Charolais, Friesian and British beef sires for beef production in a Mediterranean environment

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (82) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
DR Gifford ◽  
PC Stephens ◽  
AL Pullman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Beef Breed ◽  
Upper South ◽  
Similar Growth ◽  
Calving Performance

British beef breed cow herds, located in the Adelaide Hills and upper south-east areas of South Australia, were mated to Charolais, Friesian and British beef breed sires in two consecutive years. Calving performance of 477 cows and growth and carcase characteristics of the progeny were examined. Assistance at calving was given in 2.7 per cent of the total number of Charolais calvings, 0.7 per cent of purebred calvings and none of the Friesian calvings. The percentage of stillborn calves, and calves dead within twenty-four hours of parturition, sired by Charolais, Friesian and British breed sires was 5.3, 4.6 and 3.7 per cent respectively. Charolais - and Friesian-cross progeny had similar growth rates in both the pre- and post-weaning periods but both crossbreds grew significantly faster than the purebred British breed progeny. When slaughtered at 8 to 10 months of age, Charolais-cross steers yielded significantly more meat than the purebred steers, but at that age, both the Charolais- and Friesian-cross carcases were often too lean (range in depth of backfat of 0.10 to 0.54 cm) to be suitable for the Adelaide market. We concluded that Charolais and Friesian crossbred progeny grow faster and mature later than British breed progeny in the environment studied here, and that both breeds may prove valuable as terminal sires in systematic crossbreeding programmes.

A comparison of crossbred calves by Simmental and Friesian sires for some beef production traits

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (93) ◽  
pp. 488
Author(s):  
DR Gifford ◽  
TJ Clark
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mixed Age ◽  
Calving Performance

Hereford cows of mixed age and from the same herd in the south-east of South Australia, were mated to Simmental and Friesian sires in two consecutive years. Calving performance of 129 females and growth and carcase characteristics of their progeny were examined. Breed-of-sire differences in calving assistance and calf deaths were not significant. Assistance was given in 4.5 and 6.5 per cent of the Simmental and Friesian calvings respectively over the two calf drops. The percentage of calves dead at birth, or within twenty-four hours of birth, sired by Simmental and Friesian sires was 8.8 and 10.9 per cent respectively. Both before and after weaning, the growth rates of progeny sired by Simmental and Friesian bulls were similar, except in one pre-weaning period when the Simmental cross steers grew significantly faster than the Friesian cross steers. At both the 8 to 9- and 20 to 21 -month-old slaughterings, steers of either parentage had similar carcase weight, length and fat cover. However, the Simmental cross carcases had a significantly larger eye-muscle area. At both slaughterings, carcases of both crosses were leaner than desired by the local Adelaide market. We concluded that sires of the Simmental and Friesian breeds may be suitable as terminal sires in crossbreeding programmes, but that their role in the production of first-cross cows from the traditional purebred beef cow herds needs investigating.

Growth and carcase characteristics of Simmental × Friesian and Friesian × Friesian cattle in a Mediterranean environment

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (101) ◽  
pp. 652 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Gifford ◽  
PC Stephen
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Friesian Cattle ◽  
Calving Performance ◽  
Friesian Cows

The calving performance of 152 Friesian cows, located on two properties in the southern Adelaide Hills region of South Australia and mated to Simmental and Friesian sires, is reported. The growth of their steer and heifer progeny and the carcase characteristics of the steer progeny are also reported. Differences due to breed of sire in the incidence of both assisted calvings and calf deaths at birth were not significant on either property. The number of assisted calvings ranged from 1 in 36 calvings for Friesian x Friesian to 3 in 31 calvings for the Simmental x Friesian, both recorded on the same property. The Simmental x Friesian progeny were always significantly heavier at birth than the Friesian progeny. On one property, the Simmental x Friesian and Friesian x Friesian steers grew at a similar rate from weaning at approximately 11 weeks of age until slaughter at approximately 32 months of age, at which stage their carcases did not differ significantly in weight, length, fat cover and eye muscle area. On the other property, the Simmental x Friesian steers grew significantly faster from weaning to slaughter than did the Friesian x Friesian steers. When slaughtered at approximately 34 months of age, the Simmental x Friesian carcases were heavier (P < 0.001 ) and had a larger eye muscle area (P < 0.001 ) than the Friesian x Friesian steers, but there were no significant differences in length or fat cover. The carcases of both breed types were leaner than required by the local Adelaide market and steers would need to be slaughtered at heavier liveweights than those used in this study for acceptable levels of carcase fatness to be achieved.

First calving performance of beef cattle. 1. Effects of moderate and slow growth between weaning and joining at 15 months of age

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
DJ Barker ◽  
PJ May ◽  
CA Morris ◽  
PER Ridley
Keyword(s):  
Slow Growth ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Target Weight ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Improved Pasture ◽  
Calving Performance

In each of 4 years, Shorthorn and Dairy x Shorthorn heifers were fed for moderate (55 to 101 kg) or slow (1 7 to 50 kg) growth from weaning at 7 months until joining at 15 months of age. Thereafter they grazed together on improved pasture in a 430 mm rainfall Mediterranean environment. Their performance was compared until their second calving and their calves' performance until weaning. The heifers that had grown moderately prior to their first joining had 25 to 73 kg higher average liveweight and 3 to 7 mm higher ultrasonic backfat reading during first joining, a 9% higher calving rate, 14 kg higher average liveweight but a 10% lower dystokia rate at calving, and 12 kg higher average liveweight and 1 mm higher ultrasonic backfat reading at their second joining, than those that had grown slowly. Survival of dams and calves, date of first calving, calf birth weight, second calving rate, intercalving interval and date of second calving were not significantly affected by the rate of growth prior to first joining. The effect upon dams' weight at weaning (moderate 11 kg higher than slow) was significant only at P< 0.1. Most aspects of performance differed widely amongst years, but significant year x growth interactions were only found for liveweight and condition of heifers at first joining, and for weaning weight of calf. The calves of moderately-grown heifers were of significantly lower mean weaning weight than those of the slowly-grown heifers, but only in those years when the mean mid-joining weight of the moderately grown heifers exceeded 315 kg. It is suggested that high fertility and satisfactory first calf growth are not incompatible provided that growth between the heifers' weaning and first joining is limited to that which results in a mean mid-joining liveweight not more than 20 kg higher than the target weight for 90% calving.

A STUDY OF RATES OF GROWTH OF YORKSHIRE, LACOMBE, LANDRACE, AND CROSSBRED PIGS FROM BIRTH TO 200 LB

1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-319
Author(s):  
J. M. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Rates Of Growth ◽  
Similar Growth ◽  
Crossbred Pigs

Growth records were obtained from 12 research establishments across Canada for pigs fed according to current (1960–63) recommendations of nutrition and management. Growth curves showing age in days and weight in pounds are presented for the various breeds and crossbreds, for between-station comparisons, for comparison of upper and lower quartiles in purebred pigs, and for comparison of growth rates of purebreds with that of Yorkshires of 20 to 25 years ago.Age at 200 lb averaged from 152 to 187 days, among 10 stations for the Yorkshire breed. Pigs of each of the pure breeds reached 200 lb about 3 weeks earlier than that indicated in previous studies. Crossbred pigs of each of four different crosses grew more rapidly than average Yorkshires, some reaching 200 lb in 140 days and having gains in excess of 2.3 lb/day during the finishing period. Yorkshire, Lacombe, and Landrace pigs had similar growth curves. The upper quartile averaged 1.8 and the lower 1.4 lb/day gain between 100 and 200 lb weights. Slow-maturing pigs tended to be below average throughout life but differences in maturity between stations seemed to reflect differing rates of gain in early life, since finishing period gains were similar in 8 of 10 stations.

Effects of Truttaedacnitis truttae (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) on growth and swimming of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1220-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. R. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Critical Swimming Speed ◽  
Nematode Parasites ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies ◽  
Similar Growth ◽  
Food Consumed

Growth and swimming abilities of fingerling and 1.5-year-old rainbow trout infected with the nematode parasite Truttaedacnitis truttae were examined. Control trout and trout infected in the laboratory with 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 worms exhibited similar growth characteristics over a 10-week period within each of four experimental groups fed different rations of trout chow (1, 2, 3, or 4% of wet body weight fed per day). Decreasing growth rates showed some correlation with increasing numbers of nematode parasites. Differences between growth rates, amounts of food consumed, and food conversion efficiencies of infected and noninfected fish were not statistically significant. Critical swimming speed, fixed velocity, and burst velocity stamina tests revealed similar swimming abilities in both control and infected trout. Maximum swimming speeds attained and time to fatigue at cruising speeds were more closely related to fish size than to numbers of worms with which fish were infected. Importance to rainbow trout survival of large natural infections with T. truttae is discussed.

A Comparison of Growth-Rates in Dependent Juveniles of Planigale-Gilesi and Planigale-Tenuirostris (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae)

1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Read
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Eye Opening ◽  
Body Parameters ◽  
Similar Growth

Growth rates are compared from birth to early weaning in Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris, by means of linear regression of body parameters plotted against age. Pouch young of each species had similar growth rates; an equation is given for the aging of pouch young of P. gilesi. Juveniles of P. gilesi grew faster than those of P. tenuirostris; in both species there was a trend for males to grow faster than females. Eye opening and the end of weaning were two important developmental stages, associated with changes to reduced growth rates. Changes in body condition of the juveniles indicated that the weaning process was initiated by the mother. The different growth rates between the species and sexes produced a range of body sizes in juveniles at independence. This has important implications for partitioning of food and for community structure.

Estimation of genetic parameters in beef cattle from records of performance

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 731 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Baharin ◽  
RG Beilharz
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Female Progeny ◽  
Intra Class Correlation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Estimation Of Genetic Parameters ◽  
Calving Performance

An analysis of the growth and calving performance from a crossbreeding program involving four breeds of sires (Angus, Hereford, Friesian and Shorthorn) mated to three breeds of purebred dams (Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn) and three types of crossbred heifers (Angus x Hereford, Friesian x Angus and Friesian x Hereford) during the 1971 and 1972 calving seasons is presented. The performance of the individual breeds of dams and sires were evaluated from the size and growth rate of their progeny at birth, to weaning and post-weaning, as well as from the performance of the dams at calving measured in terms of incidence of difficult calving, percentage of calves dead at birth and twinning rate. Heritability estimates calculated from intra-class correlation of paternal half-sibs were compared from records obtained from purebred calves and from crossbred calves. Crossbred calves were heavier than the purebred calves at birth and grew faster between birth and weaning. After weaning, crossbred heifers grew significantly faster than the purebreds but no significant difference was observed among the steers. There was no significant difference in performance of crossbred calves produced by the purebred and crossbred dams. Calves from the Friesian sires and Friesian cross dams were heavier at birth than calves produced by the other three breeds of beef sires or the beef crossbred dams and they grew faster to weaning. Between weaning and yearling age both the crossbred steers and heifers from the Friesian sires continued to surpass the performance of the beef breeds of sires but there were no significant differences in the performance of three-breed-cross calves of the Friesian cross dams and the Angus x Hereford dams. Heritability estimates of growth rates calculated from data on the performance of the crossbred progeny generally were lower than those calculated from data of the purebred progeny. Higher estimates of heritability were obtained from the data of female progeny than from male progeny for birth weight but the trend was reversed for growth rates between birth to weaning and from weaning to yearling age.

Ease of calving, growth and carcass characteristics of crossbred calves in the lower South East of South Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (122) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
MPB Deland ◽  
RW Ponzoni ◽  
RW McNeil
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Slaughter Cattle ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Lower South ◽  
Jersey Cows

Hereford, Charolais and Brahman sires were mated to Hereford, Shorthorn, Jersey and Friesian xshorthorn cows for four successive years from June 1969 at Struan Research Centre in South Australia. Assistance was given during 15 .9% of calvings resulting from Charolais sires, 6.8% resulting from Brahman sires and 2.1% from Hereford sires (differences statistically significant, P < 0 05). A greater percentage of Friesian x Shorthorn (13.8) than of Shorthorn (5.0) or Jersey (4 3) cows were assisted at birth (P< 0.05). There were no significant differences between the percentage of Hereford cows assisted (10.9) and that of any of the other dam breeds. There were no significant differences in calf mortality among sire breeds or among dam breeds. Charolais-sired calves were heavier at birth, 270,340 and 430 d old and had heavier (1 95 kg) carcasses with a smaller proportion of fat than Brahman- and Hereford-sired carcasses (180 and 167 kg respectively) at 430d old. Brahman-sired calves were heavier than Hereford-sired calves at birth, 370, 430 d old. However, they were significantly lighter at 270 d old. Hereford cows gave birth to significantly heavier calves than Shorthorn and Jersey cows but there were no clear differences due to dam breed in growth rates of calves, carcass weights or composition. It was concluded that the use of Charolais sires in the lower South East of South Australia can result in significant increases in the growth rate of slaughter cattle and in the production of leaner carcasses. Brahman sires did not exhibit clear advantages over Hereford sires. No definite conclusions could be drawn about the dam breeds examined in the study.

Temporal variation in the early life-history characteristics of the King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) from analysis of otolith microstructure

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 809 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Fowler ◽  
DA Short
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Exponential Relationship ◽  
Life History Characteristics ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Temperature Regimes

This study describes the duration of the settlement season, the somatic and otolith growth rates, and presettlement durations for Sillaginodes punctata at Barker Inlet, South Australia. The settlement season was from June to November, with settlement occurring in two phases over this period. Somatic growth rates ranged from <0.1 to 0.25 mm day-1 depending on age and time of year, making size (SL) a relatively poor indicator of age. Alternatively, otolith size (OL) was strongly related to age, but the linear relationships varied systematically among sampling occasions. Because of variation in somatic growth rates, the SL-OL relationships were relatively poor. The biological intercept method was used to back-calculate fish sizes from otolith increment widths for three samples of fish. These growth trajectories differed considerably, two being logistic in shape and the third being an exponential relationship. Presettlement durations increased from 80 to 130 days between June and September and were inversely related to growth rate. Settlement competence is related more to size than to age. The broad natural variation in early life-history characteristics is likely to relate to water temperature regimes along larval advection pathways through the long settlement season.

Calving performance and calf survival in a twin-calving beef herd

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
M.G. Diskin ◽  
T.G. McEvoy ◽  
J.M. Sreenan
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Calf Survival ◽  
Beef Herd ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
High Level ◽  
Calving Performance

In suckler beef production it is estimated that 55% of the total cost is required to maintain and replace the breeding females while only 1095 of total feed energy intake is stored in the tissue of the calves and cows. The low reproductive rate of the cow is primarily responsible for this low efficiency. Even in a well managed herd, weaning rate Is about 0.95 calves per cow per annum or less. It Is frequently hypothesised that increasing litter size by inducing twin calving would increase output, biological and economic efficiency provided few extra Inputs were required. Although twinning may increase the efficiency of beef production, spontaneous twin-calving is frequently associated with an Increased incidence of calving problems, poor calf survival, retained placentae and longer rebreeding intervals. Such problems related to twin-calving cannot be studied unless the frequency of twinning is increased above the levels that occur spontaneously. Embryo transfer can be used to Increase the frequency of twin calving thus allowing a better assessment of the potential to Increase output. A suckler herd, with a high level of twinning, was established to determine the effects of litter size on calving performance and calf survival rates.

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