Effect of Dam Age on Offspring Productivity

Authors

Aline G. da Silva, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jacqueline A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John Nollette Nollette, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Andy Applegarth, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rick N. Funston, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Comments

© The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Records collected from 1997 to 2014 were analyzed to evaluate the effects of dam age on off spring productivity. Steer calves born from young mothers (2 and 3 yr old dams) had lighter carcasses with more carcasses grading Choice and upper 2/3 Choice. Th e calving performance and reproductive performance in the second breeding season for heifer calves born from first calving dams were the lowest compared with heifers born from multiparous dams. A quadratic effect of dam age on off spring performance was observed; as dam age increased, off spring performance increased, until dam age reached 7 to 8 yr and then off spring performance decreased.