Productivity of Hereford, highgrade Simmental and Belmont Red beef herds in central Queensland. 2. Liveweight of the breeding herd and progeny up to weaning

Abstract

Liveweights of Hereford, highgrade Simmental and Belmont Red calves and cows, between calving and weaning, were compared at Brigalow Research Station, Theodore, Queensland. These cattle grazed predominantly improved pastures growing on cleared brigalow country. Over the 4 calf crops, highgrade Simmental calves were heavier (P<0.05) at birth, 50, 126 and 205 (weaning) days of age (41, 83, 166, 220 kg, respectively) than Belmont Red (33, 72, 141, 191 kg) and Hereford (36, 71, 138, 184 kg) calves. Belmont Red calves were significantly heavier (P<0.05) than Hereford calves at 205 days but not at other ages, while Hereford calves were heavier (P<0.05) than Belmont Red at birth. The advantage to highgrade Simmental calves was greatest during above average seasonal conditions and under these conditions Hereford calves were similar to Belmont Red calves. Conversely, under adverse seasonal conditions Belmont Red calves were heavier than Hereford calves. The 4-year average May liveweight of highgrade Simmental cows (519 kg) was heavier (P<0.05) than Belmont Red (481 kg) which was heavier (P<0.05) than Hereford (465 kg). Highgrade Simrnental breeders were always heavier than Hereford and Belmont Red. While these differences varied according to year, highgrade Simmental were always at least 41 kg heavier than Hereford and 17 kg heavier than Belmont Red. Differences between Belmont Red and Hereford were small and not commercially significant during average to above average years, but favoured the Belmont Red by up to 30 kg following below average seasonal conditions. Production of weaner liveweight per breeder was 125, 132 and 155 kg for Hereford, highgrade Simmental and Belmont Red, respectively. These weights represented 27, 25 and 32 kg weaner production respectively per 100 kg breeder liveweight supported.