Effect of Breed Type, Sex Birth Year and Season of Birth and Their Interactions on Liveweight Change in Beef Cattle

Authors : Yalçin Bozkurt

Pages : 125-140

View : 4 | Download : 16

Publication Date : 1996-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was designed to examine main and interaction effects of breed type, sex, birth year and season on liveweight change in beff cattle as a represantative 18-Month commercial beef system. The study involved 351 animals in total (82 strees, 132 heifers and 137 bulls) which were either slaughtered or sold at mean liveweight of 380 and 280 kg. respectively. The breeds used were Limousins (145); Herefords (90), Friesians (72), Welsh Blacks (22) and Belgian Blues (22). Mean age of animals was 17 months old and there were 154 and 189 spring and autummn born animals. The animal data included the records belonging to years from 1985 to 1988, which were recorded at the University of Wales, university farm, Bangor, UK. The results obtained by using least-squares analysis showed that there were significant (P < 0.05) differences between breeds for liveweight. Belgian Blues were superior (355 kg) and Welsh Blacks (310 kg) were inferior to other breeds while Limousinis (321 kg), Herefords (327 kg) and Friesinas (329 kg) were almost similar. Whilst age had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on liveweight there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences in sex groups. Autumn-born animals (350 kg) were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than those born in spring (306 kg). Significant (P < 0.05) differences in liveweight were also found between the data recorded years. The liveweights of the animals increased significantly each year from 1985 to 1988, from 263 to 388 kg respectively. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) interactions were found between birth season x sex, birth year x sex and breed x birth season.
Keywords : Beef cattle, liveweight, breed and sex, birth year and season