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Title: RELATIONSHIPS OF MILK PRODUCTION IN BRANGUS COWS TO POSTWEANING CALF PERFORMANCE

Author
item WANG, XIANGZU - GANSU AG. UNIV.
item Brown, Michael
item GAO, FENGQIN - GANSU AG. UNIV.
item WU, JIANPING - GANSU AG. UNIV.
item Mayeux Jr, Herman

Submitted to: American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2005
Publication Date: 2/5/2006
Citation: Wang, X., Brown, M.A., Gao, F., Wu, J., Mayeux, H.S. 2006. Relationships of milk production in Brangus cows to postweaning calf performance. Proceedings of the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting, February 4-8, 2006, Orlando, Florida. p. 28.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract Only

Technical Abstract: Milk yield from 157 Brangus cows and postweaning performance of their calves sired by 6 breeds (Bonsmara, Brangus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Romosinuano) was measured over a 3-yr period to estimate the relationship of actual milk yield of cows and their calves’ postweaning average daily gain on two postweaning management systems (drylot or wheat pasture). Milk yield was measured monthly six times per year using a single-cow milking machine and averaged over month. Calf postweaning average daily gain was calculated for the period of time from initiation of postweaning management treatments in the fall to early March. Calf ADG for the period was regressed on dam 24-h milk yield and interactions of linear and quadratic regression coefficients with either sire breed of calf or postweaning treatment-sex of calf (drylot steers, drylot heifers, wheat pasture steer, wheat pasture heifers) were evaluated. Results from regression analyses indicated that calf postweaning ADG was linearly related to dam milk yield but the relationships depended on either sire of calf (P < 0.10) or the postweaning treatment-sex of calf combination (P < 0.01). The trend for the relationship of dam milk yield to postweaning ADG in calves managed in drylot was positive whereas the trend was negative for calves managed on wheat pasture. The trend for the relationship of dam milk yield to postweaning ADG in calves sired by Charolais, Romosinuano, and Brangus sires was positive while the trend was negative for calves sired by Bonsmara, Gelbvieh, and Hereford sires. These results indicate the importance of matching the preweaning maternal environment to both postweaning management and sire breed used.