Virginia Agricultural Experiment StationGaines, James A.Hill, C.McClure, William H.2015-08-072015-08-071985http://hdl.handle.net/10919/56292The second phase of a long-term beef cattle crossbreeding experiment involving the Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn breeds was conducted at the Shenandoah Valley Research Station, Steeles Tavern, Virginia. Records of 604 matings and 567 births from 120 cows were collected over five successive calf crops. Comparisons were made between crossbred and straightbred dams, backcross and three-breed cross calves, three breeds of straightbred cows, six kinds of crossbred cows, various combinations within the backcross and three-breed cross calves, and the general combining abilities of the three breeds. Calves from crossbred cows were heavier at birth and weaning, and had higher weaning grades. Crossbred cows were 31.9 kg heavier than straightbred cows. There were 2.0% more calves born, but 0.2% fewer calves weaned from the crossbred cows. Crossbred cows weaned more kg of calf per year, but fewer units of calf per 100 units of cow, and fewer units of calf per 100 units of cow per cow year. There were increases of three-breed cross over backcross calves for all measures of growth, leading to the conclusion that three-breed crossing would increase production over backcrossing. Differences existed among the three breeds of cows for every calf performance trait, and for cow weight. Differences were found among the kinds of crossbred cows for all calf traits. Crossbred cows out of Hereford dams excelled over the reciprocal matings. The breeds did not differ in general combining ability.vii, 32 pagesapplication/pdfen-USVirginia Agricultural Experiment Station materials are available for public use, re-print, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and Virginia Tech.S123 .E22HeterosisBeef cattle -- BreedingExtension publication12714267