The breed of dam by sex of calf interaction effect on beef cattle weaning weight and cow efficiency

Abstract

A portion of a data set reported on in a previous paper was combined with additional data to evaluate the effects of dam breed × calf sex interaction and other sources of variation on beef cattle weaning weight and cow–calf efficiency of feed utilization. Within the Angus × Hereford dam group, the sex difference (male minus female calf) was 8.4% for weaning weight and 8.1% for efficiency ratio (calf weaning weight divided by dam and calf total digestible nutrients). Within the Simmental × Hereford group, the sex difference was 15.5% for weaning weight and 12.3% for efficiency ratio. Key words: Weaning weight, cow efficiency, beef cattle