Journal article
Divergent genotypes for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 3. Performance of mature cows
Animal Production Science, Vol.58(1), pp.55-66
2016
Abstract
This experiment evaluated the productivity of 500 Angus cows that differed in genetic merit for either subcutaneous rib fat depth (Fat) or residual feed intake (RFI) based on estimated breeding values (EBVs) and managed under two levels of nutrition. Reproductive rate over four calving opportunities in mature cows and growth performance of progeny to weaning was assessed. Level of nutrition significantly affected all body composition traits for both Fat and RFI line cows. Cows on High-Nutrition were 14–16% heavier (P < 0.001) than those on Low-Nutrition. Differences in EBVs for fatness were reflected in phenotypic fatness at maturity. High-RFI line cows were fatter for both scanned rump (P8) and rib (RIB) fat depth relative to their Low-RFI contemporaries. Of those cows that were lactating, there was no significant effect of line or nutrition on pregnancy rate or days to calving (DC). There was, however, a trend (P < 0.1) in the Low-Fat line cows towards longer DC compared with the High-Fat line cows. There was no significant effect of either line or nutrition on calf birthweight. Calves with mothers on High-Nutrition were 8% heavier at weaning (P < 0.001) than those on Low-Nutrition. Lower EBVs for RFI was associated with higher 200-day growth EBV and heavier calves at weaning. Current carcass BREEDPLAN EBVs can be used to select for changes in cow body composition if desired. In this experiment, Angus cows selected for lower RFI or with below-average fatness EBV and had raised a calf at every previous opportunity were not compromised in pregnancy rate or DC at maturity under varying nutrition such as can be experienced during normal seasonal conditions in southern Australia. However, selection for lower RFI was associated with lower weaning rate (P < 0.05), which warrants further investigation to confidently predict the implications for commercial cattle production.
Details
- Title
- Divergent genotypes for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 3. Performance of mature cows
- Authors/Creators
- K.J. Copping (Author/Creator) - South Australian Research and Development InstituteJ.M. Accioly (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesM.P.B. Deland (Author/Creator) - South Australian Research and Development InstituteN.J. Edwards (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesJ F. Graham (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesM.L. Hebart (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesR.M. Herd (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesF.M. Jones (Author/Creator)M. Laurence (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesS.J. Lee (Author/Creator)E.J. Speijers (Author/Creator) - Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic TechnologiesW.S. Pitchford (Author/Creator) - The University of Adelaide
- Publication Details
- Animal Production Science, Vol.58(1), pp.55-66
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005541214507891
- Copyright
- © 2017 CSIRO
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences
- 3.51.115 Livestock Reproduction
- Web Of Science research areas
- Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
- ESI research areas
- Agricultural Sciences