Estimation of Genetic and Maternal Effects in Crossbred Cattle of Angus, Charolais and Hereford Parentage. I. Birth and Weaning Weights

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Abstract
Linear functions of breed means were used to estimate genetic and maternal effects of Angus (A), Charolais (C) and Hereford (H) cattle. Methods, based on available breed means, were developed to estimate additive effects of each breed, individual and maternal heterosis effects for each two-breed combination, and maternal and grand maternal effects for each breed. Data from 1,223 animals were used to estimate the above genetic and maternal effects on birth and weaning weight. Additive effects of C were 8 to 12 kg (P<.01) and 17 to 21 kg (P<.01) larger than additive effects of H and A for birth and weaning weights, respectively. The sum of individual and maternal heterosis effects on 205-day weight ranged from 11 kg for CH to 20 kg for AC crosses. Average maternal heterosis effects were slightly larger than average individual heterosis values when the best estimate of individual heterosis was used. Total maternal (maternal plus grand maternal) effects of C were 12 kg greater (P<.05) than those of H in 205-day weight. Angus maternal effects were intermediate between C and H maternal effects. Positive maternal effects and negative grand maternal effects or the opposite were observed for each breed, which lends support to the theory that rearing environment of the mother influences her own maternal ability. Estimates of genetic effects were utilized to estimate means for all two-breed and three-breed rotational crossbreeding systems through eight generations. Mean of a breed combination (estimated from genetic and maternal effects estimates) agreed closely with the least squares estimate for the same combination. Copyright © 1980. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1980 by American Society of Animal Science.

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