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Article: Preweaning Performance, Heterosis, and Direct and Maternal Breed Effects in Angus, Hereford, Red Poll, Santa Gertrudis, and Reciprocal-Cross Calves
- Article from:
- Professional Animal Scientist
- Article date:
- October 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists Oct 2009. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT
Production records of 1,631 cow-calf pairs were used to evaluate breed and breed combination differences in calf performance to weaning and to estimate heterosis, maternal breed effects, and direct breed effects. Included were straight-bred Angus (A), Hereford (H), Red Poll (RP), and Santa Gertrudis (SG) and reciprocal crosses. Data were birth weight (BWT), ADG, weaning weight (WWT), weaning grade, and weaning body condition score (WBCS). Data were analyzed using mixed model procedures in which sire within sire breed was a random effect used for testing direct breed effects. The interaction of sex of calf by breed of dam was evident (P < 0.01) for ADG and WWT. The interaction of ...