The objectives were to determine the association of hair shedding to performance in beef cattle and estimate genetic parameters for hair shedding scores. Dams were observed for shedding and given a score of 1 to 5. The month of first shedding (MFS) was determined when a female reached an average shedding score of 3.25 or less. Performance data included calf bw and d205wt and were considered as a trait of the dam. Hereford dams with a MFS of March weaned calves 18.37 + or - 8.85 kg heavier than dams with a MFS of June (P < 0.01). Angus dams with a MFS of March had calves with bw 7.75 + or - 1.64 kg greater than dams with a June MFS (P < 0.001). The heritability estimate for MFS was 0.11 + or - 0.06. Timing of hair shedding may have an influence on growth performance for certain breeds.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-2935 |
| Date | 15 August 2014 |
| Creators | Plank, Samuel Randall |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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