Research

United States: Study Shows Hereford Heterosis Advantage

Preliminary research shows a $78 advantage for Hereford-sired calves compared to Angus-sired calves in a real-world commercial setting.

The American Hereford Association (AHA) announced the first-year results of a heterosis study being conducted in cooperation with California State University, Chico; Lacey Livestock; Harris Feeding Co.; and Harris Ranch Beef Co. The objective of the research project was to conduct a controlled crossbreeding system, comparing progeny sired by Hereford and Angus bulls, under commercial conditions, emphasizing economic differences at the ranch, feedlot and packing plant.

Ten Hereford bulls selected for specific expected progeny differences (EPDs) were matched with 10 Angus bulls of comparable genetics. Bulls were randomly mated to 400 mature Angus-based cows. All calves were identified with electronic identification (EID) tags and DNA samples were taken to determine parentage. All cattle had equal access to comparable feed resources and management in extensive, relatively harsh environments.

The differences in weaning performance, feedlot performance, carcass value and overall profitability were measured on the Angus- and Hereford-sired calves. According to Jack Ward, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement, “Preliminary data suggests a significant economic advantage of $86 per head in the feedlot phase for the Hereford-sired calves.

“Primary differences were gain, feed efficiency, morbidity and mortality, resulting in a lower cost of gain, $11.94 per hundredweight (cwt.); which equates to a $7.32 per cwt. difference when mortality of the Angus-sired steers was excluded,” Ward said. He added that the Angus-sired group had a significant advantage in quality grade, partially offsetting the value in the feedlot. “However, the net advantage favored the Hereford-sired cattle by nearly $78 per head for the entire production cycle,” Ward said.

Ward explained heterosis is the superiority of the crossbreed progeny compared to the average of the parent breeds. Maternal heterosis is the increase in calf performance due to the maternal effect of the crossbred cow.

All results of this study are based on limited numbers from year one. To have more numbers for the project in year two and three, Lacey Livestock increased the number of cows to 600 for the remainder of the study. The backgrounding, feedlot and carcass trial will be repeated in 2008 and 2009.

The effect of maternal heterosis will be determined by tracking productivity of the replacement heifers that were retained and identified to a sire. The objective is to attempt to determine lifetime productivity and profitability differences between sire groups.

For a complete report, “Impacts of Crossbreeding on Profitability in Vertically Coordinated Beef Industry Marketing Systems,” click here (pdf file).

New Zealand: Pointers for Overcoming Fertility Issues at Mating

To read this article, please click here (pdf file).

United States: Beef Improvement Federation

In June 2007 the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Research Symposium was held in Fort Collins, Colorado.

A number of the presentations focused on our ability as cattlemen to improve carcass and product quality. The papers are available by clicking onto the web site www.bifconference.com

Hereford Leaders Travel to Argentina; Plan for Pan-American Evaluation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jack Holden, American Hereford Association (AHA) president, and Jack Ward, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement, traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina, in late July to further the development of a Pan-American Hereford genetic analysis.
By consistently evaluating North and South American Hereford genetics, Hereford breeders and their customers in each country would be able to fairly compare the two. Holden says the target date for this consistent evaluation is next fall, when the AHA traditionally updates their expected progeny differences (EPDs). The AHA’s ultimate goal is a universal global evaluation.
The Argentine Hereford Society facilitated the Pan-American genetic analysis discussion in conjunction with the Palermo National Show in Buenos Aires. The event was well attended with breeders from both Argentina and Uruguay.
Holden and Ward not only talked about genetic analysis, but also shared information about other performance matters and AHA programs. They emphasized the importance of whole-herd reporting and ultrasound, and explained the AHA’s Non-Certificate AI Sire Program and $Profit Indexes. The floor was then opened for a question-and-answer session.
Ward had an additional agenda while in Buenos Aires. He judged the Palermo Hereford heifer and bull shows. In September, Ward will travel to South America again to serve as a Hereford judge in the Prado show in Uruguay and to continue the genetic analysis discussions.
“The AHA wants to learn how to most effectively utilize data in both countries, and eventually throughout the world, to best market Hereford genetics across the globe,” Ward says.
For more information on Hereford performance matters, contact Ward at (816) 842-3757 or jward@hereford.org

Update on World Hereford Genetic Linkage Project

Kath Donoghue (1), David Johnston (1) and Bob Freer (2)

1 Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351

2 Antek Pty Ltd., P.O. Box 1160, Armidale NSW 2350

Data on all traits has now been received for the World Hereford Genetic Linkage Project, and updated results are presented in Table 1. Two different sire groups were used (sires of Australian origin and sires of North American origin) to produce progeny in three countries (Australia, Canada and USA). Growth data was received from all participating countries, while ultrasound scan and carcase data was obtained for progeny born in Australia and USA. Table 1 contains the average adjusted trait value for the progeny of the two groups of sires in the different countries.

1) Growth and scan traits

Results are presented for the growth traits of birth, weaning and yearling weight, and the ultrasound scan traits of scan rib fat, eye muscle area and intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage. Data were adjusted using standard BREEDPLAN (progeny born in Australia) and North American Hereford (progeny born in US/Canada) adjustments for the particular trait. For all growth traits, progeny born in Canada were consistently heavier; however there were no significant differences between progeny of the two different sire groups within a particular country. For example, the average adjusted yearling weight of progeny born in Canada was similar for sires of Australian (415 kg) and North American (417 kg) origin. Similar trends were observed for the scan traits; for example, the average adjusted IMF% of progeny born in USA was similar for sires of Australian (3.6%) and North American (3.7%) origin. These results indicate that there was little difference in the performance of the progeny of the 2 different sire groups in the 3 countries for growth and scan traits.  

2) Carcase traits

Results are presented in Table 1 for carcase weight, carcase rib fat and carcase eye muscle area. All traits were adjusted using standard BREEDPLAN adjustments for comparison purposes; carcase weight was adjusted for age of animal, and other carcase traits were adjusted to a 300kg carcase weight equivalent . Progeny from sires of North American origin had slightly heavier carcase weights in both countries, but these were not significantly different to the progeny average for sires of Australian origin. No differences were observed between the different sire groups for carcase rib fat in progeny born in USA (avg = 5.8 mm for both sire groups), while some difference was observed for this trait in Australian-born progeny (avg = 8.2 mm for AUS sires; avg = 9.3 mm for NA sires). For carcase EMA, little difference was observed between the different sire groups in Australian-born progeny (avg = 75 cm 2 for both sire groups), while some difference was observed for this trait in progeny born in USA (avg = 67 cm 2 for AUS sires; avg = 64 cm 2 for NA sires). These differences, however, were small and not statistically significant. These results indicate that there was no significant difference between the performance of the progeny of the different sire groups in the 2 countries for carcase traits. Some differences were observed between countries for carcase traits which may be due to different processing procedures (eg quartering site).

Conclusions

The World Hereford Genetic Linkage Project results for growth, ultrasound scan and carcase traits indicate no significant differences in the average performance of the progeny of Australian and North American sires used in this linkage project. The data from this project will greatly assist in the development of accurate across-country EBVs for the Hereford breed, and the availability of similar data will further enhance this development process. Research into the feasibility of a Global Hereford Genetic Evaluation is now underway, with data received from eight countries for growth (birth, weaning, yearling and final weight), fertility (scrotal size) and ultrasound scan traits (rib fat, eye muscle area and intramuscular fat %).

Table 1. Mean progeny performance for Australian (AUS sires) and North American (NA sires) sires for adjusted growth, scan and carcase traits in Australia, US and Canada*

* Differences between average performance of AUS and NA sires were non-significant for all traits

Australia

The Cooperative Research Centre held a two day conference in Armidale in Australia in March. The conference honoured Professor Bernie Bindon who undoubtedly has had a huge influence in both gaining funds for beef research and completing research projects which have had a great deal of value for the beef industry.

To view the pdf file of an article written by Jan Wills, please click here.

Herefords top CRC Feed Efficiency Trial

NEWS RELEASE - Monday, September 26, 2005

Herefords have emerged as the most feed efficient British breed in results released today by the Cattle and Meat Quality Cooperative Research Centre.

The aim of the study was to estimate sire-breed differences for daily feed intake and NFI.

Individual daily feed intake and live weights were measured on 469 beef cattle representing nine sire breeds joined to Brahman cows.

Of the three British breeds compared, Hereford sired progeny had significantly lower Net Feed Intake (NFI) that is, ate less feed at the same bodyweight and performance, than either Shorthorn- or Angus-sired progeny.

Progeny from Brahman, Charolais, Limousin, Hereford and Santa Gertrudis sire breeds had significantly lower NFI compared to progeny of Angus, Shorthorn and Belmont Red sire breeds.

Kirsty Moore, David Johnston and Heather Burrow of the prestigious Beef CRC, presented results to fellow geneticists at the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG) 16th Annual Conference at Noosa Lakes, Queensland.

Geoff Taylor, Australian Hereford Society General Manager, said the report vindicates observations made by generations of commercial cattle producers and, during the last two decades, leading Australian lotfeeders.

“The report shows Hereford cattle need less feed than other breeds to reach weight targets and this is the feedback Hereford and Hereford-cross producers consistently receive from feedlots,” Mr Taylor said.

“Hereford and Hereford-cross herds are profitable because of their efficiency in turning feed into meat.”

• Herefords No 1 for feed efficiency (PDF)
• Summary of CRC research paper on NFI (PDF)
  

Below is the full version of the magazine article (in 3 parts) as pdf files. Please note that each one may take a few minutes for you to download, and as they are sourced from images are not as clear as usual (you may need to zoom in to around 50% on Acrobat Reader). The article will be retyped and displayed here in text form as soon as possible.

• Efficiency - Part 1
• Efficiency - Part 2
• Efficiency - Part 3
  

Low-Stress Weaning - Good for the Calves.. Good for the Cows.. Good for You

Weaning is the process of separating a calf from its mother. It typically takes place in the fall of the year. It can be a very traumatic time for both the cow and her calf. The key to success is to minimize stress. Calves that are stressed will go off feed, which causes them to be much more susceptible to sickness. Contented calves with a full belly will seldom, if ever, get sick. Cows that are stressed will lose weight and valuable body condition, which is needed to get them through the winter with minimum feed supplementation. I've also heard that ranchers who are stressed can become very difficult to live with.

Across-the-Fence weaning is a method we have successfully used for the last 12 years. Properly done, it is a very low-stress method of weaning for both the cow and her calf. Once the cows and calves have been separated, they are allowed to have some contact with one another across the fence for a few days. Most good fences will work. We use a very simple electric two-wire fence.

I have heard of several variations of across-the-fence weaning, but my favorite involves leaving both the cows and the calves out on grass or other forages. If you can keep your cows and calves out of dusty or muddy lots there will be much fewer health and other stress related problems. It's not natural for cattle to be confined in lots, eating harvested and/or processed feed. You will also discover that calves are much less likely to spook and stampede if they are not shut up. In fact, we have never had our calves spook and try to run through a fence since we quit shutting them up.

We like to move our pairs into the pasture the calves will be weaned in, a day or two prior to weaning so the calves will remain in familiar surroundings. This should be one of your better pastures. The calves will be able to locate all the water sources and perimeter fences while they are still with their mothers. For best results the primary water source for the calves should be located near the fence line. You should also avoid having corners in the dividing fence where animals on either side of the fence will tend to bunch up.

On weaning day we no longer ride out to gather pairs at daybreak. We relax after breakfast with a hot cup of coffee and allow the cows and calves to finish their early morning grazing routine. Around mid to late morning we slowly bring the pairs in to our sorting corral. Once the herd has been gathered, we go back to the house for another cup of coffee while the calves find their mothers for one last drink of milk. When we return, the herd will be quietly loafing. There won't be any bawling or signs of stress. Keep in mind, cows do not understand the concept of time. They may have some regular routines and habits, but time means nothing to them. Ranchers would do a much better job of handling their livestock if they threw away their watches. Why does anything have to be completed by a certain time?

The sorting facilities do not have to be fancy or expensive. All you really need is a big corral with two gates. One gate that lets the cows out to their pasture and another to let the calves back out to theirs. If you have allowed the herd sufficient loafing time, many of the cows will be ready to file out when you open their gate, especially if they think they are going to fresh pasture. This is no place for loud, whip swinging cowboys. If you are patient, the herd will essentially sort itself. Calves are less likely to go past you so they aren't hard to hold back. After the first jag of cows have left the corral you can let a few calves out the other gate. Before you know it, the sorting will be done and nobody will be stressed or upset.

A word of caution: If your cattle are not familiar with this type of handling, they won't handle exactly as I have described. Don't become discouraged, though. Throw away your watch, be very patient and work them as slowly and as quietly as you possibly can. The next time the herd is worked it will be much easier to handle. I've found that most cowherds are easier to train than most cowboys.

If possible, we like to leave two or three older animals with the calves to provide some reassurance and leadership. On their own, a herd of freshly weaned calves has absolutely no sense of leadership or direction. Since the calves are returning to the same pasture they came from, they usually won't be the least bit bothered by the day's activities. It will usually take at least two or three hours before they realize something is amiss. After a couple of hours of grazing in their new pasture, some of the cows will realize their calves are not close by, and will go in search of them.

Most people will say, "You can't wean a calf across the fence from its mother. It will never work. They will tear down the fence. It will create even more stress for the calf and the cow." Over the years I have spent considerable time watching individual cows and calves. Both will leave the fence to eat, but after a while the cow will return to check on her calf. When summoned by his mother, the calf will come back to the fence. As soon as they get across the fence from one another most of their anxiety will disappear. Often, you'll see a cow and her calf lying down on opposite sides of the fence, both contentedly chewing their cud. The next time you notice them they will probably be out grazing.

What if a couple of calves slip through the fence? Relax, it's not the end of the world. Whenever it is convenient just walk the pairs back to your sorting corral and separate them again. In twelve years, we have had only one calf and one cow that refused to stay where they belonged. After the second escape, we shut the calf up until the cows were moved. The fence-jumping cow was loaded up and hauled to the sale barn.

After three days, fewer and fewer cows will come back to the fence. They know where their calves are, but they are becoming less and less concerned about them. Likewise, the calves are beginning to realize they don't really need their mothers any more. It's as though you have allowed them the opportunity to gradually break the bond that has held them together for the last six months.

We always wait at least four days before we move the cows away from the calves. By this time they are usually so excited about going to fresh pasture that all we have to do is open the gates ahead of them. Very few, if any, will consider turning back for their calves.

In just four or five days, weaning is over. The cows are happy and storing up fat for the winter. The calves are healthy and adjusting well to life without mom. There is no shrink or weight loss. Some friends and customers of Pharo Cattle Company, Don and John Palmer, weighed their steer calves one year at weaning and again ten days later. Those steer calves gained a remarkable 1.5 pounds per day while being weaned on native grass across the fence from their mothers. This is something most of the so-called experts with degrees in animal health and nutrition will never be able to achieve.

Don Palmer suggests that you avoid riding or driving through the calves for the first few days of weaning.

Whenever the cows see you out there they will all come running to the fence. Don says, "Go back to the house and drink a cup of coffee while you observe the weaning process through a pair of binoculars." What are you going to do out there anyway? The calves don't need fed, don't need doctored and don't need you.

Weaning doesn't have to be as difficult or as stressful as we have been led to believe. The only thing that would be less stressful than across-the-fence weaning would be to not wean at all. Some of our customers are doing just that.

Editor's Note: Reprinted with permission from Kit Pharo, a no-nonsense seedstock producer in eastern Colorado. He shares his philosophies and opinions in a bimonthly newsletter that is mailed out to over 20,000 ranchers. To receive this free newsletter, call 1-800-311-0995 or send an email to Kit@PharoCattle.com.

Source: Kit Pharo, Pharo Cattle Co., Cheyenne Wells, CO

Hungary

Professor Ferenc Szabo - pictured left - (Dean of the Georgikon Faculty of Agriculture at Keszthely) and his colleagues have produced a paper entitled "Age at First Calving and the Longevity of Beef Cows".   Click here to view the paper (pdf version).