Efficiency of Postweaning Gain in Herefords

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Abstract
Two-hundred-seventy-four bull calves from three inbred lines were individually fed for 168 days postweaning. Postweaning traits studied were final weight, postweaning gain in weight, TDN consumed during the postweaning period, feed efficiency calculated as kilograms of gain per 100 kg of TDN (efficiency calculated as a ratio) and feed efficiency calculated as the deviation of the actual gain from the predicted gain or quadratic regression line of gain on TDN (efficiency calculated as a deviation). Linear partial regressions of all postweaning traits on inbreeding of calf were negative although not significant for the two efficiency measures. Weaning age of calf had a significant negative effect on the two efficiency values. Phenotypic correlations of the two efficiency measures with dam most probable producing ability, weaning conformation score and weaning weight of calf were small and negative, but were small and positive with calf birth weight. Phenotypic correlations of efficiency calculated as a ratio and efficiency calculated as a deviation with final weight, gain and TDN were .01 and .34, .66 and .85, and −.12 and .09, respectively. The correlation between the two efficiency values was .90 and all results were similar for the two efficiency values. Copyright © 1977. American Society of Animal Science . Copyrigth 1977 by American Society of Animal Science