The Selected Factors Influenced Growth Ability to Weaning of Aberdeen Angus Cattle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of sex of calves, year of calving, cows’ parity and sire effect on growth ability to weaning. The evaluation of growth indicators of Aberdeen Angus cattle was performed in the period of 4 years (2010 to 2013) in 2 different farms. A total of 272 calves (bulls, n = 141; heifers, n = 131) were monitored. The indicators of live weight at birth, live weight at the age of 120 and 210 days, average daily gains from birth to 120 and 210 days of age were observed. Statistical software SAS 9.3 was used to analyze the results. The highest result growth parameters of calves were observed from cows on 3rd and 4th parity. In 2012 we observed the highest values of calves’ growth ability compare to others. In evaluating the sire effect differences (P < 0.05–0.01) were found mainly between the top three sires from the first evaluated herd (PAA240, ZAA562, ZAA595) and three sires from the second evaluated herd (ZAA675, ZAA697, ZAA762). The order of sires according to weight in 210 days of their offspring is then almost perfect reflection of the relative breeding values (RBV) for the direct effect of growth.

Keywords

• weaning weight
• daily gain
• sire effect
• cows’ parity
• Aberdeen angus