Comparison of crossbred cows containing various proportions of Brahman in spring or fall calving systems: II. Milk production

Abstract

Monthly estimates of 24-h milk yield were obtained on 160 spring-calving and 153 fall-calving crossbred cows containing various proportions (0, 1/4 or 1/2) of Brahman breeding, all bred to Limousin sires. Milk production was measured using weigh-suckle-weigh procedures. Interactions between crossbred group and season of calving were not significant. Across seasons, milk production rarely was affected by proportion of Brahman breeding; however, milk yield, averaged over six monthly measurements, was greater (P less than .10) for cows out of Hereford dams than for cows out of Angus dams. Averaged over six monthly measurements, estimated 24-h milk yield ranged from 5.3 kg for Hereford x Angus to 6.2 kg for Brahman x Hereford cows. Season of calving affected milk yield during the first and fourth measurement periods. Fall-calving cows produced more (P less than .01) milk during the first period whereas spring-calving cows produced more milk during the fourth period. Lactation patterns for the two seasons differed. Spring-calving cows had a more typical lactation curve, whereas the curve for fall-calving cows showed more variability in milk yield throughout lactation. Phenotypic correlations between monthly measurements of 24-h milk yield and calf performance tended to be moderate and positive within the spring group. Correlations for the fall group, although positive, tended to be weaker than those found in the spring group.