Sire Breed Effects on Preweaning Traits of Crossbred and Purebred Calves from Angus or Hereford Dams

摘要

The objective of this research was to evaluate variation in calf performance from birth to weaning due to breed of sire (BRS), breed of dam (BRD), sex of calf and all interactions. Records from 2,352 calves born at the Pinetree Research unit of the Arkansas Experiment Station were utilized in the study. The physical environment and the available production resources make this location one of the more challenging environments for feeder calf productions in the state. Calves resulted from mating Angusand Hereford dams to Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Santa Gertrudis, Red Poll, Brown Swiss, or Holstein sires. Data collected were birth weight (BWT), preweaning average daily gain (ADG), weaning weight (WWT), weaning grade (WGR), and weaning body conditionscore (WBCS). Year, BRD and BRS were significant (P < 0.01) for all traits studied. Sex of calf was significant for BWT, ADG, WWT, and WGR, but not for WBCS. The interaction of BRS x BRD affected (P< 0.01) all traits studied except ADG and WBCS. This interaction indicated that there were differences in calf performance between the two dam breeds depending on the sire breed of calf. These data indicated breed differences exist for preweaning performance of two-breed-cross calves produced in an Eastern Arkansas production environment.