A comparison of reproductive and growth traits of horned and polled cattle in three synthetic beef lines

Abstract

The data for the study were obtained over an 11-yr period and the number of observations varied from 2663 to 4263 depending on the trait that was studied. The objective was to compare the reproduction and growth traits of genetically horned and polled cattle in three synthetic lines of beef cattle. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between horned and polled cattle in all lines for pregnancy, calving and weaning rates, calf birth and weaning weights, calf preweaning average daily gains, dystocia score, cow weights and cow condition scores at calf birth and calf weaning. We advocate the use of polled cattle for breeding, which is a welfare friendly alternative and circumvents the need for dehorning.