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Extensive finishing of weaned suckled heifers sired by Aberdeen-Angus or Charolais bulls from autumn-calving continental cross cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

D.G. Chapple*
Affiliation:
ADAS Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford, HR1 3PG, UK.
K.P.A. Wheeler
Affiliation:
ADAS Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford, HR1 3PG, UK.
J.J. Hyslop
Affiliation:
ADAS Redesdale, Rochester, Otterburn, Northumberland, NE19 1SB, UK
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Extract

Suckled calf production is the only financially viable cattle enterprise for the hills and uplands. The use of continental cross cows derived from the dairy herd has increased dramatically, in pursuit of faster-growing, higher-value progeny, and as a strategy to compensate for the adverse effect of the Holstein on carcass conformation. Continental sires are normally used on these types of suckler cows but the traditional Aberdeen-Angus sire is now selling at a premium and might be better suited for upland production. Previous ADAS trials have shown the potential of continental cross cows to increase calf growth rates in a hill environment (Keatinge et al., 1994), and to improve carcass quality when the progeny are finished intensively (Chapple et al., 1995). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of weaned heifers finished extensively at 22-24 months of age.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

Keatinge, R., Christensen, K.A. and Rowlinson, P. (1994) Comparative performance of two primiparous continental genotypes in a hill suckler herd: Reproductive performance. Animal Production, 58, p.432.Google Scholar
Chapple, D.G., Davies, M.H., Grundy, H.F. and Keatinge, R. (1995) Comparative performance of two primiparous continental genotypes in a hill suckler herd: Calf performance. Animal Production, 60, p.525.Google Scholar