Comparison of growth traits of eight beef cattle breeds in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Abstract. Eight beef cattle breeds, Angus (A), Blonde d' Aquitaine (BA), Charolais (C), Czech Pied (CP), Hereford (H), Limousin (L), Piemontese (P) and Simmental (S), were analysed for the following calf traits: birth weight (BW), 210- and 365-day weight ( 210W, 365W) and average daily gains from birth to 210 days (ADG1), from 210 to 365 days (ADG2) and from birth to 365 days (ADG3). Phenotypic parameters were estimated by linear model procedures including the fixed effects of year of birth (1992–1998), herd, sex (male, female), calf number (single, twin), parity and random sire effects. Literature values of heritability estimates were used to derive genetic standard deviations and genetic range for comparison of genetic variation within and between breeds. The means of Blonde d' Aquitaine were highest for all growth traits except for BW, followed by Charolais and Simmental, then Angus, Czech Pied and Limousin with intermediate values and Piemontese and Hereford with lowest growth except for BW in Piemontese and ADG1 in Hereford. Blonde d' Aquitaine also showed high standard deviations for most growth traits except for BW, whereas for Limousin and Piemontese low standard deviations were estimated and for other breeds no consistent pattern was observed. Coefficients of variation were generally high for Hereford and low for Angus. Hypothetical frequency curves were used for comparison of genetic variation within breeds and between breeds. Comparison of extreme and average breeds showed ranges of genetic levels between 79 and 154 % of the average breed level thus indicating the large overall genetic variation for growth traits in beef cattle. Between-breed selection with immediate impact, but steady erosion by time, as well as within-breed selection with slow but steady increase and renewed variation should both be applied for optimal exploitation of genetic resources in the beef industry.

Factors affecting growth traits of beef cattle breeds raised inSlovakia

“…These findings were in agreement with results reported by Dymnicki et al (1996) and Dadi et al (2002). Similarly, Jakubec et al (2003) reported high weights and average daily gains for Blonde d'Aquitaine, Charolais and BS calves that were higher in comparison with calves raised in Slovakia (except for birth weights). Říha et al (2001) found out the highest beef traits for Charolais calves.…”

“…Goyache et al (2003) reported the highest weaning weight for calves descending from 7-11 years old cows (calving 5-9). This is in agreement with findings of Říha et al (1999) and Jakubec et al (2003). Except for birth weight, Přibyl et al (2003) reported highest weights and fastest growth for calves of 5-7 years old dams.…”

“…These results are in partial accordance with findings about differences between beef breeds raised in Slovakia even though the differences reported by Přibyl et al (2003) were larger. Results reported for sex effect correspond with those of Říha et al (1999), Jakubec et al (2003) and Goyache et al (2003). When birth weights of calves raised in Slovakia were compared, both males-singles and males-twins had higher birth weights than females-singles and females-twins.…”

“…Variance ratios for effects of sex (almost 6%), breed (2.2%) and dam's age (2.2%) as well as HYS effect (almost 72%) were similar to those reported by Jakubec et al (2003). Higher variance ratios of HYS effect may be due to a high number of herds involved in the analyses and high herd variability in both management practice and regional conditions.…”

Growth curve analysis for body weight and dry matter intake in Friesian, Limousin x Friesian and Piemontese x Friesian cattle

“…Piemontese and Limousin breeds had been evaluated for crossing on Friesian dairy cows in several European countries (MCGUIRK et al, 1998;JACUBEC et al, 2003). In majority of these studies, Piemontese progeny out of Friesian cows had a higher growth rate than Limousin (HRÛSKA 1993;GRUNDY et al, 2000).…”