CALF PRODUCTION FROM YOUNG F1 COWS OF HALF HEREFORD BREEDING

Plasma corticoids and liveweights were measured at 49 day intervals and compared with calf production from female progeny of Shorthorn, Jersey, Brahman, Charolais, Sahiwal, Simmental and Friesian sires mated to Hereford dams. A total of 400 cows were located at Struan and Wandilo in the South East of South Australia and Wanbi in the Murray Mallee. Each breed type was represented by approximately 20 cows per site, Cows at Wandilo have weaned three calves, at Wanbi one calf, and Struan cows have their first calves at foot. Total weaned weight of calf per cow kept at Wandilo was Shorthorn 554 (kg/cow), Charolais 653, Brahman 487, Sahiw'al 588 and Jersey 732.