Relationship Between Calf Birth Weight and Dam's Subsequent 200- and 305-Day Yields of Milk, Fat, and Total Solids in Holsteins

Abstract

Relationships between calf birth weight and the dam's subsequent 200- and 305-day yields of milk, fat, and total solids were investigated in a total of 1471 calvings from two experimental stations and 28 yr. Independent variables included in least-squares analyses were year of calving, sex of calf, and linear and quadratic effects of age of cow and calf birth weight. Sex of calf had no significant effect on any yield variable. Effects of age of cow and year of calving were significant and positive on all measures of yield. The relationship between calf birth weight and each yield measure was linear and positive for calf birth weights between 23 and 50 kg. Expected differences in 200-day yields of milk, fat, and solids were 15.2, 11.0, and 18.8% higher for 50 kg calf birth weight as compared to 30 kg calf birth weight. Corresponding differences in 305-day milk, fat, and solids were 9.4, 4.5, and 11.8%. Thus, yields of milk, fat, and solids in Holsteins increase with increasing calf birth weight. © 1981, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.