BRAHMAN-BRITISH BEEF CATTLE CROSSES IN CANADA: I. WEANED CALF PRODUCTION UNDER RANGE CONDITIONS

Three Brahman (B) bulls were mated with Hereford (H), Angus (A) and Shorthorn (S) cows and the F1 progenies were evaluated for beef production in comparison with grade Hereford cattle under range conditions in southeastern Alberta. The crossbred heifers were mated with Hereford bulls, as were their [Formula: see text]-Brahman female progenies. Calves were weaned on November 1 at 6 to 7 months of age.Each of the three Brahman-sire progeny groups, numbering 12, 6 and 146 calves born, averaged higher than contemporary Herefords in performance.B × A and B × S cows surpassed all other groups in weaned calf crop percentage. Hereford calves were lighter than F1 and heavier than [Formula: see text]-Brahman calves at birth. Breeding-group means and standard errors for weaning weight were (a) Generation 1: Hereford, 155 ± 2.2; B × H, 165 ± 2.4; B × A, 176 ± 2.9; and B × S, 175 ± 3.2 kg; (b) Generation 2: Hereford, 150 ± 2.7; H × (B × H), 184 ± 2.2; H × (B + A), 191 ± 2.4; and H × (B × S), 195 ± 2.6 kg; and (c) Generation 3: Hereford, 152 ± 3.8; H × [H × (B × H)], 170 ± 3.2; H × [H × (B × A)], 182 ± 4.1; and H × [H × (B × S)], 186 ± 4.0 kg.An extended study of B × H and Hereford cows showed the crossbreds to be superior in longevity and lifetime productivity.Further exploratory crossbreeding including the Brahman is in progress at the Lethbridge Research Station.