YEARLY TRENDS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF BULLS ENTERED AT THE SASKATOON ROP BULL TEST STATION

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 965-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. KOOTS ◽  
R. D. H. COHEN ◽  
H. H. NICHOLSON

Trends were determined for the performance traits of beef bulls of five breeds tested at the Saskatoon ROP bull Test Station between 1965 and 1986. Means were calculated for each year for each breed with respect to start-of-test weight, end-of-test weight, average daily gain-on-test, and adjusted 200-day weight. A significant (P < 0.05) year-of-test effect was found for each of the four traits studied for Angus; for start-of-test, end-of-test and 200-d weight for Hereford and Shorthorn; for start-of-test and end-of-test weight for Simmental; and for only start-of-test weight for Charolais. These data suggest that bulls in all five breeds were significantly heavier each year when entering the test and that all except Charolais were heavier each year when completing the test but that only the Angus breed gained weight on test at a significantly faster rate each year. Key words: Record of performance, bull, beef

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. BASARAB ◽  
J. N. B. SHRESTHA ◽  
R. J. PARKER

Records on 1820 Suffolk ram lambs from seven test stations were studied to determine the effect of birth type of lamb, age of dam, entry weight and prestation gain on test results at Canadian Record of Performance (ROP) Test Stations. Rams born as singles were heavier (P < 0.05) at station entry and gained more (P < 0.05) from birth to station entry (prestation gain) than rams born as twins or triplets, whereas twins and triplets were similar in this respect (P > 0.05). Weight on test and gain during adjustment period of rams born as singles, twins or triplets reflected these differences. Daily gain of rams on test was not influenced by type of birth. Age of dam did not affect entry weight, prestation gain, daily gain in the adjustment period, on-test weight or daily gain. The relationship between entry weight (EW) and average daily gain on test (ADG) was curvilinear and is described by the equation[Formula: see text]The 95% confidence limits of entry weight for maximum ADG were 16.2–39.8 kg. The relationship between prestation gain (PG) and ADG was also curvilinear[Formula: see text]The 95% confidence limits of prestation gain for maximum ADG were 0.27–0.71 kg d−1. Ram lambs with entry weights and prestation gain outside the 95% confidence limits had lower ADG. Test station results of ram lambs were not affected by birth type of lamb, age of dam, entry weights between 16 and 40 kg and prestation gains between 0.27 and 0.71 kg d−1. Key words: Suffolk, birth type, age of dam, entry weight, prestation gain, station performance


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Stookey ◽  
L. A. Goonewardene

Data from two record of performance test stations (ROP) were used to compare selected traits of polled and horned bulls. The University of Saskatchewan (SASK) ROP test station provided data on 578 Charolais (CH) and 375 Hereford (HE) bulls from 1985 to 1992, while the Alberta (ALTA) Hereford ROP station provided data on 1485 HE bulls from 1985 to 1993. Polled and horned CH bulls from SASK showed similar (P > 0.05) on-test average daily gain (ADG), while polled HE bulls from SASK showed significantly higher (P < 0.03) ADG than their horned counterparts (1.41 ± 0.01 and 1.36 ± 0.02, respectively). Polled CH bulls were 11.4% fatter than horned bulls at the end of the test (P < 0.01). No significant differences in ADG, weight per day of age (WPDA) or scrotal circumference (SC) were observed between polled and homed HE bulls in ALTA. These results show no disadvantage for polled bulls compared to horned for ADG, WPDA, adjusted SC and adjusted yearling weight. From a welfare perspective, it may be advantageous to use polled bulls to circumvent the need for dehorning. Key words: Polled horned bulls ADG test station


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. de ROSE ◽  
J. W. WILTON

Data collected from Canadian central test stations were used to obtain estimates of genetic progress for test station average daily gain (ADG-T), height at hooks (HH), ultrasonically measured backfat thickness midway between the 11th and 12th ribs (FAT) and scrotal circumference (SC). Where possible, records for preweaning average daily gain (ADG-W) from the Federal-Provincial Herd Record of Performance program were obtained for tested bulls. Estimated breeding values were regressed on year of birth to obtain estimates of genetic trend for each trait, for the six principal breeds enrolled in the testing program: Aberdeen Angus (AA), Charolais (CH), Hereford (HE), Limousin (LM), Shorthorn (SH) and Simmental (SM). Estimated trends were generally significant with the exception of those for the LM breed, and the trait of SC. For FAT, trends were generally positive for the exotic breeds, and negative for the British breeds. Significant positive trends were observed for HH, ADG-W and ADG-T for most breeds. Examples of estimated genetic trends, for the HE breed, were 0.0022 kg d−1 yr−1, 0.0023 kg d−1 yr−1, 0.090 cm yr−1 (NS), − 0.029 mm yr−1, and 0.009 cm yr−1 (NS), respectively, for ADG-W, ADG-T, HH, FAT and SC (NS = not significant). Most estimated trends were low, in the order of 0.1 to 0.5% of population mean per year. Key words: Genetic trend, central test stations, beef bulls


1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Goonewardene ◽  
P. A. Day ◽  
N. Patrick ◽  
H. D. Scheer ◽  
D. Patrick ◽  
...  

Birth weights of Boer (BO) sired kids were 9% higher than Alpine (AL) sired kids. Weaning, 160 d weight and preweaning average daily gain (ADG) were similar for the AL × AL, AL × SA and BO × AL. Breed of dam was significant (P < 0.02) for birth, weaning, 100-d weight, and preweaning ADG. Similar dressing percentage (DP) and ribeye muscle area (REA) were observed among AL × AL, AL × SP, and BO × SP crosses. Key words: Crossbreeding, Boer, Alpine, growth, carcass, ultrasound


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 665-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. JEFFRIES ◽  
R. G. PETERSON

Genetic parameters were estimated for 2403 purebred Yorkshire pigs over a 2-yr period, representing 21 sires. The traits studied included average daily gain, age adjusted to 90 kg, ultrasonic measurements of backfat at the mid-back and loin positions, total and adjusted total ultrasonic backfat and corresponding carcass backfat measurements. Least squares analyses were used to estimate and adjust for the effects of sex, year-season and sex by year-season interaction. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were calculated for all traits using both half- and full-sib estimates. Adjusted age and adjusted total ultrasonic backfat measurements were found to have the highest heritabilities of the live traits in this study. Estimates of heritability for adjusted age and adjusted total ultrasonic backfat were 0.24 ± 0.10 and 0.26 ± 0.10 based on half-sib and 0.56 ± 0.07 and 0.41 ± 0.06 from full-sib analyses. The genetic correlation between these two traits was −0.07 ± 0.28 based on the half-sib method. The total phenotypic correlation was −0.01 ± 0.02. Key words: Swine, ultrasonic backfat, heritabilities, genetic correlations


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 304-304
Author(s):  
Matthew D Garcia ◽  
Madelyn Kunzler ◽  
Kim Chapman

Abstract This study evaluated changes in performance of bulls enrolled in the Utah Beef Improvement Association’s (UBIA) annual performance tests conducted in accordance with central bull test standards established by the Beef Improvement Federation. Breeds with over 500 bulls enrolled over the period of 2004 to 2018 were included in the evaluation. The breeds with greater than 500 animals evaluated included the Angus, Red Angus, Hereford and Simmental Breeds. Traits evaluated included birth weight, initial weight, a 205-day adjusted weaning weight, final test weight, average daily gain, adjusted yearling weight, and weight per day of age. The mixed model procedure of SAS and interval regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the yearly rate of change for each breed and to determine if that rate of change was significantly different (P &lt; 0.05) between the evaluated breeds. When evaluating all breeds represented across years, significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were observed for rate of change when evaluating birth weight and 205-day adjusted weaning weight. However, no differences were observed between breeds with more than 500 animals represented. Significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) for rate of change were observed when comparing the top four represented breeds, for average daily gain, initial test weight, final test weight, adjusted yearling weight and weight per day of age. Specifically, a declining trend was noted for all breeds when evaluation all significant traits. When evaluating the previously described traits, the Angus breed was significantly different in its rate of decline when compared to the Red Angus and Hereford breeds. The lone increasing trend was observed in the Hereford breed which had a positive increasing trend for initial test weight which was significantly different (P &lt; 0.05) from both the Angus and Red Angus breeds but not significantly different from the Simmental breed.


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 967-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. ZoBell ◽  
L. A. Goonewardene ◽  
K. Ziegler

Studies were undertaken to evaluate bloodless castration (B) based on growth and carcass traits. During the first 28 d, bloodless and surgical (S) castrates showed a 51–53% and 68–73% reduction in average daily gain, respectively, compared with intact bulls (I) (P < 0.05) in two trials. Bulls grew faster than steers overall. Carcass traits and grade were similar for B, S and I (P > 0.05). Key words: Bloodless, surgical, castration, growth, carcass traits


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
S. L. Boyles ◽  
L. J. Johnson ◽  
W. D. Slanger ◽  
B. J. Kreft ◽  
J. D. Kirsch

Twenty-six of 52 heifers with an average liveweight of 318 kg were dewormed by intraruminal injection of oxfendazole and placed in drylot on 31 January. The other 26 animals served as controls. All heifers were pastured starting on 14 June and the treatment heifers were dewormed in the same manner as at the start of the experiment (31 January) on 1 July and 31 July. The groups started out with similar total worm eggs per gram of fecal sample, but the dewormed heifers had fewer counts each month thereafter. The drylot average daily gain of the treated heifers was higher (P = 0.01) and less variable (P = 0.12) and by 29 May these animals were heavier by 11.7 kg (P = 0.10). The treated animals did not gain as fast on pasture (P = 0.20), but the gain continued to be less variable (P = 0.09). Age at puberty was not different. Number of open heifers in the treated group was 4 vs. 15% for the control group (P = 0.18). Deworming by intraruminal injection resulted in faster feedlot gains, more uniform gains during both drylot and pasture, reduced parasites and no abscess at injection sites. Key words: Anthelmintics, oxfendazole, cattle, heifers


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Munro ◽  
A. Lirette ◽  
D. M. Anderson ◽  
H. Y. Ju

Two-hundred and nine purebred Yorkshire newly weaned piglets were used to determine the effect of the sweetener Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) at 83.3, 167 or 334 mg kg−1 diet on feed consumption (FC), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) compared with treatments with 5% sucrose and no sweetener (control; C). The Stevia-containing diets did not appear to have detrimental effects on the FC and F/G ratios of the piglets when compared with C. The results indicated only a limited potential for Stevia as feed additive for piglets. Key words: Sweetener, palatability, Stevia, weaned pigs


1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Goonewardene ◽  
R. K. Hand

The data were obtained from cow calf pairs and replacement heifers grazing summer pastures in northwest Alberta. The objectives were to study the association of age, weight, condition score, cow and calf gain on the prevalence, intensity and severity of hoof (sand) cracks and to determine if such cracks affected cow and calf average daily gain. Cows that had cracks were 1.5 yr older, 43 kg heavier and fatter than cows that showed no cracks. The prevalence of sand cracks was 20–21%. Whereas 3.4% of cows and heifers which were 1 and 2 yr old had cracks, 32.4% of the 3- to 5-yr old and 47.9% of the > 5-yr-old cows had cracks (P < 0.0001). Similarly while 8.4% of the lighter (< 522 kg) cows had cracks, 32.3% of the heavier (> 522 kg) cows had cracks (P = 0.003). Discriminant analysis showed that cows with cracks were older, heavier and fatter at the end of the grazing period. Age of cow, weight and fatness had no effect on intensity or severity of cracks. The presence or absence of cracks had no effect (P > 0.05) on cow or calf gains on pasture. Key words: Hoof cracks, prevalence, intensity, severity, age, weight, fatness


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document