Relationship of components of the body among mature cows as related to size, lactation potential and possible effects on productivity

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Abstract
Attributes of lactation and weight of components of the empty body were analysed to evaluate relationships between performance potential of various breeds or breed crosses and the proportion of empty-body components relative to slaughter weight. Differences in major internal organs attributable to breed, breed cross, level of food intake, mature body size and milk production potential were observed. Milk yield was positively related to proportion of lung tissue, tended to be positively related to head and liver tissues but was negatively related to the proportion of warm carcass. As estimated from a three breed diallel, significant additive breed direct effects were observed for several empty-body components. In general, heterosis tended to be non-significant for all proportions of body components with the exception of proportion of head, fore and hind feet and lung tissue. Breed crosses characterized as having greater potential for mature weight were heavier at slaughter and had a greater proportion of structural components such as head, hide and fore and hind feet. Differences among visceral organs associated with production potential for size and milk production are discussed relative to the possible effect on basal energy expenditure and the effect these differences may have on the energy requirements for a cow/calf livestock enterprise.