Evaluation of Bonsmara and Belmont Red cattle breeds in South Africa. 1. Productive performance
N. J. Corbet A E , R. K. Shepherd B , H. M. Burrow C , J. van der Westhuizen D , P. E. Strydom D and D. J. Bosman DA CSIRO Livestock Industries, Box 5545, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
B Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
C CRC for Cattle and Beef Quality, University of New England, NSW 2351, Australia.
D ARC Animal Improvement Institute, Private Bag X2, Irene 1672, South Africa.
E Corresponding author. Email: nick.corbet@csiro.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(2) 199-212 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05223
Submitted: 24 August 2005 Accepted: 14 December 2005 Published: 3 March 2006
Abstract
The productive performance of progeny by Bonsmara and Belmont Red sires was compared in contemporarily reared groups in South Africa. Measurements on 4279 pedigreed progeny of 96 Bonsmara sires and 18 Belmont Red sires were recorded over 15 years in 4 diverse climatic regions of South Africa. Growth traits were measured on growing stock from birth to 18 months at pasture. Weight gain, feed conversion rate, frame size, scrotal circumference and visually assessed ‘functional efficiency’ scores were recorded on male progeny fed high protein rations. Carcass traits were measured on a subset of the male progeny. Age at first calving, and repeated measurements of calving date and calving interval were recorded on breeding females as indicators of reproductive performance. Tick counts were made on males and females across a range of ages during times of heavy field infestation.
There were differences in progeny performance for some traits. Bonsmara sired animals generally scored higher than Belmont Red progeny for functional efficiency. Belmont Red sired calves were lighter at birth (35.9 v. 37.3; P0.05) and cows by Belmont Red sires had a shorter average calving interval (440 v. 455; P<0.05). Sire breed by region interaction was not important. The differences in scored and measured traits generally reflected differences in selection policies adopted by the breed societies. Variation in growth and fertility traits due to sire was greater than variation due to breed and demonstrated the potential for identifying superior individuals. The performance of the sire breeds for the range of traits and environments studied advocated that selected Bonsmara and Belmont Red animals from South African herds would be suitable for inclusion in breeding programs in Australian Belmont Red herds.
Additional keywords: adaptability, breed comparison, fertility, growth.
Acknowledgments
This study reports on data collected for the South African National Beef Cattle Performance Testing Scheme. The generation of Belmont Red progeny data relied on the initiative of Australian CSIRO and South African Agricultural Department staff to form a collaborative research project in 1981 and introduce semen from Australia to South Africa. Dr George Seifert (ex CSIRO, Australia) and Dr Jan Hofmeyr (ex South African Department of Agriculture) were key personnel involved with the genesis of the collaborative project. We thank the owners of the herds involved with the project and all those responsible for collection, maintenance and retrieval of the data (especially Leslie Bergh, Bernice Mostert, Rain Gerhard and Annette Exley at the Irene Animal Improvement Institute). The study was partly funded by the CSIRO and the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cattle and Beef Quality.
Bean KG,
Seifert GW,
Macqueen A, Doube BM
(1987) Effect of insecticide treatment for control of buffalo fly on weight gains of steers in coastal Central Queensland. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 27, 329–334.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burns BM,
Reid DJ, Taylor JF
(1997) An evaluation of growth and adaptive traits of different cattle genotypes in a subtropical environment. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 37, 399–405.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burrow HM
(2001) Variances and covariances between productive and adaptive traits and temperament in a composite breed of tropical beef cattle. Livestock Production Science 70, 213–233.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burrow HM, Corbet NJ
(2000) Genetic and environmental factors affecting temperament of Zebu and Zebu-derived beef cattle grazed at pasture in the tropics. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 51, 155–162.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burrow HM,
Seifert GW, Hetzel DJS
(1991) Consequences of selection for weaning weight in Zebu, Bos taurus and Zebu × Bos taurus cattle in the tropics. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 42, 295–307.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coates DB, Bean KG
(1978) Post-weaning growth rates of Belmont Red and Hereford steers. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 12, 218.
Corbet NJ,
Shepherd RK,
Burrow HM,
Prayaga KC,
van der Westhuizen J, Bosman DJ
(2006) Evaluation of Bonsmara and Belmont Red cattle breeds in South Africa. 2. Genetic parameters for growth and fertility. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 213–223.
da Silva RG,
la Scala Junior N, Pocay PLB
(2001) Transmission of ultraviolet radiation through the haircoat and the skin of cattle. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia 30, 1939–1947.
Eloff HP, Ludemann CJF
(1977) Post-weaning body mass gain of four breeds of steers on different nutritional levels. South African Journal of Animal Science 7, 191–193.
Fivaz BH, De Waal DT
(1993) An evaluation of strategic and short interval tick control in indigenous, exotic and crossbred cattle. Tropical Animal Health and Production 25, 19–28.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Fordyce G, Cooper NJ
(1995) An evaluation of visual assessment for fertility in Brahman cross cows using the Bonsma technique. Theriogenology 43, 495–507.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fordyce G,
Goddard ME, Seifert GW
(1982) The measurement of temperament in cattle and the effect of experience and genotype. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 14, 329–332.
Frisch JE
(1999) Towards a permanent solution for controlling cattle ticks. International Journal for Parasitology 29, 57–71.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Frisch JE, O’Neill CJ
(1998a) Comparative evaluation of beef cattle breeds of African, European and Indian origins. 1. Live weights and heterosis at birth, weaning and 18 months. Animal Science (Penicuik, Scotland) 67, 27–38.
Frisch JE, O’Neill CJ
(1998b) Comparative evaluation of beef cattle breeds of African, European and Indian origins. 2. Resistance to cattle ticks and gastrointestinal nematodes. Animal Science 67, 39–48.
Frisch JE, Vercoe JE
(1977) Food intake, eating rate, weight gains, metabolic rate and efficiency of feed utilisation in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred cattle. Animal Production 25, 343–358.
Gazzola C,
O’Neill CJ, Frisch JE
(1999) Comparative evaluation of the meat quality of beef cattle breeds of Indian, African and European origins. Animal Science 69, 135–142.
Gregory KE,
Cundiff LV, Koch RM
(1995) Genetic and phenotypic (co)variances for production traits of female populations of purebred and composite beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 73, 2235–2242.
| PubMed |
Hammond AC, Olson TA
(1994) Rectal temperature and grazing time in selected beef cattle breeds under tropical summer conditions in subtropical Florida. Tropical Agriculture 71, 128–134.
Kreiner HA,
Casey NH,
van Zyl JGE, Coertze RJ
(1991) Growth and efficiency of young Brahman, Bonsmara and Drakensberger bulls. South African Journal of Animal Science 21, 201–203.
Lademann EE, Schoeman SJ
(1994) Factors influencing recalving rate in lactating beef cows in the sweet dry bushveld of northern Transvaal. South African Journal of Animal Science 24, 30–33.
Light D,
Buck NG, Lethola LL
(1982) The reproductive performance, mothering ability and productivity of crossbred and Tswana beef cows in Botswana. Animal Production 35, 421–426.
Mackinnon MJ,
Hetzel DJS, Taylor JF
(1989) Genetic and environmental effects on the fertility of beef cattle in a tropical environment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 40, 1085–1097.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mackinnon MJ,
Corbet NJ,
Meyer K,
Burrow HM,
Bryan RP, Hetzel DJS
(1991) Genetic parameters for testosterone response to GnRH stimulation and scrotal circumference in tropical beef bulls. Livestock Production Science 29, 297–309.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maiwashe AN,
Bradfield MJ,
Theron HE, Van Wyk JB
(2002) Genetic parameter estimates for body measurements and growth traits in South African Bonsmara cattle. Livestock Production Science 75, 293–300.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newman S,
Burrow HM,
Shepherd RK, Bindon BM
(1999a) Carcass yield traits of grass- and grain-finished Brahman crosses for domestic and export markets. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 13, 231–234.
Newman S,
Burrow HM,
Shepherd RK, Bindon BM
(1999b) Meat quality traits of grass- and grain-finished Brahman crosses for domestic and export markets. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 13, 235–238.
Newsholme SJ,
Verster AJM, Jacobs JC
(1983) Bovine skin lesions of possible filarial origin associated with heavy hornfly infestations (Haematobia meridiana). Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 50, 73–75.
| PubMed |
Nix JM,
Spitzer JC,
Grimes LW,
Burns GL, Plyler BB
(1998) A retrospective analysis of factors contributing to calf mortality and dystocia in beef cattle. Theriogenology 49, 1515–1523.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Norval RAI,
Sutherst RW,
Jorgensen OG,
Gibson JD, Kerr JD
(1989) The effect of the bont tick (Amblyomma hebraeum) on the weight gain of Africander steers. Veterinary Parasitology 33, 329–341.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Oliveira HN,
Lobo R, Pereira CS
(1994) Relationships among growth curve parameters, weights and reproductive traits in Guzera beef cows. Proceedings of the 5th world congress on genetics applied to livestock production 19, 189–192.
Peiris H,
Elliot R,
Hales JW, Norton BW
(1995) Alternative management strategies for maximising productivity in beef cattle in the subtropics. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 35, 317–324.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rechav Y, Kostrzewski MW
(1991) Relative resistance of six cattle breeds to the tick Boophilus decoloratus in South Africa. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 58, 181–186.
| PubMed |
Reverter A,
Johnston DJ,
Ferguson DM,
Perry D,
Goddard ME,
Burrow HM,
Oddy VH,
Thompson JM, Bindon BM
(2003) Genetic and phenotypic characterisation of animal, carcass, and meat quality traits from temperate and tropically adapted beef breeds. 4. Correlations among animal, carcass, and meat quality traits. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 149–158.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rudder TH,
Bean KG,
Lapworth JW, Seifert GW
(1976) Commercial evaluation of a tropical breed developed experimentally. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 11, 89–92.
Schoeman SJ, Jordaan GG
(1998) Animal testing environment interaction on postweaning liveweight gains of young bulls. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 607–612.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scholtz MM,
Spickett AM,
Lombard PE, Enslin CB
(1991) The effect of tick infestation on the productivity of cows of three breeds of cattle. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 58, 71–74.
| PubMed |
Schroder J
(1979) The seasonal incidence of helminth parasites of cattle in the Northern Transvaal Bushveld. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 50, 23–27.
| PubMed |
Seebeck RM
(1973) Sources of variation in the fertility of a herd of zebu, British and zebu × British cattle in Northern Australia. Journal of Agricultural Science, UK 81, 253–262.
Seifert GW
(1971) Ecto- and endoparasitic effects on the growth rates of Zebu crossbred and British cattle in the field. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 22, 839–850.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Seifert GW
(1984) Selection of beef cattle in northern Australia for resistance to the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus): research and application. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2, 553–558.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Seifert GW,
Hetzel DJS,
Ronchietto P, Hofmeyr JH
(1985) A preliminary note on a comparison of Belmont Red and Bonsmara cattle in the Republic of South Africa. Proceedings of the Australian Association of Animal Breeding and Genetics 5, 160–161.
Seifert GW,
Bosman DJ,
Hofmeyr JH,
Ronchietto P, Aspden WJ
(1988) Comparison of Belmont Red and Bonsmara cattle in the Republic of South Africa: an update. Proceedings of the Australian Association of Animal Breeding and Genetics 7, 484–487.
Spickett AM,
De Klerk D,
Enslin CB, Scholtz MM
(1989) Resistance of Nguni, Bonsmara and Hereford cattle to ticks in a bushveld region of South Africa. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 56, 245–250.
| PubMed |
Strydom PE,
Naude RT,
Smith MF,
Scholtz MM, van Wyk JB
(2000a) Characterisation of indigenous African cattle breeds in relation to carcass characteristics. Animal Science 70, 241–252.
Strydom PE,
Naude RT,
Smith MF,
Scholtz MM, van Wyk JB
(2000b) Characterisation of indigenous African cattle breeds in relation to meat quality traits. Meat Science 55, 79–88.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Strydom PE,
Naude RT,
Smith MF,
Kotze A,
Scholtz MM, van Wyk JB
(2001) Relationships between production and product traits in subpopulations of Bonsmara and Nguni cattle. South African Journal of Animal Science 31, 181–194.
Thompson JM
(2002) Managing meat tenderness. Meat Science 62, 295–308.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tierney TJ,
Wythes JR,
Powell EE,
Crotty KJ,
Shorthose WR, Rudder TH
(1986) Liveweight gains and carcass traits of high grade Simmental, Hereford, Africander × Hereford and Brahman × Hereford feedlot yearling steers. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 26, 651–657.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tierney TJ,
Burns BM,
Mayer DG,
Esdale CR, Webber RJ
(1992a) Productivity of Hereford, highgrade Simmental and Belmont Red beef herds in central Queensland. 5. Liveweights and carcase traits of steers. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 1017–1022.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tierney TJ,
Rudder TH,
Webber RJ,
Burns BM,
Knights PT, Howitt CJ
(1992b) Productivity of Hereford, highgrade Simmental and Belmont Red beef herds in central Queensland. 2. Liveweight of the breeding herd and progeny up to weaning. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 559–562.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Trail JCM,
Buck NG,
Light D,
Rennie TW,
Rutherford A,
Miller M,
Pratchett D, Capper BS
(1977) Productivity of Africander, Tswana, Tuli and crossbred beef cattle in Botswana. Animal Production 24, 57–62.
Tsotetsi AM, Mbati PA
(2003) Parasitic helminths of veterinary importance in cattle, sheep and goats on communal farms in the northeastern Free State, South Africa. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 74, 45–48.
| PubMed |
Turner HG
(1972) Selection of beef cattle for tropical Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal 48, 162–166.
| PubMed |
Turner HG, Short AJ
(1972) Effects of field infestation of gastrointestinal helminths and of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) on growth of three breeds of cattle. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 23, 177–193.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vercoe JE,
Frisch JE, Moran JB
(1972) Apparent digestibility, nitrogen utilization, water metabolism and heat tolerance of Brahman cross, Africander cross and Shorthorn × Hereford steers. The Journal of Agricultural Science 79, 71–74.
Yavas Y, Walton JS
(2000) Postpartum acyclicity in suckled beef cows: a review. Theriogenology 54, 25–55.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
