Genetic and Environmental Influences on Gain of Beef Cattle during Various Periods of Life

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Abstract
Birth weight, weaning weight and gain in 5 consecutive 28-day periods following weaning were studied for 832 Hereford calves. Year and age of dam effects were important for all traits. Bull calves grew faster than heifer calves during all periods. Age of calf affected weaning weight and early post-weaning gain. Heritability was .25 for weaning weight, .40 for 140-day feedlot gain and .47 for weight at one year of age. Heritabilities of gain in the early periods were higher than gains in later periods. Genetic correlations were generally high, being higher between adjacent periods and lower as the periods became more remote. Most of the environmental correlations between periods were negative. Larger negative environmental correlations existed between adjacent periods than more remote periods.

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