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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331384
Title: Influences of calf background information on health responses and carcass traits

Author
item HERRING, A - Texas A&M Agrilife
item SARLO, K - Texas A&M Agrilife
item GOODER, R - Texas A&M Agrilife
item DELGADILLO, J - Texas A&M Agrilife
item RILEY, D - Texas A&M Agrilife
item SANDERS, J - Texas A&M Agrilife
item SAWYER, J - Texas A&M Agrilife
item Ridpath, Julia
item GILL, C - Texas A&M Agrilife

Submitted to: Texas A&M Annual Beef Cattle Short Course
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2016
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Weights through production lifetime and various response traits following BRD vaccination and BVDV Type 1b challenge were evaluated in Nellore-Angus F2 and F3 half-blood steers in regard to their parental crosses and subjective temperament score at weaning. Although all steers were the same breed percentages, differences in weights existed where F3 steers were up to 82 lb. lighter at 15 mo. and 41 lb. lighter for carcass weight. The F2 steers from Angus-sired F1 dams ranked heavier than F2 steers from Nellore-sired F1 dams for live weights at all ages from weaning through 15 mo., as well as for carcass weight. The nature of the cross producing these steers also influenced several leukocyte counts following BVDV challenge (but with different patterns as observed in weights) and the incidence of exceeding the rectal temperature threshold of 104o F. Following BVDV challenge, steers with reactive weaning temperament scores had higher incidence of exceeding 104o F, had 9 to 11% lower lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte and basophil cell counts, and had 21 to 44 lb. lighter weights past a year of age than calm cattle. This study illustrates that life history information of beef cattle can help explain many aspects of production chain variability within and across industry segments.