

1988 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 407-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. O. Oni ◽  
V. Buvanendran ◽  
N. I. Dim
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Genetic Differences ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
And Performance

Birth weight and pre-weaning performance are recognized as important components in determing economic returns from beef cattle. The accuracy of ranking animals based on their breeding values, and hence the effectiveness of selection, will be increased when allowance is made for non-genetic sources of variation. Furthermore, the proper evaluation of identifiable sources of variation in calf weaning weight aids in more accurate appraisal of genetic differences in mothering ability among beef cows.

scholarly journals Factors affecting actual weaning weight, preweaning average daily gain and relative growth rate in Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed

2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Goyache ◽  
I. Fernández ◽  
L. J. Royo ◽  
I. Álvarez ◽  
J. P. Gutiérrez
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Relative Growth Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Cattle Breed ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract. In this paper we analyse the major environmental and genetic factors affecting actual weaning weight (WW), preweaning average daily gain (ADG) and relative growth rate (RGR) in a representative sample of field data of Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed. Major environmental factors affect preweaning growth performance of Asturiana de los Valles calves in the direction usually found in the literature. However RGR seems to be self-corrected for sex of calf and calving number. Heritabilities for the direct and maternal genetic effects were 0.67 and 0.29, 0.51 and 0.31 and 0.18 and 0.12 respectively for WW, ADG and RGR. The estimates of genetic parameters affecting RGR are more realistic than those estimated for the WW and ADG. Selection for RGR would lead to obtain higher growth rates and lower birth weights. RGR could be an interesting selection criterion in beef cattle improvement programs.

Evaluation of beef cattle genotypes and estimation of direct and maternal genetic effects in a tropical environment. 1. Growth traits

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Prayaga
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Final Weight

Data from a crossbreeding experiment conducted during 1992–97 involving 31 genotypes from tropically adapted British (B), Sanga-derived (S), Zebu cross (Zx), Zebu (Z), and Continental (C) beef cattle breed groups were analysed to compare least-squares means, direct and maternal genetic effects, and heterosis estimates for birthweight, weaning weight, yearling weight, final weight (18 months), and pre- and post-weaning average daily gain (ADG). The genotypes were regrouped as Bos taurus (B, S, C)- and Bos indicus (Z, Zx)-derived groups to enable the comparison of direct (dD) and maternal (mD) dominance effects among indicine (II), taurine–indicine (TI), and taurine (TT) crosses. Genotype, contemporary group (year of birth, season of birth, and age of the dam), sex, and genotype × sex interactions were significant (P < 0.01) sources of variation for all the traits. Treatment to control parasites significantly (P < 0.01) affected post-weaning growth traits. In general, crossbred calves performed better than purebred calves. Z dam breeds resulted in lower birthweight, and Z sire breeds and S dam breeds resulted in heavier birthweights. For traits after birth, ZC and ZC crosses with S and Z showed heavier weights and higher gains. Prior to weaning, males weighed significantly more and gained weight at a faster rate than females in most of the crossbreds. Weight gain was relatively low between weaning and yearling age.Direct and maternal additive effects were estimated as a deviation from the British breed group mean for various traits. Direct additive effects of C, Z, and S were high and significantly different from the British mean for all the growth traits. Maternal additive effects of C were low and not significantly different from the British mean. Large negative maternal additive effects of Z and Zx caused lower birthweights of calves from Z and Zx dams. A decrease of maternal additive effect from weaning to final weight and pre-weaning to post-weaning ADG was noticed. The magnitude of dD effects was higher in TI crosses than in II crosses for all the traits except for birthweight, indicating the advantage of Bos taurus × Bos indicus crosses. In TT crosses, dD was only significant for weaning weight (P�<�0.01) and pre-weaning ADG (P < 0.05). Significant (P < 0.01) and positive mD effects observed in TI crosses indicated a better maternal environment provided by crossbred dams. High correlation coefficient estimates (0.92–0.99) between least-squares means and predicted means, observed for a set of F1 genotypes, indicated the prediction of performance of untested genotypes with reasonable accuracy. The per cent heterosis estimates were higher in Zebu × British breed crosses.

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