Login | Request Account (DAF staff only)

The performance of Brahman-Shorthorn and Sahiwal-Shorthorn beef cattle in the dry tropics of northern Queensland. 3. Birth weights and growth to weaning

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

View Altmetrics

Fordyce, G., James, T.A., Holroyd, R.G., Beaman, N.J., Mayer, R.J. and O'Rourke, P.K. (1993) The performance of Brahman-Shorthorn and Sahiwal-Shorthorn beef cattle in the dry tropics of northern Queensland. 3. Birth weights and growth to weaning. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 33 (2). pp. 119-127.

[img]
Preview
PDF
656kB

Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9930119

Publisher URL: https://www.publish.csiro.au/an/ea9930119

Abstract

The birth weights and weaning weights of Bus indicus cross calves from 4 inter se mated herd groups in a dry tropical environment were studied. The calving season commenced in late October, about 2 weeks before the start of the pasture-growing season. Second and subsequent generations of 112 Brahman and 112 Sahiwal crosses and first backcross, and later generations of 314 Brahman and 314 Sahiwal crosses, were represented. The Bus taurus component of the crosses was primarily Beef Shorthorn. In general, Brahman crosses were heavier at birth and grew faster to weaning than Sahiwal crosses (P<0.05), with consequent advantages in weaning weights of 11 and 6 kg in first backcross and late generation crosses, respectively. There was a birth weight advantage (P<0.05) of 112 crosses over 314 crosses, which was eroded by the time of weaning. Superior growth rates of 314 crosses were primarily expressed in years with greater nutritional stress and appeared to be due to better adaptation to environmental stresses by the calf. The only difference between filial generations was the growth rate advantage (P<0.05) of F2 1/2 crosses over F3 112 crosses, apparently due to suckling of F1 and F2 dams, respectively. Males exhibited an 8% average advantage (P<0.05) over females for all weight and growth traits in late generation calves. Calves with mature dams were 1.8 kg heavier (P<0.05) at birth. This, along with their higher (P<0.05) preweaning growth rate (19-49 g/day), resulted in calves with mature dams being 4-10 kg heavier (P<0.05) at weaning than calves of young cows. Differences between years in birth weights and preweaning growth rates were 125% (P<0.05). Birth weight was affected by nutrition of the dam in late pregnancy (early calves were generally about 1 kg lighter than late calves), and growth of calves was higher in years when the pasture growing season commenced earlier.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland
Business groups:Animal Science
Subjects:Science > Biology > Genetics
Science > Biology > Reproduction
Animal culture > Breeding and breeds
Animal culture > Cattle
Animal culture > Rangelands. Range management. Grazing
Agriculture > By region or country > Australia > Queensland
Live Archive:12 May 2024 23:29
Last Modified:12 May 2024 23:30

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics