Are yearling heifer mating and more productive beef cow breeds a
worthwhile use of winter feed?
W.H. McMillan, D.G. McCall
MAF Technology, Whatawhata Research Centre, PB 3089, Hamilton,
New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1991, 51: 265-270
The efficiency of winter feed use for weaner calf production was
compared in a yearling heifer mating system compared to a 2 year old
first mating system in traditional and dairy x beef cows. These
computer modelling analyses illustrated, with yearling heifer mating
compared to 2 year old first mating, that the total weight of calf
weaned per unit of winter feed required is increased by only 2% (Angus
dams) and 6% (Hereford x Friesian dams, HxF). With HxF dams compared to
Angus dams, the total weight of calf weaned per unit of winter feed
required was increased by 8% (2 year old first mating) and 13% (yearling
heifer mating).
Yearling heifer mating rather than 2 year old first mating within a
traditional beef cow breed is questioned, when compared at the same
winter feed requirement. The superiority of dairy x beef breeding cows
on the basis of calf production from winter feed is confirmed by this
analysis. Furthermore, this superiority is maximum when yearling
heifer mating is also adopted.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Beef cows; yearling heifer mating; weaning weight; calves; cross
breeding; herd performance; feed requirements; dairy x beef; efficiency
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
