Relationship Between Calf Birth Weight and Dam's Subsequent 200- and 305-Day Yields of Milk, Fat, and Total Solids in Holsteins

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Abstract
Relationships between calf birth weight and dam''s subsequent 200- and 305-day yields of milk, fat and total solids were investigated in 1471 calvings from 2 experimental stations and 28 yr. Independent variables included in least-squares analyses were year of calving, sex of calf and linear and quadratic effects of age of cow and calf birth weight. Sex of calf had no significant effect on any yield variable. Effects of age of cow and year of calving were significant and positive on all measures of yield. The relationship between calf birth and each yield measure was linear and positive for calf birth weights between 23 and 50 kg. Expected differences in 200-day yields of milk, fat and solids were 15.2, 11.0 and 18.8% higher for 50 kg calf birth weight as compared to 30 kg calf birth weight. Corresponding differences in 305-day milk, fat and solids were 9.4, 4.5 and 11.8%. Yields of milk, fat and solids in Holsteins increase with increasing calf birth weight.