We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Evaluation of 2 sources of Angus cattle under South Florida subtropical conditions.
- Authors
Riley, D. G.; Arthington, J. D.; Chase Jr., C. C.; Coleman, S. W.; Griffin, J. L.; Rae, D. O.; Mader, T. L.; Olson, T. A.
- Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare performance and aspects of adaptability attributes of cattle from a Florida Angus bloodline (local source from a mostly closed herd for over 50 yr) to cattle that are representative of modern Angus bloodlines (outside source) in US subtropical conditions. Embryos from both sources were transferred to Brahman-crossbred cows in South Florida, and calves (n = 82) were born in 3 yr. Before weaning, summer tympanic temperatures were recorded hourly for 3 d in each year. Heifers were placed with fertile bulls until diagnosed pregnant. Traits relative to sexual maturation of bulls were recorded at 1- or 2-mo intervals until approximately 17 mo of age. Calves from outside sources had greater hip height at weaning than calves from the local source (P < 0.001; 108.8 ± 0.62 and 104.7 ± 0.68 cm, respectively). Local-source calves (n = 37) had greater (P = 0.03) exit velocity (2.7 ± 0.3 m/s) than outside-source (n = 45) calves (2.0 ± 0.29 m/s), which may be indicative of more nervous or temperamental disposition. However, no source differences were detected for other assessments of disposition (chute or pen score, P > 0.8). Few source differences for minimum, maximum, or range of daily tympanic (inner ear) temperatures were detected. At 17 mo of age, outside-source heifers were heavier (P = 0.05) and had greater (P < 0.001) hip height than Angus heifers from the local source. Heifers from the outside source were younger (P < 0.001) at the time of their first conception (454 ± 17.5 d) than heifers from the local source (550 ± 16.9 d). Outside-source heifers also had greater (P < 0.02) pregnancy and calving rates (0.7 ± 0.119 and 0.62 ± 0.125, respectively) from exposure to bulls within a year from weaning than the heifers from the local source (0.29 ± 0.089 and 0.19 ± 0.077, respectively). Bulls from the outside source were heavier (P = 0.05) at 320 d of age than local-source bulls. From 14 through 17 mo of age, outside-source bulls had greater (P ⩽ 0.05) scrotal circumference and tended (P ⩽ 0.15) to be heavier than local-source bulls. There appeared to be no performance or adaptation advantages for the local-source Angus through 17 mo of age. The large source difference for age at first conception in heifers merits additional attention and comparison with cow lifetime production performance for the 2 sources.
- Subjects
FLORIDA; UNITED States; CATTLE parturition; ABERDEEN-Angus cattle; CATTLE pregnancy; PASTORAL systems; HEIFERS
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2011, Vol 89, Issue 7, p2265
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2527/jas.2010-3579