EFFECTS OF COW TYPE, FORAGE TYPE, AND MILK ON CALF GAIN
Oklahoma and Arkansas scientists bred Angus, Brahman, and Angus-Brahman cross cows to Polled Hereford sires. Cows were grazed on either common bermuda or endophyte-infested fescue. Milk yield and calf preweaning gain was higher on bermuda and lowest for Angus dams (especially on fescue), intermediate for Brahman, and highest for crossbreds. The effect of increased milk on calf gain was greatest in lower milking types. The authors concluded that the effect of milk production on calf gain diminishes above optimum levels. That is, more milk above low levels is beneficial, but higher levels may not be. This agrees with several other reports.
CURRENT EPDs AND BIF GUIDELINES AND PROCEEDINGS
Recent breed averages for EPDs, which also can be accessed at the Beef Improvement Federation website, www.beefimprovement.org (click on "Proceedings" and look for "ACROSS-BREED EPD TABLES FOR THE YEAR 2002":). The BIF website also has the new Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Programs and the complete Proceedings of the 2002 BIF Annual Meeting.
CASTRATE EARLY OR DELAY?
A recent review of research shows that intact bulls and steers implanted at castration (2-3 months old) weigh about the same at weaning. Calves cut or banded at 2-3 months gain better after weaning than calves banded at 7-8 months. Calves cut at 2-3 months gain better after weaning and have less sickness and medicine cost than calves cut or banded when they're started on grazing or feeding. And calves castrated at 150 lb or 500 lb eventually produce higher-marbling carcasses than those castrated at 700 lb or 900 lb. So, early castration and implanting results in just as much weight at weaning, better gains and less sickness after weaning, and improved carcass quality.
FEED OR GROW AND FEED?
Nebraska researchers compared feeding calves for 211 days after weaning with those wintered on corn stalks for 197 days (1.17 ADG), summer-grazed for 118 days (2.05 ADG), and then fed for 90 days (4.32 ADG). In the feedyard, the wintered and grazed cattle had higher feed intake, poorer feed efficiency, and higher ADG and produced heavier carcasses with larger ribeyes but poorer yield grades. There was no difference in marbling. Economic data were not reported.
ARE YOU READY TO CLONE THAT OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL?
Don't count on it. Researchers are finding that clones have problems. Many genes in clones are not expressed correctly, leading to genetic defects. This has nothing to do with therapeutic cloning where tissue from embryonic stem cells is placed in fully grown animals to treat certain diseases. That process shows great promise and no safety risks. The politics is another matter.
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