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Life Cycle Efficiency of Beef Production: I. Cow Efficiency Ratios

for Progeny Weaned

Article  in  Journal of Animal Science · November 1983

DOI: 10.2527/jas1983.574832x · Source: PubMed

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 Life Cycle Efficiency of Beef Production: I. Cow Efficiency
Ratios for Progeny Weaned
M. E. Davis, J. J. Rutledge, L. V. Cundiff and E. R. Hauser

J ANIM SCI 1983, 57:832-851.

The online version of this article, along with updated information and
services, is located on the World Wide Web at:
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 LIFE CYCLE EFFICIENCY OF BEEF PRODUCTION:
I. COW EFFICIENCY RATIOS FOR PROGENY WEANED 1,~,3

M. E. Davis4, J. J. Rutledge s, L. V. Cundiff 6 and E. R. Hauser s

University of Wisconsin, Madison 53 706 and

US Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933

Summary
Weights and individual feed consumption
collected on 160 beef, dairy and beef x dairy
dams and their progeny were used to estimate
several measures of lifetime cow efficiency.
Dams were fed either ~2 high or a low energy
diet. Efficiency was expressed as the ratio of
outputs to inputs. Outputs included progeny
weaning weights plus cow salvage weight, and
inputs were progeny creep feed consumption
plus the dam's'lifetime feed consumption. In
the first approach, life cycle cow efficiency was
estimated by expressing weight output as a
ratio to feed inputs when weights and feed con-
sumptions were weighted by their probabilities;
probabilities were a function of age distribution
and percentage calf crop in a theoretical herd
consisting of 100 cows and 20 yearling replace-
ment heifers. In the second approach, actual
lifetime cow efficiency was estimated by ex-
pressing weight outputs as a ratio to feed inputs
when all components were weighted equally.
Both approaches included efficiency estimates
calculated with and without cow salvage value.
Dams receiving low energy diets generally had
lifetime efficiencies equal or superior to those
fed high energy diets in spite of older ages at
calving. Dams on the high energy diet had
greater salvage value, but did not wean calves of
sufficient additional size to offset their own
increased metabolizable energy (ME) intake.
Dam breeds and breed crosses of smaller size
tended to be more efficient than those of large
size, demonstrating the effectiveness of mating
small dams to large sire breeds for improving
cow efficiency. Breeds calving at later ages were
less efficient. Efficiency ratios improved as
number of progeny weaned increased.
(Key Words: Beef Cows, Efficiency, Lifetime
Production, Diet, Mating System.)

I ntroduction
xDept. of Meat and Anim. Sci. Paper No. 799. Efficiency of weaning calf production is a
Research was supported by the College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, and major factor affecting efficiency of life cycle
the Agr. Res. Service, USDA. Semen was donated by production systems. Due to the cost of ob-
American Breeders Service, DeForest, WI; American taining individual feed consumption data for
Int. Charolais Assoc., Houston, TX; Carnation dams and their progeny, studies involving cow
Genetics, Hughson, CA; Curtiss Breeding Service, Gary, efficiency have been limited. Most experiments
IL; East Central Breeders Coop., Waupun, WI; Mid-
west Breeders Coop., Shawano, WI; Noba, Inc., Tiffin, related to cow efficiency have examined cow-
OH and Tri State Breeders Coop., Westby, WI. calf efficiency on a yearly, rather than a life-
~The experiments were contributions to North time, basis (Carpenter et al., 1972; Holloway et
Central Regional Project NC-1, "The Improvement of al., 1975b; Marshall et al., 1976; Bowden,
Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods." 1980). It is desirable to determine the factors
3The authors wish to thank Ms. J. Busby and Ms.
S. Kading for typing this manuscript and Messrs. E. that affect the efficiency of calf production
Hoch, P. Bringle and J. Kane for their excellent tech- over the entire lifetime of the beef cow and the
nical assistance. relative importance of those factors. In the
4 Present address: Anita. Sci. Dept., The Ohio State present study, four measures of cow efficiency
Univ., Columbus 43210.
s Dept. of Meat and Anita. Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin, were examined.
Madison 53706.
6Roman L. Hruska U. S. Meat Animal Research Materials and Methods
Center, ARS, USDA, Clay Center, NE 68933.
Received June 17, 1982. Source o f Data. Data were collected between
Accepted March 1, 1983. 1953 and 1980 from identical and fraternal
832
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, Vol. 57, No. 4, 1983

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 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS
twin females born in 1953, 1954, 1959, 1964
and 1969, and from crossbred females born as
singles in 1974, and their progeny (Christian
et al., 1965; Kress et al., 1969, 1971a,b,c;
Hohenboken et al., 1972, 1973;Towner, 1975;
Baik, 1980). Numbers of dams that weaned at
least one calf and were included in the first
analysis (analysis I) were 37, 45 and 56 in the
1964, 1969 and 1974 data sets, respectively.
Respective numbers of dams that Weaned three
calves and were included in a second analysis
(analysis II) were 6, 8, 8, 22, 33 and 33 in the
1953, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969 and 1974
experiments. The 1953, 1954 and 1959 twins
were included only in analysis II, because in
these data sets, feed consumption was available
only for those dams completing three lacta-
tions. All females born through 1964 were
straightbred Herefords with the exception of
four sets of twins born in 1964 that were
Hereford crosses (one twin set each of Hereford
• Guernsey, Hereford • Shorthorn, Hereford x
Holstein and Hereford x Brown Swiss
breeding). Data on dams born in 1969 included
records on 17 Herefords, two Hereford-
Shorthorn crosses, two Hereford-Charolais
crosses and 24 Holsteins, while the 1974
females consisted of 14 Hereford • Holstein,
14 Angus x Holstein, 15 Simmental x Holstein
and 13 Chianina • Holstein crossbreds.
Feeding and Management Systems. All
females were purchased in North Central states
at ages ranging from 8 to 224 d. Ages when
placed on the experiment were 240 d for the
1953, 1954 and 1959 twins, 210 d for the
1964 and 1969 twins and 168 d for the 1974
crossbreds. Females were assigned randomly
to individual self-feeders where they were tied
twice daily. Diets differed for the 1953, 1954
and 1959 birth year groups, but the same diet
was fed to all females within a group (Christian
et al., 1965). Females purchased in 1964, 1969
and 1974 were assigned randomly to either high
(diet 1) or low (diet 2) energy diets. Females on
the high energy diet received a chopped mixed
hay and concentrate diet, while those on the
low energy diet were fed chopped mixed hay.
Composition of the diets changed at various
ages with estimated total digestible nutrients
(TDN) in diet 1 ranging from 63.0 to 66.4% in
the 1964 experiment and from 54.3 to 66.4%
in the 1969 and 1974 experiments (Kress et al.,
1971b; Towner, 1975; Balk, 1980). Estimated
TDN in diet 2 varied from 50.3 to 52.4%. Diets
always included adequate protein. Minerals
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833
were fed free choice. Individual feed consump-
tion was measured at 28-d intervals from the
time females were placed on the experiment
until three calves were weaned or the dams had
reached 5 y r of age.
Procedures described by Kress et al. (1969)
were utilized to predict the feed consumed by
~the dams from birth to 240 d of age. Mega-
calories (Meal) of metabolizable energy (ME)
in the milk plus creep feed consumed by
female progeny in the current study from birth
to 240 d of age were regressed on 240-d weight.
This regression was used to estimate the feed
consumption of the dams before 240 d age:
DF0ij =/-/i + 3i (DW0ij -- PWi), (1)
where
DF0i j = Meal of ME consumed by the jth
dam of the ith breed combination
before 240 d age,
gti = mean ME consumption of female
progeny of the ith breed combina-
tion from milk plus creep feed,
DWoiI = weight o f jth dam of the ith breed
combination at 240 d of age,
PWi = mean 240-d weight of female
progeny of the ith breed combina-
tion,
3i = regression of ME consumption of
female progeny of the ith breed
combination on their 240-d weight.
A separate prediction equation was used for
each population 'of dams (table 1). Herefords
and Hereford • beef cows were grouped as one
population, while Hereford • dairy cows were
grouped as a second population due to the
small numbers of cows within these breed com-
binations.
Male progeny were castrated shortly after
birth. Progeny of the 1953, 1954 and 1959
twins were assigned randomly to individual
self-feeders at 60 d o f age, while remaining pro-
geny began receiving creep feed at 28 d of age.
Ad libitum individual feed consumption of pro-
geny was recorded by 28-d periods from 60 to
240 d of age.
Dams and their progeny were weighed at
28-d intervals and wither heights were taken for
dams and progeny every 56 d. Dams also were
weighed and measured for wither height within
12 h after parturition. All weaning weights of
progeny were adjusted to a 240-d basis using
834
the equation: [(actual weaning weight - birth
weight)/weaning age] x 240 + birth weight.
Wither heights of progeny at 240 d of age and
weights and wither heights of dams at 240 d
of age and at 240 d after each calving were ob-
tained by linear interpolation for animals not
measured at those times.
Previous research (Carpenter et al., 1972;
Marshall et al., 1976; Wagner, 1978) has shown
that cows weaning male calves tend to be more
efficient than those with female progeny.
Therefore, all progeny weights and feed con-
sumptions in the present study were adjusted
for sex using additive adjustment factors. A
linear model containing the fixed effects of
breed, year-diet-group (see statistical analysis
section for explanation of this variable), parity
and sex was used to obtain least-squares means
for weaning weights and feed consumptions of
the two sexes. It was assumed that 5% of male
progeny and 50% of female progeny would be
saved as replacements in a theoretical herd.
Therefore, of all calves available for sale at
weaning, 65.5% would be male and 34.5%
would be female. The differences in least-squares
means between male and female calves for
weaning weight was 24.5 kg, and the male
minus female difference for Mcal of ME from
creep feed was 132.9 Mcal. For each male calf,
34.5% of these constants was subtracted from
weaning weight and feed consumption records;
and for each female calf, 65.5% of the con-
stants was added to the records, to achieve
adjustment of records, on a life cycle basis, for
sex of calf.
Twin females were bred at the first observed
estrus after 15 mo of age and at each succeed-
ing estrus until conception occurred. Crossbred
TABLE 1. ESTIMATED PARAMETERS USED IN PREDICTION EQUATIONS FOR
FEED CONSUMPTION (METABOLIZABLE ENERGY, ME) OF DAMS
FROM BIRTH TO 240 DAYS OF AGE
Breed
Hereford, Hereford • Shorthorn,
Hereford • Charolais
Hereford X Holstein, Hereford •
Guernsey, Hereford • Brown Swiss
Holstein
Angus X Holstein
Simmental • Holstein
Chianina • Holstein
a
Regression of ME consumption of female progeny on their 240-d weight (PW).
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DAVIS ETAL.
females purchased in 1974 were bred at first
detected estrus (puberty) and at each subse-
quent estrus until pregnant. Following each
calving, all dams were bred at first estrus and at
each subsequent estrus until conception
occurred.
The 1953 and 1954 dams were all mated to
the same Hereford bull to produce all three
calves. The 1959 twins were artificially insemi-
nated using eight Hereford bulls chosen at
random from several bull studs, while the 1964
twins were bred artificially to one of four
Polled Hereford bulls. Four Holstein bulls were
used to artificially inseminate the 1969
Hereford twins. Holstein twins of the same year
were mated artificially to one of four Hereford
bulls. All matings in the 1974 experiment were
monogamous, with first calves being offspring
of one of 56 Jersey bulls and second and third
calves resulting from insemination with semen
from one of 56 Charolais bulls.
Length of lactation was 240 d in all cases,
with the exception of the 1974 crossbred dams
whose progeny were weaned at 224 d of age.
During each lactation, milk production was esti-
mated by either machine or hand milking one-
half of the udder while the progeny nursed the
other one-half. Estimates of milk production
and percentage butterfat taken at least monthly
were used to compute milk production adjusted
to a 4% butterfat equivalent (Morrison, 1959):
4% fat corrected milk production -- 15 (butter-
fat production)"+ .4 (milk production). Milk
production of the 1974 crossbreds was ex-
tended from a 224-d lactation to a 240-d lacta-
tion using ratio adjustment factors as described
by Rutledge et al. (1972). The mean ratio of
240-d milk production to 224-d milk produc-
/~, Mcal ME fla P-W,kg
1,902 9.49 234
2,117 5.24 267
2,784 11.03 302
2,232 6.43 272
2,306 5.56 294
2,297 5.84 305
 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 835

T A B L E 2. DEFINITION OF SYMBOLS A N D ACRONYMS

Item Definition

PW~, PW2, PW 3 Progeny weights. Sex adjusted weaning weight (240-d weight) of the first, second and
third calf from each cow.
PFi, PF2, PF 3 Progeny feed consumptions. Sex adjusted feed c o n s u m p t i o n o f the first, second and
third calf from 60 to 240 d o f age.
DWI, DW2, DW 3 D a m weights. Weight o f t h e cow when her first, second and third calf was weaned.
DF o A n estimate o f the feed c o n s u m e d by t h e d a m from her birth to 240 d of age.
DF 1, DF 2, DF 3 Dam feed c o n s u m p t i o n g Feed c o n s u m e d by t h e cow from 240 d of age to the weaning
o f the first calf, from the w e a n i n g o f the first calf to the weaning o f the second calf and
from the weaning o f t h e second calf to the weaning o f the third calf.
kl, k2, k3 Weighting factors to accumulate first, second and third (subscripts 1, 2 and 3) progeny
weights on a life cycle basis~
11, 12, 13 Weighting factors to estimate average weight o f d a m on a life cycle basis where sub-
scripts 1, 2 and 3 denote first, second and third parity, respectively.
m I , mz, m 3 Weighting factors to accumulate first, second and third (subscripts 1, 2 and 3) progeny
feed c o n s u m p t i o n s on a life cycle basis.
no, nl, n2, n3 Weighting factors to accumulate feed c o n s u m p t i o n o f t h e d a m on a life cycle basis where
subscripts O, 1, 2 and 3 denote periods from birth to 240 d and first, second and third
parity, respectively.
R1 Progeny and dam o u t p u t divided by progeny and d a m i n p u t c o m p u t e d on a life cycle
basis (analysis I) as:
3 3
k i PW i + (.5714) ~ liDW i
i=1 i=1
3 3
m iPFi+ ~ niDF i
i=l iffiO
R2 Progeny o u t p u t divided by progeny and d a m i n p u t c o m p u t e d on a life cycle basis
(analysis I) as:
3
kiPW i
i=1
3 3
miPF i + ~ niDF i
i=1 i=O
R3 Progeny and d a m o u t p u t divided by progeny and d a m i n p u t c o m p u t e d on an actual life-
time basis for cows weaning three calves (analysis II) as:
3
PW i + (.5714) DW 3
i=1
3 3
PF i + ~ DF i
i=l i=O
R4 Progeny o u t p u t divided by p r o g e n y and d a m i n p u t c o m p u t e d on an actual lifetime basis
for cows weaning three calves (analysis II) as:
3
PW i
i=1
3 3
PF i + ~ DF i
i=1 i=O

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836 DAVIS ET AL

tion was determined for Hereford and Holstein

dams purchased in 1964 and 1969. The 224-d
milk production of the 1974 crossbred dams
was multiplied by the average of the Hereford
and Holstein mean ratios to obtain an estimate
of their 240-d production. Ratio adjustment
factors utilized were 1.0567, 1.0483 and
1.0443 for lactations 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
For further details concerning methods of
feeding and management, see Kress et al.
(1971b), Towner (1975) and Balk (1980).
z
Estimation of Cow Efficiency
Cow efficiency was calculated using two
approaches, the first a life cycle approach
(analysis I) and the second an actual lifetime < M~M~M~M
U
approach for cows that weaned three calves =
(analysis II). [-,
Analysis I. Life cycle cow efficiency (analy- z
sis I) was expressed as the ratio of outputs to
inputs, where outputs included weaning weights
of all progeny and salvage value of the dams,
and inputs were feed consumptions of all pro-
geny and their dams:
3 3
kiPWi + ( . 5 7 1 4 ) ~ liDWi
i=l i=l
RI= 3 3 , (2) o
miPFi + ~0 niDFi
i=l i= zE ~ N N N N

Q~
where PWi, DWi, PF i and DF i are defined in ~Q
8
table 2 and ki, li, m i and n i are weighting fac-
tors defined in table 2 and shown in table 3.
The weighting factors were based on the age
distribution of the cow herd and percentage
calf crop. A herd was assumed to consist of 100
cows and 20 yearling heifers. A 10% attrition
rate at each age would result in the following
age distribution in the herd: 20 yearlings, 18
2-yr-olds, 16.2 3-yr-olds and 65.8 cows 4 yr
,,4
old or order. This attrition rate and age distri-
bution is similar to that assumed by Long et al. e~
(1975) in their deterministic simulation model. <
[-
An 80% calf crop would result in 80 calves, 40
males and 40 females, assuming a 50:50 sex 8
ratio. Keeping 50% of the heifers would yield
"~,
20 replacement heifers. The coefficients for the
first and second progeny weights and feed con-
sumption values (kl, k2, ml and m2) are equal M
to one if the cow weaned a calf in the first or
second parity and zero if she failed to wean a
~.~
calf in that parity.
In order to determine the coefficient for
progeny weight and feed consumption in the

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 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS
third parity (ka and m3), it was necessary to
compute the expected number of subsequent
parities. The proportion of cows in the herd
represented by the first three parities, assuming
the attrition rate and age distribution given
above, was .18 + .162 + .1458 = .4878. Thus,
the proportion of cows in fourth and subse-
quent parities was 1 - .4878 = .5122. To solve
for the expected number of subsequent parities
(n), the following equality was used:
.4878 .5122
3 n
(3)
Solving equation (3) yields a value of 3.15 for
n. Thus, assuming an 80% calf crop, k3 and m3
equal 1 (1) + 3.15 (.8) = 3.52 if a cow raised a
calf to weaning in their third parity and 1 (0) +
3.15 (.8) = 2.52 if she failed to wean a calf in
that parity.
Predicted values rather than zeros were used
for PW3 and PF3 if a cow failed to wean a calf
in her third parity in order to allow for the pos-
sibility of future calf production by that cow.
The primary linear model for predicting PW3
was:
PW3ii k = /2 + B i + Yj +/31 (PWlij k -- PW1)
(4)
+/32 (PW2ij k - PW2) + eijk,
where
PW3ijk = weaning weight of the
third progeny by the k th
dam in the i th breed and
jth year-diet-group,
kt= grand mean for weaning
weight of third progeny,
Bi = effect of ith breed group,
Y j = e f f e c t of jth year-diet-
group, a variable com-
posed of birth year of
dam, diet of dam and twin
group number (see statis-
tical analysis section),
PW1 ijk' PW2ijk = weaning weight of the first
and second progeny by the
k th dam of the ith breed
and jth year-diet-group,
PWl, PW2 = mean weaning weight of
first and second progeny
across breed and year-
diet-group subclasses,
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837
/31,/32 = partial regression coeffi-
cients for regression of
PW3 on PW1 and PW2
pooled over year-diet-
group and breed subclasses,
eij k = random error, assumed to
be N(0,oe2).
A similar model containing PF1 and PF2 in
place of PWt and PW2 was used to predict PF3
for dams failing to wean a calf in the third
parity. If a cow did not wean a calf in the first
or second parity, the corresponding covariate
term was deleted from the model, as were
covariates involving nonsignificant partial re-
gression coefficients.
Weighting factors for dam weights were ob-
tained by dividing the number of females in the
appropriate age classes by 100, the total num-
ber of females in the herd excluding yearling
replacement heifers. Feed consumption of dam
before 240 d of age, from 240 d of age to wean-
ing of first calf and from weaning of first calf
to weaning of second calf were assigned weight-
ing factors of one. The coefficient for feed con-
sumption of dam from weaning of second calf
to weaning of third calf was calculated as 1 (1)
+ 3.15 = 4.15. Therefore, each piece of infor-
mation that was included in the calculation of
R1 was weighted by its probability, that proba-
bility being a function of the age distribution in
the cow herd and the percentage calf crop.
Weighted sum of the dam's weights was
multiplied b y .5714 (i.e., 4/7), the approximate
ratio of price per pound for slaughter cows to
price per pound for feeder calves (Kress et al.,
1969; Livestock and Meat statistics: Supple-
m e n t for 1980). Feed consumption was ex-
pressed in terms of Mcal of ME, while weights
were expressed in kilograms. Thus, R1 esti-
mates kilograms of weaning weight equiva-
lent of beef produced/Mcal of ME consumed.
Differences in estimates of R1 could be due to
differences in fertility, weaning weights of pro-
geny, salvage weights of dams and feed con-
sumption of dams and progeny.
A second measure of cow efficiency (R2)
was calculated using the same approach as
described above except that salvage value of
dams was not considered. Therefore, R2 esti-
mates kilograms of weaning weight of progeny
produced/Mcal of ME consumed by the pro-
geny and their dam.
Analysis H. Actual lifetime cow efficiency
was calculated for dams that weaned three
838 DAVIS ET.AL.
calves (analysis II) by dividing the sum of the
outputs by the sum of the feed inputs where all
components were weighted equally (R3 in
table 2). The fourth measure of efficiency (R4)
was the same as the third (R3) except that sal-
vage weight of dams was not included in the
numerator. These equations are the same as
those employed by Kress et al. (1969) to esti-
mate efficiency of calf production for the
1953, 1954 and 1959 twins. Only dams that
weaned three calves were included in the cal-
culation of R3 and R4. Therefore, variation
associated with rate of reproduction and calf
survival are not included in R3 and R4. Varia-
tion in age at first conception and calving
interval are the only components of reproduc-
tion remaining to influence R3 and R4.
Estimation of Weaning Rate. Weaning rate,
an important component of life cycle cow effi-
ciency, was estimated for each cow in analysis 1
as:
(i 1
where 6.15 is the expected total number of
parities on a life cycle basis and k i values are
as defined in table 2 and given in table 3. This
equation yields weaning rates of .572, .735 and
.898 for dams that weaned one, two or three
progeny, respectively, when given the oppor-
tunity to wean three progeny. Weaning rate was
not calculated in analysis II because all dams in-
cluded in the second analysis weaned three
calves.
Statistical Analysis. Due to confounding of
diet and breed of dam with birth year of dam,
the 1953, 1954 and 1959 twins, the 1964 and
1969 twins, and the 1974 crossbreds were
analyzed as three independent data sets.
Hereford x Guernsey, Hereford x Holstein and
Hereford x Brown Swiss twins were included
in a "Hereford x dairy" breed of dam group,
while Hereford x Shorthorn and Hereford x
Charolais twins were combined as a "Hereford
x beef" breed of dam group due to the small
numbers of cows in these breed crosses. Effi-
ciency ratios and their component traits were
analyzed using general linear model procedures.
Fixed effects included in the basic statistical
model were year-diet-group and breed of dam.
Year-diet-group by breed of dam interaction
was estimated in the 1974 data set. The year-
diet-group variable was derived by combining
birth year of dam, diet of dam and twin group
number. In an attempt to account for the fact
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that dams purchased before 1974 were identical
and fraternal twins, and to estimate variances
and covariances that would apply to single
birth populations of inference, each twin of a
pair was assigned randomly to one of two
arbitrary groups that was nested within each
birth year of dam-diet combination. If a twin
set was born in 1953, one member of the set
was assigned randomly to group one and the
other member of the set was assigned to group
two. If a set of twins was born in 1954, one
member of the set was assigned at random to
group three, while the other member of the set
was assigned to group four, et cetera. All 1974
crossbred dams were born as singles and thus
were placed in group 11. Differences between
the arbitrary twin groups, which constituted
replicates of year-diet effects, were small and
generally nonsignificant and were not of par-
ticular interest to the present discussion. There-
fore, year-diet effects were averaged over twin
groups.
Weaning rate was analyzed using generalized
least-squares procedures, which produce mini-
m u m chi-square estimates of the true cell pro-
babilities according to the methods proposed
by Grizzle et al. (1969). Due to the sparseness
of the data, year-diet effects were examined
while ignoring twin group and breed in one
analysis, and breed effects were examined while
ignoring year-diet-group in a second analysis.
The effect of weaning rate on life cycle effi-
ciency was evaluated by analyzing R1 and R2
using a Iinear model that included weaning rate
as a fixed effect in addition to the fixed effects
of year-diet-group and breed.
Results and Discussion
Input and Output Components
Least-squares means and standard errors for
inputs and outputs used in calculating effi-
ciency ratios for dams weaning three progeny in
the case of the 1953, 1954 and 1959 twins
(analysis II) and for dams weaning one, two or
three progeny in the case of the 1964, 1969
and 1974 birth year groups (analysis I) are pre-
sented in tables 4 and 5. Means from analysis
lI are not presented for the 1960's twins and
1974 crossbreds because they are similar in
magnitude and indicate similar trends as those
obtained in analysis I.
Year-Diet Effects. Year-diet effects were
significant for PW2, PFI and DF3 and highly
 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 839

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840 DAVIS ET AL.

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 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 841

significant for PF2, DF0, and DF2 in the analy-
sis of the 1953, 1954 and 1959 twins (table 4).
In t h e analysis o f the 1964 and 1969 twins,
year-diet had a significant effect on PW2 and
D F 2 and a highly significant effect on all o t h e r
c o m p o n e n t s e x c e p t PW1 and DF0 (table 4). In
the 1974 data set, highly significant year-diet
effects existed for DW2, DWa, PFa DF0 and
D F a , while significant effects existed f o r PW2,
DW 1 and DF2 (table 4).
In general, dams on the high energy diet
(diet 1) weighed considerably m o r e at the
weaning o f each calf and c o n s u m e d consider-
ably m o r e Mcal of ME t h r o u g h o u t their life-
times than their counterparts on the l o w energy
diet (diet 2). B o w d e n (1977, 1980) observed
that cows fed a diet (N+10) that provided
about 10% m o r e energy than required to pro-
duce a " n o r m a l " growth curve were heavier at
first calving and at weaning and c o n s u m e d m o r e
digestible energy during first gestation and lac-
tation than cows fed at a level (N) sufficient to
give " n o r m a l " growth. In the present study,
dams receiving diet 1 generally weaned slightly
larger progeny than those receiving diet 2. Pro-
geny whose dams were fed the l o w energy diet
tended to c o m p e n s a t e for the l o w e r m i l k pro-
duction o f their dams (table 6) by consuming
m o r e creep feed than progeny whose dams were
fed the high energy diet (table 4). B o w d e n
(1980) also r e p o r t e d that cows fed at the N+10
level p r o d u c e d m o r e milk and weaned heavier
calves than those fed at the N level. In contrast
to the present study, B o w d e n (1980) f o u n d
c o n s u m p t i o n of digestible energy f r o m creep
feed by the t w o groups of progeny (N+10 vs N)
to be similar. Weaning weight and digestible
energy intake of progeny were n o t affected

TABLE 6. LEAST-SQUARES MEANS AND STANDARD ERRORS a FOR

METABOLIZABLE ENERGY FROM MILK

Lactation 1, Lactation 2, Lactation 3,

Item Meal Mcal Mcal

Year-diet P=. 824 d P=.566 P=.332

1953-3 516 • 79 561• 80 604+ 96
1954-3 457 +- 53 460+ 53 469• 64
1959-3 479 • 59 472• 59 599-+ 72

Year-diet P<.O01 P<.001 P<.O01

1964--1 1,136 • 93 1,368"~- 113 1,262-+ 111
1964-2 845 • 68 990+- 83 994-+ 75
1969--1 1,088 • 63 1,366 • 80 1,247 + 74
1969--2 584 • 76 811-+ 87 813 • 84

Year-diet P--.O02 P=.033 P=.O01

1974-1 1,166 • 56 1,338-+ 50 1,515+ 62
1974-2 905 • 52 1,182+ 50 1,170-+ 65

Breed b P<.001 P<.O01 P<.O01

Hereford 509 • 44 648+ 49 688• 47
Hereford X dairy 884 • 114 1,301 -+ 176 972 -+ 161
Hereford X beef 705 • 119 824 _+ 132 881 • 124
Holstein 1,554 • 65 1,760+ 77 1,775• 75

Breedc P=.428 P=.378 P=.201

Hereford X Holstein 933 • 68 1,171 + 70 1,197 • 100
Angus X Holstein 1,066 • 80 1,284-+ 70 1,369 -+ 84
Simmental X Holstein 1,050 • 69 1,388• 65 1,475-+ 78
Chianina X Holstein 1,094 • 88 1,247+ 77 1,328+ 95

aLeast-squares means and standard errors are from analysis II for 1950's twins and from analysis I for 1960's
twins and 1974 crossbreds.
bBreeds used in 1964 and 1969 experiments.
CBreeds used in 1974 experiment.
dp--level of significance.

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842 DAVIS ET AL.

significantly by level of winter supplementation with dams of larger, heavier milking breeds
of dams in studies by Kropp et al. (1973), generally requiring more feed.
Holloway et al. (1975a,b) and Wyatt et al. Simmental • Holstein and Chianina • Hol-
(1977a,b). stein dams weaned heavier calves than Hereford
Breed Group Effects. In the analysis of the X Holstein and Angus x Holstein dams in the
1964 and 1969 data, breed influenced (P<.01) first two parities (table 5), reflecting the greater
all components, while in the 1974 data set, genetic potential for growth in progeny of the
breed effects were important (P<.01) for PW3, two larger breed groups of dams (Smith et al.,
DW1, DW2, DW3, PF3 and DF1 (table 5). 1976). In the third parity, however, progeny
Among the 1964 and 1969 breeds, Holstein from Hereford x Holstein dams were heaviest.
dams were heaviest and consumed the most ME This result was associated with the high creep
(table 5). Progeny from Holstein dams were feed consumption of Hereford x Holstein pro-
heaviest at weaning and consumed the least geny in the third parity. Milk production of
amount of ME from creep feed (table 5) due Hereford • Holstein dams in this parity was less
to the high level of milk production of their than that of the three other breed groups (table
dams (table 6). Kropp et al. (1973), Holloway 6). The much greater magnitude of PW2 as com-
et al. (1975a,b), Lusby et al. (1976a,b,c) and pared with PW1 for each breed group was a
Wyatt et al. (1977a,b) reported that Hereford result of both increased milk production and
x Holstein dams produced more milk and mating to Charolais sires in the second parity
weaned heavier calves than straightbred Here- but to Jersey sires in the first parity. Smith
fords, but required more forage. Holstein dams et al. (1976) reported a 13% advantage in
produced even more milk and heavier calves, weaning weight when Hereford and Angus
but consumed considerably more forage for the dams were mated to Charolais sires compared
total year than Hereford or Hereford x Holstein with Jersey sires.
dams. Holstein progeny consumed less creep in Breed group differences for creep feed con-
drylot and less forage cellulose on range than s u m p t i o n were significant only in the third
Hereford progeny. Negative correlation co- parity (table 5), in which PF3 was highest for
efficients between milk and creep intake were progeny from Hereford • Holstein dams. Pro-
observed for each breed. Marshall et al. (1976) geny creep feed consumption corresponded
also observed that calves that received more closely with milk production only in the third
milk consumed less creep TDN. Creep feed parity. Hereford x Holstein progeny received
intake was greater for calves from breed types the least amount of ME from milk in each lac-
of cows that produced tess milk in the study by tation, while Simmental x Holstein progeny
Bowden (1980). received the greatest amount of milk ME in the
Among the 1974 crossbreds, Chianina x second and third lactations (table 6). Despite
Holstein dams were largest at the weaning of their low ME intake from milk, progeny of
each calf, followed by Simmental x Holstein Hereford x Holstein dams had the lowest PF1
dams (table 5). Dams of the two smaller breed values and the second lowest PF2 values. How-
types, Hereford x Holstein and Angus x ever, as mentioned previously, they did have
Holstein, were of similar mature size. Simmen- the largest PF3 values. Progeny of Simmental •
tal • Holstein and Chianina x Holstein dams Holstein dams had the largest PF1 and PF 2
consumed more ME than Hereford x Holstein values even though their ME intake from milk
and Angus • Holstein dams (table 5) through- was relatively high. However, their feed con-
out each phase of their production cycle. The sumption in the third parity was the lowest of
high ME intake of Chianina • Holstein dams the four breeds. Thus, it appears that only in
was apparently due to their larger energy the third parity did progeny receiving less milk
requirements for maintenance and tissue ME compensate by consuming more creep feed.
growth because their milk production only ex-
ceeded that of Hereford x Holstein dams (table
6). Other investigators (Kropp et al., 1973; Efficiency Estimates
Ellison et al., 1974; Holloway et al., 1975a,b; Least-squares means and standard errors for
Lusby et al., 1976a, b,c; Marshall et al., 1976; efficiency ratios of dams weaning one, two or
Wyatt et al., 1977a,b; Bowden, 1977, 1980; three progeny (analysis I) and of dams weaning
Lemenager et al., 1980) have demonstrated three progeny (analysis II) are listed in table 7.
significant breed effects for feed consumption, Year-Diet Effects. Year-diet was an impor-

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 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 843

t a n t ( P < . 0 1 ) source o f v a r i a t i o n f o r b o t h R3 of s u f f i c i e n t size t o o f f s e t t h e i r o w n i n c r e a s e d

and R 4 in t h e analysis o f t h e 1 9 5 0 ' s t w i n data.
Year-diet effects were significant for R1, R 2
and R 4 in t h e analysis o f t h e 1 9 6 4 a n d 1 9 6 9
twin data. T h e e f f e c t o f y e a r - d i e t was n o t sig-
n i f i c a n t for efficiencies o f 1 9 7 4 c r o s s b r e d
dams.
In analyses I a n d II, 1 9 6 4 a n d 1969 t w i n s
receiving t h e l o w energy diet t e n d e d to be m o r e
e f f i c i e n t t h a n t h o s e receiving t h e high e n e r g y
diet regardless of w h e t h e r or n o t salvage value
o f d a m was i n c l u d e d in t h e calculations,
a l t h o u g h d i f f e r e n c e s were g r e a t e r w h e n d a m
w e i g h t was i g n o r e d ( R 2 a n d R4). A n a l y s i s I a n d
II involving t h e 1 9 7 4 crossbreds revealed n e a r l y
identical efficiencies f o r d a m s receiving d i e t 1
or 2. T h u s , n o a d v a n t a g e to feeding d a m s in
excess o f t h e i r energy r e q u i r e m e n t s was a p p a r -
ent. D a m s o n t h e high e n e r g y diet possessed
g r e a t e r salvage value, b u t did n o t w e a n p r o g e n y
ME intake. B o w d e n ( 1 9 8 0 ) o b s e r v e d t h a t d a m s
o n t h e N + 1 0 f e e d i n g level p r o d u c e d m o r e m i l k
a n d w e a n e d heavier calves t h a n cows o n t h e N
level, b u t t h a t t h e a d v a n t a g e was n o t great
e n o u g h t o o f f s e t t h e g r e a t e r feed c o n s u m p t i o n
b y t h e d a m s o n t h e h i g h e r e n e r g y level. D a m s
a l o n e or d a m s plus p r o g e n y o n t h e N + 1 0 level
c o n s u m e d significantly m o r e digestible e n e r g y /
k i l o g r a m o f p r o g e n y w e a n e d t h a n did d a m s
a l o n e or d a m s plus p r o g e n y o n t h e N level.
Level o f w i n t e r s u p p l e m e n t o f d a m generally
did n o t a f f e c t t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f c o n v e r s i o n o f
digestible e n e r g y i n t a k e b y d a m or b y d a m a n d
p r o g e n y i n t o w e a n i n g w e i g h t o f p r o g e n y in
t h e s t u d y b y H o U o w a y e t al. ( 1 9 7 5 b ) .
Breed Group Effects. In t h e 1 9 6 4 a n d 1 9 6 9
t w i n d a t a , b r e e d e f f e c t s were s i g n i f i c a n t f o r R 2
a n d highly s i g n i f i c a n t f o r R1, R3 a n d R 4 ( t a b l e
7). H e r e f o r d • b e e f d a m s w e r e m o s t efficient,

TABLE 7. LEAST-SQUARES MEANS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR

EFFICIENCY RATIOS

Analysis I Analysis II
Item R1 R2 R3 R4

Yea~diet p<.o01 c P=.O04

1953-3 .0345• .0251 •
1954-3 .0338 • .0005 .0234 • .0005
1959-3 .0306 • .0005 .0213 • .0006

Yea~diet P=.031 P<.001 P=.563 P=.O04

1964-1 .0230 • .0011 .0177 • .0010 .0299 • .0012 .0200 • .0010
1964-2 .0261 • .0008 .0218 • .0008 .0314 • .0007 .0232 • .0006
1969-1 .0254 • .0008 .0211 • .0007 .0303 • .0007 .0218 • .0006
1969-2 .0258 • .0009 .0218 • .0009 .0308 • .0008 .0231 • .0007

Year-diet P=.138 P=.137 P=.189 P=.429

1974-1 .0238 • .0005 .0196 • .0005 .0302 • .0006 .0219 • .0005
1974-2 .0249 • .0005 .0207 • .0005 .0291 • .0006 .0213 • .0005

Breed a P=.002 P=.013 P--.001 P--.006

Hereford .0257 + .0005 .0209 • .0005 .0317 + .0005 .0227 • .0004
Hereford • dairy .0247 • .0015 .0205 • .0014 .0304 • .0014 .0219 • .0012
Hereford X beef .0273 + .0014 .0227 • .0014 .0321 • .0012 .0234 • .0011
Holstein .0225 -+ .0008 .0184 + .0008 .0281 • .0007 .0202 + .0006

Breed b P=.217 P=.147 P=.589 P--.482

Hereford • Holstein .0256 • .0007 .0215 • .0007 .0305 -+ .0008 .0224 • .0007
Angus • Holstein .0241 + .0007 .0198 • .0007 .0294 • .0008 .0214 • .0007
Simmental • Holstein .0243 + .0007 .0202 -+ .0007 .0297 • .0007 .0217 + .0006
Chianina • Holstein .0234 + .0007 .0191 • .0008 .0290 • .0008 .0208 • .0007

aBreeds used in 1964 and 1969 experiments.

bBreeds used in 1974 experiment.
cp=level of significance.

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844 DAVIS ET AL.

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 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 845

followed in order by Herefords, Hereford x
dairy and Holsteins. Straightbred Holsteins
were least efficient, although they produced
progeny with heavier weaning weights and
lower preweaning feed c o n s u m p t i o n , and pos-
sessed greater salvage value than any of the
other breed groups in the 1964 and 1969 ex-
periments (table 5). The low efficiency ratios
of Holstein dams were associated with their
large ME intake. Possibly, Holstein dams used
a significant p o r t i o n of their increased energy
intake to produce greater levels of milk than
were o p t i m u m for conversion into proportion-
ately greater calf gains. It should be noted that
ttolstein dams were mated to a smaller breed
(Hereford) relative to their own m a t u r e size and
consequently weaned smaller progeny than
would have been expected if they had been
mated to a larger breed of sire.
In an effort to examine reciprocal effects
when Holstein dams were mated to Hereford
sires and Hereford dams were mated to Holstein
sires, 1969 Hereford and Holstein twin data
were analyzed .separately. Results are presented
in table 8 and 9. Year-diet effects were similar
to those discussed previously. Dams on the high
energy diet were heavier and c o n s u m e d more
ME, in addition to weaning heavier calves that
c o n s u m e d less ME, than dams on the low
energy diet (table 8). Year-diet had a non-
significant effect on efficiency ratios, although
dams on diet 1 were slightly less efficient when
salvage value was ignored (R2 and R4).
Holstein dams weighed significantly more
at the weaning of each calf and consumed
significantly more ME during each segment of
their lives t h a n Hereford dams (table 8). Breed
effects were highly significant for PWI, PW2 and
PW3, with progeny from Holstein dams weigh-
ing more than progeny from Hereford dams
in each case. Apparently, the % H e r e f o r d - l h
Holstein progeny possessed growth potential
that they were unable to express when re-
stricted by the milk p r o d u c t i o n of the Hereford
dams. To compensate for their low milk intake,
progeny of Hereford dams c o n s u m e d more
creep (P<.01) than progeny of Holstein dams.
Hereford dams were more efficient (P<.O1)
than Holstein dams based on each of the four
measures of efficiency. Holstein dams do n o t
appear to be efficient producers of beef due to
their heavy milk p r o d u c t i o n and large size,
which result in large ME requirements. As men-
tioned previously, efficiency of Holstein dams
likely would improve if it was possible to mate
them to a larger breed of sire in order to pro-
duce progeny with sufficient growth potential
to utilize their milk output. It is likely that
dairy breeds such as Holstein will c o n t i n u e to
be used in crossing in order to introduce genes
for higher milk p r o d u c t i o n into beef popula-
tions. It is n o t likely that straightbred dairy
animals will be utilized strictly for beef pro-
d u c t i o n as was done in the 1969 study. In con-
trast to the present study, Holloway et al.
(1975b) noted no significant differences in the
ability of Hereford, Hereford • Holstein or
Holstein dams m a t e d to Angus and Charolais
sires for their first and second calves, respec-
tively, to convert digestible energy intake of
cow or of cow and calf into weaning weight of
calf when cows were individually fed to imitate
weight change patterns of corresponding breed
groups on pasture. However, crossbreds were
slightly more efficient than straightbreds in
converting total digestible energy intake of cow
and calf into weaning weight.
In the 1974 study, breed differences were

TABLE 9. LEAST-SQUARES MEANS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR EFFICIENCY

RATIOS OF 1969 HEREFORD AND HOLSTEIN TWINS

Analysis I Analysis II
Item R1 R2 R3 R4

Year-diet P=.981a P=.667 P=.857 P--.246

1969-1 .0247 +-.0006 .0204 -+.0006 .0299 + .0005 .0216 -+.0004
1969-2 .0247 +-.0006 .0207 + .0006 .0298 + .0006 .0223 + .0005

Breed P<.001 P=.O03 P<.001 P<.OO1

Hereford .O264 -+ .0007 .0219 +-.0006 .0316 -+.0006 .0232 + .0005
Holstein .0230 +-.0006 .0192 + .0005 .0281 + .0005 .0207 + .0004

ap=level of significance.

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846 DAVIS ET AL.
not significant for any of the measures of effi-
ciency. Hereford x Holstein dams were of
highest rank for each of the four efficiency
estimates, followed in order by Simmental x
Holstein, Angus x Holstein and Chianina x
Holstein dams. Generally, these results are con-
sistent with previous reports, showing no signif-
icant differences between breed groups for cow
efficiency. Carpenter et al. (1972) reported
that Charolais cows were slightly more effi-
cient than Hereford cows when efficiency was
measured as the ratio of calf weaning weight to
feed consumption of the cow and calf during
lactation. In a study involving straightbred
Angus, straightbred Charolais and their recipro-
cal crosses mated to Polled Hereford sires,
Marshall et al. (1976) found no significant
breed of dam effects for cow efficiency at
weaning, although Angus dams had efficiency
ratios superior to those of Charolais or cross-
bred dams. Wagner (1978) reported that breed
of dam was not an important source of varia-
tion for weaning efficiency of Angus, Hereford,
Charolais and reciprocal cross dams. Bowden
(1980) found no significant differences for
2-yr-old Simmental • Angus, Charolais •
Angus, Hereford x Angus and Jersey x Angus
dams mated to the same Red Poll sire in diges-
tible energy intake of dams or dams plus calves
per kilogram o f weaning weight of calf. Thus,
breed o f dam does not appear to be an
important source of variation in efficiency of
straightbred dams or of crossbred dams when
they are mated to the same sires of a different
breed.
Hereford x Holstein dams exhibited greater
efficiency (table 7) in the present study perhaps
because o f their relatively small size and corre-
spondingly lower energy requirements for main-
tenance and tissue growth as well as due to the
relatively large calves they weaned in relation
to their own body size, particularly in the third
parity (table 5). Chianina • Holstein dams had
low efficiency ratios, because they did not
wean calves of sufficient size to offset their
own large ME requirements for maintenance
and growth. However, this does not necessarily
mean that Hereford • Holstein dams are
inherently more efficient than Chianina • Hol-
stein dams. Charolais sires, which were large
relative to the Hereford • Holstein and Angus
x Holstein dams, but not large relative to the
Simmental x Holstein and Chianina • Holstein
dams, were used in the second and third parities.
If the large dam breeds had been challenged by
Downloaded from jas.fass.org by guest on July 12, 2011
mating to a sire breed o f proportionately larger
size, they would have been expected to wean
heavier calves and thus, have higher efficiencies.
Efficiency of the different breeds would have
been expected to be more similar had a positive
assortative mating system (i.e., mating cows to
sires of like size) been used.
A number of reports have discussed the
effect of mating small dams to large terminal
sire breeds on efficiency of production
(Cartwright, 1970; Long and Fitzhugh, 1970;
Thomas and Cartwright, 1971; Ellison et al.,
1974; Fitzhugh et al., 1975; Smith, 1976,
1979; Notter et al., 1979; Gregory and Cundiff,
1980). Results from the present study indicate
that mating Hereford • Holstein dams to small
Jersey sires in the first parity so as to minimize
calving difficulty and to large Charolais sires in
subsequent parities to exploit complementarity
may result in superior biological efficiency to
a weaning end point. Very large dams such as
Chianina x Holstein are not expected to be
efficient in converting feed into weaning
weight unless they can be bred to even larger
sires. It appears to be advantageous to challenge
a cow by mating her to as large a bull as
possible within the limitations imposed by
calving difficulty.
Adjustment for Age at Calving. Kress et al.
(1969) reported that linearly adjusting R3 and
R4 for age at calving automatically adjusts for
variation that remains in reproductive perfor-
mance among cows with a maximum reproduc-
tion rate of weaning three calves by 5 yr of
age. Adjusting R1 and R2 for age at calving
removes that part of the variation in reproduc-
tive performance associated with calving date,
but not that part associated with reproductive
rate (e.g., parity groupings 111, 110, 101,100,
011, 010, 001; table 3). Leas~-squares means
and standard errors for efficiency ratios of
1960's twins and 1974 crossbreds after using
covariate terms to adjust for age at first, second
and third calving are given in table 10. In the
analysis of the 1960's data, regression on age
at second calving was highly significant for R1
and significant for R2. In the 1974 data set,
regression on age at second calving was signifi-
cant for R1 and R2. Age at third calving was
highly significant for each of the four efficiency
estimates in both data sets, while regression on
age at first calving did not significantly affect
any of the measures of efficiency.
In general, adjusting for age at calving im-
proved the efficiency ratios of dams on the low
 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 847

energy d i e t ( d i e t 2) as c o m p a r e d with t h o s e A d j u s t i n g for age at each c a l v i n g ' r e d u c e d t h e

receiving the high energy diet ( d i e t 1), par-
ticulaly in t h e 1974 data set. In all cases, cross-
b r e d d a m s o n t h e l o w energy diet were m o r e
e f f i c i e n t t h a n d a m s on t h e high energy diet
after a d j u s t m e n t for age at each calving.
Average age o f darns used in analysis I at first,
s e c o n d and t h i r d calving was 640 + 20, 1,012
+ 24 and 1,371 -+ 26 d f o r d a m s o n t h e high
energy diet and 799 + 20, 1 , 1 7 6 -+ 24 and 1,532
+ 26 d for t h o s e o n the l o w energy diet. Dams
receiving t h e l o w energy d i e t were an average o f
159 d o l d e r w h e n calving for the first time, a
d i f f e r e n c e t h a t was m a i n t a i n e d t h r o u g h o u t the
following t w o parities.
variation a m o n g e f f i c i e n c y ratios o f breeds used
in the 1964 and 1969 e x p e r i m e n t s , a l t h o u g h
the only change in ranking involved H e r e f o r d
and H e r e f o r d • b e e f d a m s (table 10). Holsteins
r e m a i n e d the least e f f i c i e n t o f the 1960's
breeds. In t h e 1974 data set, H e r e f o r d • Hol-
steins r e m a i n e d t h e m o s t e f f i c i e n t a f t e r adjust-
m e n t for age at calving, with b r e e d d i f f e r e n c e s
a p p r o a c h i n g significance (P--.067) f o r R1.
Chianina • Holstein d a m s t e n d e d to b e n e f i t
m o s t f r o m a d j u s t m e n t f o r age at calving
because t h e y w e r e the oldest o f t h e breeds at
each calving. Average age at first, s e c o n d and
t h i r d calving was 676 -+ 28, 1,040 + 34 and

TABLE 10. LEAST-SQUARES MEANS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR EFFICIENCY RATIOS
AFTER ADJUSTING FOR AGE AT FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD CALVING

Analysis I Analysis II
Item R1 R2 R3 R4

Regression on age
(1964, 1969)
1st calving p=.304c P=.350 P=.096 P=.086
2nd calving P=.007 P=.025 P=.307 P=.372
3rd calving P<.001 P--.002 P<.001 P=.004

Regression on age
(1974)
lstcalving P=.308 P=.223 P=.660 P=.522
2nd calving P=.016 P=.045 P=.935 P=.895
3rdcalving P<.001 P=.007 P=.002 P=.002

Ye~-diet P=.004 P<.001 P=.024 P<.001

1964-1 .0224 • .0010 .0173 • .0010 .0290 • .0193 • .0009
1964-2 .0260 • .0218 • .0315 • .0006 .0234 5.0005
1969-1 .0253 • .0007 .0210 • .0007 .0298 • .0006 .0215 5.0005
1969-2 .0257 5.0008 .0217 • .0008 .0312 • .0233 • .0007

Year-diet P=.015 P=.012 P=.010 P=.002

1974-1 .0234 • .0005 .0191 • .0005 .0288 • .0004 .0206 • .0003
1974-2 .0254 • .0005 .0213 • .0005 .0307 • .0004 .0227 • .0004

Breed a P=.023 P=.088 P--.016 P=.129

Hereford .0255 _+.0005 .0207 • .0005 .0313 • .0004 .0223 • .0004
Hereford • dairy .0245 _+.0014 .0203 -+ .0014 .0307 + .0012 .0221 + .0011
Hereford • beef .0264 • .0013 .0220 + .0013 .0308 + .0010 .0224 -+ .0009
Holstein .0230 + .0007 .0188 + .0007 .0288 • .0006 .0207 + .0006

Breedb P=.067 P=. 114 P=. 187 P=.096

Hereford X Holstein .0260 • .0007 .0217 • .0007 .0306 -+ .0004 .0225 • .0004
Angus • Holstein .0236 • .0006 .0194 • .0007 .0295 • .0004 .0215 • .0004
Simmental • Holstein .0240 + .0006 .0200 • .0006 .0294 • .0004 .0215 • .0003
Chianina • Holstein .0242 • .0007 .0199 • .0007 .0294 • .0004 .0211 • .0004

aBreeds used in 1964 and 1969 experiments.

bBreeds used in 1974 experiment.
cp=level of significance.

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848 DAVIS ET AL.

1,436 + 36 d for H e r e f o r d • H o l s t e i n dams, were t h e m o s t e f f i c i e n t breed, while on the high

707 + 28, 1,084 + 34 and 1,427 + 37 d for
Angus • Holstein d a m s , 720 + 27, 1,085 +
33 and 1,433 + 35 d f o r S i m m e n t a l x Holstein
d a m s and 777 + 29, 1,167 + 35 and 1,511 +-40
d for Chianina • Holstein dams. W h e n dif-
f e r e n c e s due t o age at calving w e r e r e m o v e d ,
Chianina x H o l s t e i n d a m s were s e c o n d o n l y t o
H e r e f o r d • Holstein d a m s for R1. A significant
y e a r - d i e t by b r e e d i n t e r a c t i o n e x i s t e d for R4.
On the l o w energy diet, Chianina • Holsteins
energy diet, t h e y w e r e t h e least e f f i c i e n t breed.
C h i a n i n a x H o l s t e i n d a m s o n diet 2 also had
m e a n R3 values e q u a l to t h o s e o f H e r e f o r d x
H o l s t e i n dams. T h e slow rate o f m a t u r i t y o f the
C h i a n i n a x H o l s t e i n darns r e s u l t e d in later
calving ages, w h i c h c o n t r i b u t e d t o large ME in-
takes and p o o r e f f i c i e n c y ratios. Had it b e e n
possible t o feed t h e C h i a n i n a x Holstein dams
t h e l o w enregy diet a n d y e t m a i n t a i n r e p r o d u c -
tive p e r f o r m a n c e equal to t h a t o f the o t h e r

TABLE 11. SUBCLASS NUMBERS AND MEANS FOR WEANING RATE a BY YEAR-DIET
(WHILE IGNORING BREED AND TWIN GROUP) AND BY BREED
(WHILE IGNORING YEAR-DIET-GROUP)

Weaning rate
Item .572 .735 .898 Total Mean e

Year-diet (P=.21) b
1964-1 2 4 5 11 .779
1964-2 2 7 17 26 .829
1969-1 2 2 21 25 .859
1969-2 0 8 12 20 .833
Total 6- 21 55 82

Year-diet (P=.80)
1974-1 3 8 17 28 .817
1974-2 2 10 16 28 .817
Total 5 18 33 56

Breedc (P=. 85)

Hereford 6 12 30 48 .817
Hereford X dairy 0 2 3 5 .833
Hereford X beef 0 1 4 5 .865
Holstein 0 6 18 24 .857
Total 6 21 55 82

Breedd (P=.93)
Hereford • Holstein 1 4 9 14 .828
Angus • Holstein 2 5 7 14 ~793
Simmental X Holstein 0 5 10 15 .844
Chianina X Holstein 2 4 7 13 .798
Total 5 18 33 56

3
aWeaning rate was estimated as ~ ki/6.15 , where 6.15 is the expected total number of parities on a life
i=1
cycle basis and k i values are as defined in table 2 and given in table 3. Weaning rates .572, .735 and .898 repre-
sent dams weaning one, two and three progeny, respectively, when given the opportunity to wean three progeny.
bp=level of significance.
CBreeds used in 1964 and 1969 experiments.
dBreeds used in 1974 experiment.
3 3
eMean weaning rate equalled ~ n i ri/ ~ ni, where n i ; number of cows with ith weaning rate and r i = ith
i;1 i=l
weaning rate (e.g.,. 572, .735, .898).

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 LIFETIME EFFICIENCY OF BEEF COWS 849

breeds, it appears that they would have been Feeding a high energy diet reduced age at each
equally as efficient. Indications are that the low calving, but resulted in improved weaning rates
energy diet was not adequate to support normal only in the 1969 experiment. The low energy
reproductive function of the large and late diet was adequate to allow for the production
maturing Chianina • Holstein females. of three calves in"a 5-yr period under the breed-
ing scheme employed in these experiments in
Weaning Rate which a dam was rebred at first estrus following
Estimates of weaning rate were obtained for abortion or birth of a calf.
each dam in analysis I using the equation Breed Effects. In the 1960's experiments
and in the 1974 experiment, breed of dam did
not have a significant effect on weaning rate
(table 11). Among the breeds used in the 1964
where 6.15 is the expected total n u m b e r of and 1969 experiments, the percentage of dams
parities on a life cycle basis and k i values are as weaning three progeny tended to be greatest
defined in table 2 and given in table 3. Weaning for the Hereford • beef breed group, followed
rates obtained using this equation were .572, in order by the Holstein, Hereford and Here-
.735 and .898 for dams weaning one, two and ford • dairy breed groups (80, 75, 62.5 and
three progeny, respectively. 60%, respectively). Six of the 48 Hereford dams
Year-diet Effects. Year-diet was a nonsignif- weaned only one progeny, while none of the
icant source of variation for weaning rate in the Hereford • dairy, Hereford • beef or Holstein
analysis of both the 1960's twin data and the dams weaned fewer than two progeny. Thus,
1974 crossbred data (table 11). In the 1964 the relatively high efficiencies of Hereford dams
experiment, 45% of dams on the high energy and the relatively low efficiencies of Holstein
diet weaned three calves, while 65% of dams on darns do not appear to reflect differences in
the low energy diet weaned three calves. In the weaning rates.
1969 experiment, 84% of the dams receiving Among breeds studied in the 1974 experi-
diet 1 and 60% of the dams receiving diet 2 ment, weaning rates tended to be highest for
weaned three calves. Nearly identical percent- Hereford • Holstein and Simmental x Holstein
ages of cows receiving high and low energy diets dams, although differences were quite small.
raised three calves to weaning in the 1974 data Only seven of 13 Chianina • Holstein dams
set. The percentage of dams over all data sets raised three calves to weaning, a result that
that weaned only one calf was 11% for diet 1 likely contributed to the low efficiency ratios
and 5% for diet 2. of this breed group.
Conclusions concerning the effect of diet on Effect on Efficiency. Least-squares means
weaning rate must be tentative due to the and standard errors for R1 and R2 by weaning
limited numbers of dams in these experiments. rate subclasses are presented in table 12. Wean-

TABLE 12. LEAST-SQUARESMEANS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR EFFICIENCY

RATIOS BY WEANING RATEa SUBCLASSES

Weaning 1964, 1969 twins 1974 crossbreds

rate R1 R2 R3 R4

P<.O01b P<.O01 P<.O01 P<.O01

.572 .0212 • .0011 .0164 • .0010 .0206• .0010 .0159 • .0009
.735 .0226 • .0006 .0180 • .0005 .0231 • .0005 .0188 • .0005
.898 .0264 • .0005 .0220 • .0004 .0256 • .0004 .0215 • .0004

3
aWeaning rate was estimated as ~ ki/6.15, where 6.15 is the expected total number of parities on a life
i=1
cycle basis and ki values are as defined in table 2 and given in table 3. Weaning rates .572, .735 and .898 repre-
sent dams weaning one, two and three progeny, respectively, when given the opportunity to wean three progeny.
bp=level of significance.

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850 DAVIS ET AL.
ing r a t e h a d a h i g h l y s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t o n R 1
a n d R 2 values in t h e 1 9 6 4 a n d 1 9 6 9 e x p e r i -
m e n t s a n d in t h e 1 9 7 4 e x p e r i m e n t . In all
instances, efficiency ratios were highest for
w e a n i n g rate s u b c l a s s . 8 9 8 , f o l l o w e d b y sub-
classes .735 a n d .572. T h e s e r e s u l t s e m p h a s i z e
t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f f e r t i l i t y a n d calf survival.
D a m s w e a n i n g less t h a n t h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r
o f p r o g e n y a l l o w a b l e are u n l i k e l y t o e x h i b i t
s u p e r i o r life c y c l e e f f i c i e n c i e s .
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