Maternal breed of sire effects on postweaning performance of first-cross heifers and production characteristics of 2-year-old heifers

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 69; no. 11; pp. 4368 - 4376
• Main Authors: Reynolds, W.L. (USDA, ARS, Fort Keogh Livest. and Range Res. Lab., Miles City, MT), Urick, J.J, Knapp, B.W, MacNeil, M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Savoy, IL Am Soc Animal Sci 01-11-1991; American Society of Animal Science
• Subjects: AGE; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Birth Weight - genetics; Body Composition - genetics; BOVIN DE BOUCHERIE; Breeding; Cattle - genetics; Cattle - growth & development; Cattle - physiology; Cattle Diseases - genetics; Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids; Crosses, Genetic; DESCENDANCE; DESTETE; DISTOCIA; Dystocia - genetics; Dystocia - veterinary; DYSTOCIE; Eating - genetics; EDAD; Female; Fertility - genetics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GANADO DE CARNE; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; GENISSE; Male; Mortality; NOVILLA; PADRE; PARTO; PARTURITION; PERE; PERFORMANCE DE REPRODUCTION; PESO; POIDS; Pregnancy; PRODUCTOS DEL CRUZAMIENTO; PRODUIT DE CROISEMENT; PROGENIE; RACE; RAZAS; RENDEMENT LAITIER; RENDIMIENTO LECHERO; REPRODUCTIVIDAD; SEVRAGE; SUPERVIVENCIA; SURVIE; Vertebrata; Weight Gain - genetics; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Growth; Fertility; Dystocia; Production; Race; Hybrid; Ox; Yield; Artiodactyla; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.2527/1991.69114368x

Postweaning growth rates from weaning to 18 mo, fall condition score, pregnancy rates, and production to 2 yr of age were evaluated in a study of Angus (A)-, Pinzgauer (P)-, Red Poll (R)-, Simmental (S)-, and Tarentaise (T)-sired females from Hereford dams. Firstcross heifers from the different sire breeds did not differ (P 0.10) in initial weight. During a 140-d feed test, S gained 98.6 kg, exceeding (P 0.05) gains of P, 92.3; A, 91.4; and R, 87.3 kg but not T, 94.1 kg. Red Poll-sired heifers weighed less at the end of the 140-d test (P 0.05) than the other crosses, which did not significantly differ from each other. Ne breed of sire differences were found in gain from 140 d to fall weight. Simmental-sired heifers weighed more (P 0.05) than A- and R-sired heifers at 18 mo. Breed of sire and year interacted to affect pregnancy rate of the yearling heifers when mated to Shorthorn sires for 45 d. Percentage of dystocia varied from a low of 26.3 and 28.9% for T- and A-sired heifers, respectively, to 54.4 and 60.8% for P- and S-sired heifers, respectively (P 0.05). Age of dam of heifers affected (P 0.05) weight at the different period end points but not gains after weaning. Age of dam also affected incidence of dystocia. Two-year-old heifers from young dams had more dystocia than heifers from older dams. Shorthorn-sired calves from 2-yr-old heifers with different sire breeds differed in birth weight (P 0.05) but not survival from birth to weaning, ADG from birth to weaning, weaning age, or weaning condition score. Average 200-d weight of calves from P-, S- and T-sired heifers exceeded those from A- and R-sired heifers by 10.7 kg, or 5.7%