Preliminary results of selection for yearling or 18-month weight
in Angus and Hereford cattle
R.L. Baker, A.H. Carter, J.C. Hunter
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1980, 40: 304-311
Selection herds were established in 1971 to compare in Angus
cattle the effectiveness of selection on 13-month liveweight (with the
first mating at 14 months of age) with selection on 18-month weight
(with first mating as 2-year-olds). A control herd of Angus cattle is
also maintained with random selection of replacement bulls and heifers
and first mating as -year-olds. A yearling mated Hereford herd selected
on 13-month weight is also kept. Relative to the random-bred control
line, the Angus and Hereford herds selected for 13-month weight improved
in both 13-month and 18-month weight at about twice the rate at which
the 189-month selection line improved. Sires from the 13- and 18-month
selection lines are also evaluated against Angus sires from the
industry. Bulls bred in these selection herds leave progeny of equal
merit for growth and carcass weight to those from a "superior"
sample of industry sires.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
