Feed Requirements for Maintenance and Lactation of F₁ Cows Representing Diverse Biological Types

Authors

Larry D. Cundiff, U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterFollow
Calvin L. Ferrell, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Thomas G. Jenkins, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Date of this Version

1985

Document Type

Article

Comments

Published in Beef Research Program Progress Report (1985) No. 2: 31-32

Abstract

There are significant differences in weaning weight per cow exposed to breeding among F₁ cow breed groups. (See "Characterization of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Reproduction and Maternal Performance of F₁ Cows" elsewhere in this report.) These differences are associated with variation among breeds in reproduction, milk production, and growth rate of progeny. Also, there are significant differences among F₁ cows in mature weight. Heavier mature weight is associated with more rapid growth rate of progeny, and heavier weights increase output per cow from the production system when cows are sold. However, it also increases the nutrient requirements per cow for maintenance. Thus, it is important to quantify production inputs as well as outputs in order to characterize genetic variation in efficiency of production. The present study was conducted to estimate feed requirements for maintenance and lactation and to estimate biological efficiency (output/input) differences among F₁ cows representing diverse biological types.