Data on 5130 registered Hereford cattle owned and managed by the San Carlos Apache Indian tribe were used to study cow productivity in terms of Most Probable Producing Ability and fertility. Analyses of variance and regression analyses were utilized to investigate sources of variation in the weaning weights of the calves and in their day of birth (which was a measure of cow fertility). Heritability estimates for various weights and gains and correlations (genetic, environmental and phenotypic) for weights, gains and MPPA were also calculated. Large year effects caused the most variation in weaning weight. Important too, were the effects of age of dam, interaction between year and age of dam and regression of weaning weight on day of birth. The repeatability of weaning weight was .25. This value was low compared to the average usually seen. Heritability estimates for weaning weight were .05 for males and .18 for females. Not much progress could be made selecting for weight at that stage. The heritability of postweaning weights were higher. The values for 20-month-weight were .46 for males and .31 for females, indicating reasonable progress could be made selecting for weight at that age. Twelve-month-weight had heritability estimates of .21 (males) and .17 (females). Since a weight loss occurred during the period between weaning and the 12-month-stage, the trait being measured may be a response to nutritional stress. The genetic correlations between weights at various stages were high. Some of the same genes are responsible for weights at various stages of growth. Correlations (genetic) between the weights and MPPA were generally low except the correlation of 12-month-weight with MPPA (.41). Day of birth measured as a trait of the calf was a reflection of gestation length. Heritability estimates for day of birth were .26 for calves of cows dry during the breeding season and .04 for the calves of lactating cows. When calculated as a trait of the cow, day of birth was considered a measure of cow fertility with a resulting heritability of .09. In evaluating overall cow productivity both MPPA and fertility must be considered jointly, perhaps in the form of a selection index or through independent culling levels.

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Calf crop born, calf crop weaned, calf birth weight, calf weaning weight, and cow weight at weaning were evaluated from 1996 to 2009 in Brahman (B) and Hereford (H) straightbred and crossbred cows (n = 1,515). The objective of these analyses was to estimate heterosis for F1 and F2 females for these reproductive and maternal traits. Breed groups included B, H, F1 Hereford-sired (HB) and Brahman-sired (BH) cows (n = 114 purebreds, 55 F1, 52 F2). Second generation breed groups included cows sired by HB and out of HB dams (F2HB) and BH dams (HBxBH); and cows sired by BH and out of HB dams (BHxHB) and BH dams (F2BH). Least squares means were calculated for calf crop born, calf crop weaned, and calf birth and weaning weights, using numerous different models, where the trait was the dependent variable. Previous research and these preliminary analyses showed that the effects of year and cow age are real as is their interaction each other and with breed type. In each attempted model designed to remove these effects, different breed groups received excessive adjustments, rendering the resultant heterosis estimates inappropriate. To more clearly assess differences, presentation and visual evaluation of unadjusted means were conducted. The model for mature cow weight (cows at 6 years of age) included breed group as fixed effects and cow within breed group and year as random effects. F2 cows appeared to retain approximately 39% of F1 heterosis for calf crop born and approximately 50% for calf crop weaned. HB x BH cows delivered the lightest calves at 33.9 (4.74) kg and F2BH had the heaviest calves at birth at 36.6 (5.37) kg. BH cows weaned the heaviest calves at 240.9 (38.1) kg and F2BH cows weaned the lightest calves at 208.4 (31.9) kg. Sire breed of calf and age of cow appear to be important factors regarding weight traits. Retained heterosis for cow weight at weaning was higher than expected at 73%. Sire breed group differences (HB vs. BH) for these traits in F2 cows may merit further investigation.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar diferentes modelos estatísticos com diferentes pressuposições para definir o melhor modelo que descreva a presença de interação genótipo x ambiente no ganho de peso pós-desmama ajustado (GPD345) de bovinos Hereford, mediante o estudo de normas de reação ao ambiente, obtidas por regressão aleatória, usando uma abordagem bayesiana. Quatro modelos hierárquicos de normas de reação (MHNR) e um modelo animal padrão (MA) foram empregados por meio do programa INTERGEN. O MHNRk utiliza as soluções de grupos contemporâneos estimadas previamente pelo modelo animal padrão (MA) e as considera como nível ambiental e o de uma única análise, MHNRS, que estima simultaneamente esses dois conjuntos de incógnitas considerando nas duas metodologias a variância residual homogênea (hm) e heterogênea (ht). Pelo critério de informação da "deviance", o MHRNshm foi que apresentou melhor ajuste aos dados, seguido pelo MHNRsht, MHNRKhm, MHNRkht e o pior ajuste foi obtido pelo MA, já pelo Fator de Bayes os MHNR homoscedásticos foram os que melhor ajustaram-se aos dados. Pela ordenada preditiva condicional o MA, foi melhor em relação aos MHNR. As herdabilidades nos MHNR foram crescentes nos gradientes ambientais em GPD345 de -60; 0 e +60 kg. As correlações genéticas entre o nível e inclinação das normas de reação foram de alta magnitude caracterizando efeito de escala em interação GxE. Os modelos hierárquicos de normas de reação são eficientes para descrever as alterações nos componentes de variância em função do ambiente ao qual o genótipo está exposto bem como para descrever a presença de interação genótipo x ambiente na característica GPD345 em bovinos Hereford. / The objective of that study was to evaluate different statistical models with different presuppositions to define the best model than it describes the presence of genotype by environment interaction in the characteristic weight post weaning gain (GPD345) of Hereford cattle, by the study of reaction norms to the environment, obtained by aleatory regression, using an bayesian approach. Four hierarchical models of reaction norms (MHNR) and one animal model (MA) they were used through the program INTERGEN. MHNRk uses the solutions of contemporary groups previously esteemed by the standard animal model (MA) and it considers them as environmental level and the one of an only analysis, MHNRS, that esteems those two groups simultaneously of incognito considering in the two methodologies the homogeneous residual variance (hm) and heterogeneous (ht). For the criterion of information of the "deviance", MHRNshm was that it presented better adjustment to the data, followed for MHNRsht, MHNRKhm, MHNRkht and the worst adjustment was obtained by MA, already for the Factor of Bayes the MHNR homoscedastic the ones that best was adjusted to the data were. For the conditional predictive ordinate MA, was better in relation to MHNR. The heritability in MHNR were growing in the environmental gradients in GPD345 -60 Kg; 0 Kg and +60 Kg. The genetic correlations between the level and inclination of the reaction norms were of high magnitude characterizing scale effect in interaction GxE. The hierarchical models of reaction norms are efficient to describe the alterations in the variance components in function of the environment to which the genotipe is exposed and to describe the presence of genotype by environment interaction in the characteristic GPD345 in Hereford catlle.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar diferentes modelos estatísticos com diferentes pressuposições para definir o melhor modelo que descreva a presença de interação genótipo x ambiente no ganho de peso pós-desmama ajustado (GPD345) de bovinos Hereford, mediante o estudo de normas de reação ao ambiente, obtidas por regressão aleatória, usando uma abordagem bayesiana. Quatro modelos hierárquicos de normas de reação (MHNR) e um modelo animal padrão (MA) foram empregados por meio do programa INTERGEN. O MHNRk utiliza as soluções de grupos contemporâneos estimadas previamente pelo modelo animal padrão (MA) e as considera como nível ambiental e o de uma única análise, MHNRS, que estima simultaneamente esses dois conjuntos de incógnitas considerando nas duas metodologias a variância residual homogênea (hm) e heterogênea (ht). Pelo critério de informação da "deviance", o MHRNshm foi que apresentou melhor ajuste aos dados, seguido pelo MHNRsht, MHNRKhm, MHNRkht e o pior ajuste foi obtido pelo MA, já pelo Fator de Bayes os MHNR homoscedásticos foram os que melhor ajustaram-se aos dados. Pela ordenada preditiva condicional o MA, foi melhor em relação aos MHNR. As herdabilidades nos MHNR foram crescentes nos gradientes ambientais em GPD345 de -60; 0 e +60 kg. As correlações genéticas entre o nível e inclinação das normas de reação foram de alta magnitude caracterizando efeito de escala em interação GxE. Os modelos hierárquicos de normas de reação são eficientes para descrever as alterações nos componentes de variância em função do ambiente ao qual o genótipo está exposto bem como para descrever a presença de interação genótipo x ambiente na característica GPD345 em bovinos Hereford. / The objective of that study was to evaluate different statistical models with different presuppositions to define the best model than it describes the presence of genotype by environment interaction in the characteristic weight post weaning gain (GPD345) of Hereford cattle, by the study of reaction norms to the environment, obtained by aleatory regression, using an bayesian approach. Four hierarchical models of reaction norms (MHNR) and one animal model (MA) they were used through the program INTERGEN. MHNRk uses the solutions of contemporary groups previously esteemed by the standard animal model (MA) and it considers them as environmental level and the one of an only analysis, MHNRS, that esteems those two groups simultaneously of incognito considering in the two methodologies the homogeneous residual variance (hm) and heterogeneous (ht). For the criterion of information of the "deviance", MHRNshm was that it presented better adjustment to the data, followed for MHNRsht, MHNRKhm, MHNRkht and the worst adjustment was obtained by MA, already for the Factor of Bayes the MHNR homoscedastic the ones that best was adjusted to the data were. For the conditional predictive ordinate MA, was better in relation to MHNR. The heritability in MHNR were growing in the environmental gradients in GPD345 -60 Kg; 0 Kg and +60 Kg. The genetic correlations between the level and inclination of the reaction norms were of high magnitude characterizing scale effect in interaction GxE. The hierarchical models of reaction norms are efficient to describe the alterations in the variance components in function of the environment to which the genotipe is exposed and to describe the presence of genotype by environment interaction in the characteristic GPD345 in Hereford catlle.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar diferentes modelos estatísticos com diferentes pressuposições para definir o melhor modelo que descreva a presença de interação genótipo x ambiente no ganho de peso pós-desmama ajustado (GPD345) de bovinos Hereford, mediante o estudo de normas de reação ao ambiente, obtidas por regressão aleatória, usando uma abordagem bayesiana. Quatro modelos hierárquicos de normas de reação (MHNR) e um modelo animal padrão (MA) foram empregados por meio do programa INTERGEN. O MHNRk utiliza as soluções de grupos contemporâneos estimadas previamente pelo modelo animal padrão (MA) e as considera como nível ambiental e o de uma única análise, MHNRS, que estima simultaneamente esses dois conjuntos de incógnitas considerando nas duas metodologias a variância residual homogênea (hm) e heterogênea (ht). Pelo critério de informação da "deviance", o MHRNshm foi que apresentou melhor ajuste aos dados, seguido pelo MHNRsht, MHNRKhm, MHNRkht e o pior ajuste foi obtido pelo MA, já pelo Fator de Bayes os MHNR homoscedásticos foram os que melhor ajustaram-se aos dados. Pela ordenada preditiva condicional o MA, foi melhor em relação aos MHNR. As herdabilidades nos MHNR foram crescentes nos gradientes ambientais em GPD345 de -60; 0 e +60 kg. As correlações genéticas entre o nível e inclinação das normas de reação foram de alta magnitude caracterizando efeito de escala em interação GxE. Os modelos hierárquicos de normas de reação são eficientes para descrever as alterações nos componentes de variância em função do ambiente ao qual o genótipo está exposto bem como para descrever a presença de interação genótipo x ambiente na característica GPD345 em bovinos Hereford. / The objective of that study was to evaluate different statistical models with different presuppositions to define the best model than it describes the presence of genotype by environment interaction in the characteristic weight post weaning gain (GPD345) of Hereford cattle, by the study of reaction norms to the environment, obtained by aleatory regression, using an bayesian approach. Four hierarchical models of reaction norms (MHNR) and one animal model (MA) they were used through the program INTERGEN. MHNRk uses the solutions of contemporary groups previously esteemed by the standard animal model (MA) and it considers them as environmental level and the one of an only analysis, MHNRS, that esteems those two groups simultaneously of incognito considering in the two methodologies the homogeneous residual variance (hm) and heterogeneous (ht). For the criterion of information of the "deviance", MHRNshm was that it presented better adjustment to the data, followed for MHNRsht, MHNRKhm, MHNRkht and the worst adjustment was obtained by MA, already for the Factor of Bayes the MHNR homoscedastic the ones that best was adjusted to the data were. For the conditional predictive ordinate MA, was better in relation to MHNR. The heritability in MHNR were growing in the environmental gradients in GPD345 -60 Kg; 0 Kg and +60 Kg. The genetic correlations between the level and inclination of the reaction norms were of high magnitude characterizing scale effect in interaction GxE. The hierarchical models of reaction norms are efficient to describe the alterations in the variance components in function of the environment to which the genotipe is exposed and to describe the presence of genotype by environment interaction in the characteristic GPD345 in Hereford catlle.

Sendo o tamanho corporal uma importante variável nos sistemas de produção pecuária no Brasil, analisaram-se os desempenhos de machos e fêmeas da raça Hereford, de diferentes tamanhos corporais, desde a desmama ao abate dos machos e ao primeiro parto nas fêmeas. Os animais foram classificados em escalas de FRAME, sendo 1, 2 e 3 chamados posteriormente de Pequenos, Médios e Grandes, respectivamente. As avaliações mensais foram capazes de mostrar diferenças de desenvolvimento e desempenho tanto em machos quanto em fêmeas em determinadas épocas do ano. As variáveis analisadas nas fêmeas foram peso e condição corporal durante todo o trabalho, variação de peso, altura da garupa, taxa de prenhez e idade ao primeiro parto. Nos machos, por sua vez, as variáveis analisadas, da desmama ao abate, foram peso, altura da garupa, variação de peso, peso de abate e características de carcaça, além do peso dos cortes comerciais e seus rendimentos. As diferenças encontradas entre as fêmeas Pequenas, Médias e Grandes, existentes em alguns parâmetros avaliados não foram capazes de afetar a taxa de prenhez aos 14 meses de idade. As diferenças de tamanhos corporais afetaram a idade à concepção, sendo as Pequenas e Médias mais jovens, porém as relações entre tamanho corporal e desempenho reprodutivo de fêmeas não ficaram totalmente evidenciadas, provavelmente pela pequena diferença entre tamanhos corporais dos animais do rebanho avaliado. Nos machos, foram determinadas diferenças de desempenho e desenvolvimento com magnitudes variadas conforme a época do ano. As diferenças de peso oscilaram em 30kg entre grupos. O tamanho corporal afetou o peso de abate, peso de carcaça quente e de alguns cortes comerciais. As diferenças encontradas, embora por vezes significativas, podem estar atribuídas à proximidade de tamanho dos grupos. Esta proximidade de tamanhos, apenas um a dois pontos na escala BIF, não permitiu observar maiores diferenças. / As the body size an important variable in livestock production systems in Brazil, analyzed the performance of males and females of Hereford, of different body sizes, from weaning to slaughter the males and in females at first calving. The animals were classified into FRAME scales, with 1, 2 and 3 later called the Small, Medium and Large, respectively. The monthly evaluations were able to show differences in development and performance in both males and females in at certain times of the year. The variables analyzed were in females weight and body condition during the whole experiment, changes in weight, hip height, pregnancy rate and age at first birth. In males, in turn, the variables analyzed, from weaning to slaughter, weight, hip height, weight variation, slaughter weight and carcass traits, along with the weight of retail cuts and their income. The differences between females Small, Medium and Large, in certain parameters were not able to affect the pregnancy rate at 14 months of age. Differences in body size affected the age at conception, and the Small and Medium younger, but the relationships between body size and reproductive performance of females were not fully observed, probably due to the small difference between body sizes of animals in the herd assessed. In males, were certain differences in performance and development with magnitudes varied depending on the season. The weight differences between groups ranged in 30kg. The body size affect the slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and some commercial cuts. The differences found, although sometimes significant, can be attributed to the proximity of group size. This proximity of sizes, just two points on a scale BIF, not allowed to observe major differences.