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Title: EVALUATION OF BORAN, TULI, GELBVIEH, AND BRAHMAN F1 CROSSES IN OKLAHOMA

Author
item Phillips, William
item WETTEMANN, R - OKLA.STATE EXP. STATION
item HOLLOWAY, J - TEXAS A&M EXP. STATION
item Coleman, Samuel

Submitted to: American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/2004
Publication Date: 2/7/2005
Citation: Phillips, W.A., Wettemann, R.P., Holloway, J.W., Coleman, S.W. 2005. Evaluation of Boran, Tuli, Gelbvieh, and Brahman F1 crosses in Oklahoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of American Society of Animal Science, Southern Section Meeting. Symposium on Tropically Adapted Breeds - Regional Project S-10-13, February 5-9, 2005, Little Rock, Arkansas. p. 29.

Interpretive Summary: ABSTRACT ONLY

Technical Abstract: Genetic adaptation to tropical conditions is an important component of cow/calf breeding systems used in the Southern Great Plains region. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate F1 calves sired by new tropically adapted beef breeds (Boran and Tuli) and compare them to commonly used breeds (Brahman and Gelbvieh) and the productivity of the F1 females resulting from these crosses under typical Oklahoma beef management practices. Angus and Angus x Hereford cows were bred by AI to Boran, Tuli, Brahman or Gelbvieh bulls in the spring (1991 through 1994) to produce F1 calves (N=173). Tuli-sired calves were lighter (P < 0.01) at birth (35.4 kg) than Boran- (39.9 kg), Gelbvieh- (39.6 kg), and Brahman-sired (41.4 kg) calves. Brahman-sired calves were heavier (P < 0.01; 223 kg) at weaning (205 d) than Boran- (203 kg), Tuli- (196 kg), and Gelbvieh-sired (210 kg) calves. Preweaning ADG was also greater (P < 0.01) for the Brahman-sired calves as compared to the other three sire breeds (0.89 kg vs 0.80 kg). Subsequent performance of the F1 females were observed for 6 calving cycles. A total of 276 observations were made. Calves from Boran-, Tuli-, and Brahman-sired cows were lighter (P < 0.01) at birth than calves from Gelbvieh-sired cows (36.8 kg vs 40.9 kg). Calves from Brahman- and Boran-sired cows had similar BW and were heavier (P < 0.01) at weaning than calves from Tuli- and Gelbvieh-sired cows (231 kg vs 210 kg). Average BW of cows sired by Brahman bulls was greater (P < 0.01) than the BW of cows sired by Boran and Tuli bulls (566 kg vs 501 kg). Boran-sired cows weaned more calf as a percentage of BW than cows sired by Brahman, Tuli and Gelbvieh bulls (45% vs 42%). Tuli sired cows were smaller, but produced as much calf per 100 kg of BW as Brahman-sired cows. Boran-sired cows were moderate in BW and produced more calf per 100 kg of BW than any of the sire breeds evaluated.