Range and Livestock Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
Home
CurrentNutrientContent
Range Comparison Pictures
Animal
Range
Publications
Weed Calculator
 

Title: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MILK PRODUCTION AND MILK EPD

Author
item Macneil, Michael

Submitted to: Hereford American
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2002
Publication Date: October 1, 2002
Citation: MACNEIL, M.D. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MILK PRODUCTION AND MILK EPD. HEREFORD AMERICAN. 2002. p. 10 & 27.

Interpretive Summary: Many breeders of registered beef cattle do not trust the genetic evaluation for maternal weaning weight or milk EPD. This research sought to validate the milk EPD using actual milk production records from Line 1 Hereford cattle at Miles City, MT. Data were collected using the weigh-suckle'weigh technique and related to genetic evaluations for maternal weaning weight from the national evaluation of Hereford cattle. A one-pound increase in the milk EPD was associated with a 24-pound increase in milk production per lactation. Breeders are advised maximum milk production may not be optimal. Too little milk may compromise growth of the calf. Too much milk may unnecessarily increase feed costs or compromise reductive efficiency of the cowherd.

Technical Abstract: Many breeders of registered beef cattle do not trust the genetic evaluation for maternal weaning weight or milk EPD. This research sought to validate the milk EPD using actual milk production records from Line 1 Hereford cattle at Miles City, MT. Data were collected using the weigh-suckle¿weigh technique and related to genetic evaluations for maternal weaning weight from the national evaluation of Hereford cattle. A one-pound increase in the milk EPD was associated with a 24-pound increase in milk production per lactation. Breeders are advised maximum milk production may not be optimal. Too little milk may compromise growth of the calf. Too much milk may unnecessarily increase feed costs or compromise reductive efficiency of the cowherd.

   
 
 
Last Modified: 05/24/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House