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Title: INFLUENCE OF COW PARITY AND GENETIC POTENTIAL FOR MILK PRODUCTION ON FORAGE INTAKE OF BRANGUS FEMALES DURING LATE LACTATION.

Author
item SANDELIN, B - UNIV. ARKANSAS
item BROWN, A - UNIV. ARKANSAS
item BROWN, MICHAEL
item JOHNSON, Z - UNIV. ARKANSAS
item STELZLENI, A - UNIV. ARKANSAS

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2002
Publication Date: 11/30/2002
Citation: SANDELIN, B.A., BROWN, A.H., BROWN, M.A., JOHNSON, Z.B., STELZLENI, A.M. INFLUENCE OF COW PARITY AND GENETIC POTENTIAL FOR MILK PRODUCTION ON FORAGE INTAKE OF BRANGUS FEMALES DURING LATE LACTATION.. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. 2002. v. 80(Suppl.1): Abstract p. 11.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Maternal performance of Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal cross cows grazing either common bermudagrass or endophyte-infected tall fescue were evaluated over a 4-yr period. The growth curve parameters of mature weight (A) and rate of maturing (k) were estimated for 177 cows using the growth curve model as described by Brody. Cows were assigned to one of four biological types: genetic potential for large mature size-late maturing (LL, A > 583 kg, k < 0.045%), large mature size-early maturing (LE, A > 583 kg, k > 0.045%), small mature size-late maturing (SL, A < 583 kg, k < 0.045%), and small mature size-early maturing (SE, A < 583 kg, k > 0.045%). Measurements on 374 calves over the 4-yr period included: birth weight, weaning weight and weaning height. Distribution of calf measurements by biological type included: LL (n =98), LE (n = 52), SL (n = 78), and SE (n = 146). Included in the linear models for birth weight, weaning weight, weaning height and weaning weight:weaning height ratio were the independent variables of forage, biological type, calf birth year, age of dam, significant interactions and residual error. Forage was a significant (P < 0.05) source of variation for all reported traits. Age of dam was significant (P < 0.05) for weight:height ratio only. The interaction of biological type x forage was significant (P < 0.05) for all traits with the exception of weight:height ratio. These data suggest that the interaction of biological type and forage may have an effect on maternal performance.