BRAHMAN-BRITISH BEEF CATTLE CROSSES IN CANADA: I. WEANED CALF PRODUCTION UNDER RANGE CONDITIONS

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Abstract
Three Brahman (B) bulls were mated with Hereford (H), Angus (A) and Shorthorn (S) cows and the Fi progenies were evaluated for beef production in comparison with grade Hereford cattle under range conditions in southeastern Alberta, The crossbred heifers were mated with Hereford bulls, as were their 1/4-Brahman female progenies. Calves were weaned on Nov. 1 at 6 to 7 months of age. Each of the 3 Brahman-sire progeny groups, numbering 12, 6 and 146 calves born, averaged higher than contemporary Herefords in performance. B X A and B X S cows surpassed all other groups in weaned calf crop percentage. Hereford calves were lighter than Fi and heavier than l/4-Brahman calves at birth. Breeding-group means and standard errors for weaning weight were (a) Generation 1: Hereford, 155 [plus or minus] 2.2; B X H, 165 [plus or minus] 2.4; B X A, 176 [plus or minus] 2.9; and B X S, 175 [plus or minus] 3.2 kg; (b) Generation 2: Hereford, 150 [plus or minus] 2.7; H X (B X H), 184 [plus or minus]+ 2.2; H X (B [plus or minus] A), 191 [plus or minus] 2.4; and H X (B X S), 195 [plus or minus] 2.6 kg; and (c) Generation 3: Hereford, 152 [plus or minus] 3.8; H X [H X (B X Hi), 170 [plus or minus] 3.2; H X [H X (B X A)], 182 [plus or minus] 4.1; and H X [H X (B X S)], 186 [plus or minus] 4.0 kg. An extended study of B X H and Hereford cows showed the crossbreds to be superior in longevity and lifetime productivity.

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