title: Preweaning growth of Angus- (Bos taurus), Brahman- (Bos indicus), and Tuli- (Sanga) sired calves and reproductive performance of their Brahman dams.
abstract: Calves born to Angus (A), Brahman (B), or Tuli (T) bulls and B cows were evaluated to determine sire breed of calf effects on preweaning calf growth and reproductive performance of their dams. Records from 242 cow-calf pairs over 2 yr were used to assess birth weight, calf ADG, weaning weight, gestation length, and postpartum interval to estrus (PPI). The sire breed x sex of calf interaction was important (P < .05) for birth weight, weaning weight, and gestation length. Birth weights of BB males (32.8 +/- .8 kg) were significantly heavier than for AB and TB males (30.1 +/- .9 and 28.6 +/- .7 kg, respectively) and BB females (29.4 +/- .7 kg). As a main effect, sire breed of calf affected (P < .05) calf ADG, weaning weight, gestation length, and PPI. Calf ADG and weaning weights were greater for AB (.90 +/- .01 kg/d; 220.9 +/- 3.5 kg) than for TB (.81 +/- .01 kg/d; 200.4 +/- 3.0 kg) and BB calves (.78 +/- .01 kg/d; 198.8 +/- 3.5 kg). Gestation lengths differed (P < .01) among all calf genotypes (284, 288, and 294 +/- 1 d for AB, TB, and BB, respectively). Postpartum intervals were shorter (P < .05) for cows nursing BB calves (83 +/- 4 d) than for cows nursing AB (95 +/- 5 d) and TB calves (97 +/- 4 d). Tuli-sired F1 calves were inferior to Angus-sired F1 calves and similar to straightbred Brahman calves in preweaning growth. Crossbred calves had shorter gestations but longer postpartum intervals than purebred calves.
authors.affiliation: Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Overton 75684, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Leite-Browning
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Neuendorff
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Randel
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001947:Breeding; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014886:Weaning