Comparisons of Inbred Lines and Linecrosses for Performance Traits in Hereford Range Cattle

Abstract

Ten years of data on three inbred Hereford lines and their linecrosses resulting from matings on a common inbred tester line produced at the North Montana Branch Experiment Station, Havre, Montana, were used in the study. Various sources of variation affecting performance traits, including years, lines, age of dam, sex, and age of calf are evaluated and discussed. Comparisons of inbred lines with their linecrosses indicate that in general line performance for final weight is predictive of relative growth rates at various stages of development in the respective linecrosses. Comparisons between linecrosses and the mean of the parental lines show an average hybrid advantage of 0.1, 4.6, 4.3, and 4.7% for birth weight, weaning weight, postweaning daily gain, and final weight, respectively. Copyright © 1963. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1963 by American Society of Animal Science