Evaluation of beef cattle genotypes and estimation of direct and maternal genetic effects in a tropical environment. 3. Fertility and calf survival traits
K. C. PrayagaCSIRO Livestock Industries, JM Rendel Laboratory, PO Box 5545, Rockhampton Mail Centre, Qld 4702, Australia; email: Kishore.Prayaga@csiro.au
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55(8) 811-824 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR04055
Submitted: 11 March 2004 Accepted: 25 June 2004 Published: 31 August 2004
Abstract
Data from a crossbreeding experiment were analysed to compare various breeds in a tropical environment. Data included male fertility [scrotal circumference at yearling age (YSC) and at 18 months of age (FSC)], female fertility [calving success (CS) and days to calving (DTC)], and calf survival [survival of calf up to 1 week after birth (WKS) and up to weaning (PWS)] traits. Male fertility traits were analysed as traits of the progeny generation, whereas female fertility and calf survival traits were analysed as traits of the dam (parental generation). Tropically adapted British breed bulls and taurine crossbreds (British × Sanga) had higher YSC and FSC than Zebu and its crosses when adjusted for their body weights. Large negative direct and maternal additive effects on scrotal circumference for Zebu relative to the British breed also suggested reduced scrotal circumference and fertility in Zebu and Zebu-derived crosses. Direct dominance effects for YSC and FSC were only significant when an adjustment for body weight was not included in the model, emphasising that the heterosis observed was only due to the increased body weight.
In general, CS was higher in non-lactating cows and maiden heifers than in lactating cows. The advantage to crossbred genotypes was more pronounced in lactating cows. Among lactating purebreds, CS was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Belmont Adaptaur (Hereford–Shorthorn, HS) than in Belmont Red (AX), Belmont Brahman cross (BX), and Brahman (Bh). Lactating crossbreds with a common dam breed of HS, AX, BX, and Bh had 19, 33, 21, and 14% greater CS than their respective purebreds. Boran-sired crossbred dams had higher CS than Brahman-sired crossbreds, indicating higher fertility levels of Borans. Significant direct dominance effect for CS in lactating taurine–indicine crosses and in non-lactating taurine–taurine crosses signifies the importance of use of appropriate breed crosses in improving female fertility. Significantly negative (desirable) direct dominance effects for DTC in indicine–indicine and taurine–indicine crosses suggest an advantage from crossbreeding in achieving early calvings. High mortalities were recorded in calves born to HS dams from matings with Brahman bulls due to dystocia. This resulted in low WKS and PWS for HS dam breeds. All additive and dominance effects for calf survival traits were non-significant except for the direct dominance effect in taurine–indicine crosses for PWS. Moderate percentage heterosis estimates in lactating cows for CS and desirable, significant, but low percentage heterosis estimates for DTC were observed. Percentage heterosis estimates for calf survival traits were low and non-significant.
Additional keywords: scrotal circumference, calving success, days to calving, calf survival, crossbreeding, heterosis.
Acknowledgments
The data used in the present study were generated from a crossbreeding project conducted under the leadership of Dr J. E. Frisch. His contribution towards the planning and execution of this project is highly appreciated. I also gratefully acknowledge the assistance of C. J. O’Neill, A. Day, G. Halford, J. Davies, J. Quilty, I. Gray, G. Weldon, G. Winter, and R. Holmes for care of the animals and collection of data. I thank C. J. O’Neill for maintaining and managing data over the years. I also thank Trudy Lees for working on processing and preparing data files. Meat and Livestock Australia (formerly Meat Research Corporation) provided the major part of the funding for this project through ownership of ‘Belmont’ and the cattle, and through provision of a grant. I am thankful to Dr H. M. Burrow and Dr J. M. Henshall for their valuable suggestions during the analysis and the preparation of the manuscript.
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