Feedlot Performance of Progeny of Hereford, Hereford × Holstein and Holstein Cows

The effects of breed of dam and level of winter supplement on subsequent postweaning feedlot performance of 213 steer and heifer calves from Hereford, Hereford × Holstein (Crossbred) and Holstein cows were determined. Calves fed in 2 succeeding years were sired by Angus (trials 1 and 2) and Charolais (trials 3 and 4) bulls. Each year calves that had been reared on range preweaning were group-fed (trials 1 and 3) and calves that had been reared in drylot preweaning were individually fed (trials 2 and 4). Very few of a large number of variables were influenced by level of supplement received by the dam. In breed of dam comparisons, Holstein progeny (calves from Holstein cows) was heavier initially (62 kg) and at slaughter (113 kg) than Hereford progeny (calves from Hereford cows). Crossbred progeny (calves from Crossbred cows) was intermediate for these traits. Holstein progeny was taller (9.5 cm) and longer (7.1 cm) initially, taller (10.4 cm) and longer (9.8 cm) at slaughter, required a longer feeding period (49 days) and was older at slaughter (49 days) than Hereford progeny; Crossbred progeny was intermediate in these traits but tended to respond more like Hereford than Holstein progency. Hereford and Crossbred progeny gained faster (.13 and .08 kg daily) than Holstein progeny. Crossbred and Holstein progeny consumed more daily feed (4 and 11%) and more total feed (14 and 43%), and required more feed per unit of gain (9 and 27%) than Hereford progeny.