Growth rates of Friesian x Friesian, Hereford x Friesian and Simmental x Friesian steers in several environments

G.C. Everitt, K.E. Jury and J.D.B. Ward

Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1975, 35: 119-128

H x F steers were lighter at birth and grew slower than S x F and F x F steers. At 70 weeks of age mean liveweights were 337.1, 316.3 and 339.5 kg for F x F, H x F and S x F steers, respectively.

Sires within breeds differed significantly in the live weight-for-age of their progeny, indicating considerable opportunity for selection. Dairy farm environment exerted a highly significant effect on subsequent liveweights of steers. Compensatory growth did not occur in steers which had been poorly reared.

Attention is drawn to the implications of these results on performance testing of beef cattle and on breed and sire progeny comparisons.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;