Are yearling heifer mating and more productive beef cow breeds a worthwhile use of winter feed

The efficiency of winter feed use for weaner calf production was compared in a yearling heifer mating system compared to a 2 year old fmt mating system in traditional and dairy x beef cows. These computer modelling analyses illustrated. with yearling heifer mating compared to 2 year old first mating, that the total weight of calf weaned per unit of winter feed required is increased by only 2% (Angus dams) and 6% (Hereford x Friesian dams, HxF). With HxF dams compared to Angus dams, the total weight of calf weaned per unit of winter feed required was increased by 8% (2 year old first mating) and 13% (yearling heifer mating). Yearling heifermating rather than 2 year old first mating within a traditionalbeef cow breed is questioned, when compared at the same winter feed requirement. ‘Ihe superiority of dairy x beef breeding cows on the basis of calf production from winter feed is ccmfiied by this analysis. Furthermore, this superiority is maximum when yearling heifer mating is also adopted.