Comparison of maternal performance of reciprocal crossbred cows

Abstract

Maternal performance of reciprocal two-breed cross cows between Angus, Herefords and Shorthorns was compared in 249 matings over a four year period. These cows were mated to bulls of the same three breeds to produce three-breed and baekcross calvea. Shorthorn x Angus cows (sire breed first) weaned l7.S~ fewer calve. and Hereford x Angus cows 10.31 fewer calves than their respective reciprocal crosses. Thete differencea while large were not statistically significant presumably due to the small numbers involved. There was little difference between Shorthorn x Hereford and Hereford x Shorthorn cows in percentage calf crop_ The calves from Shorthorn x Angua cows were significantly heavier at birth than the calves from their reciprocals. Birth weight differences of calves from the other two sets of rec1proc41 eros. cows were not significantly different. Differences in average daily gain from birth to weaning were highly significant in calves from Angus x Hereford cows over calves from Hereford x Angus cows as well as Shorthorn x Hereford over Hereford x Shorthorn. The third set of reCiprocal crossea, Angus x Shorthorn versus Shorthorn x Hereford, did not show significant differences in average daily gains.