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Phenotypic evaluation of pre-weaning growth traits of Akaushi- (Wagyu), Angus- and Brahman-sired calves in tropical conditions

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Abstract

The objective was to assess the effect of sire breed on birth weight, average daily gain from birth to weaning, and actual weaning weight of calves. The calves were produced by AI using semen of five Akaushi (Wagyu), six Angus, and six Brahman bulls. Dams of calves were Beefmaster (n = 60) and Brown Swiss x Zebu (n = 21). The three sire breeds were used on both dam genetic types to produce the calves (45 males and 36 females). Each dam genetic type was raised in two ranches; therefore, all calves were born in four ranches, in the same calendar year. Average age at weaning weight m easurement was 186 days. The traits were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS. The statistical model included the fixed effects of sire breed, dam genetic type, calf sex, ranch, and birth season within sire breed-ranch; sire within breed of sire was included as a random effect (except for weaning weight; P > 0.05). In addition, the model for weaning weight included calf age at weaning as a covariate. Birth weights and average daily gains of Akaushi-, Angus- and Brahman-sired calves were similar (P > 0.05). In contrast, Angus-sired calves were heavier (P < 0.05) at weaning than Akaushi- and Brahman-sired calves. Calves out of Brown Swiss x Zebu dams had higher (P < 0.05) pre-weaning average daily gains than calves out of Beefmaster dams. Angus-sired calves performed better at weaning.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to no consent was given by herd owners, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to ranch owners for participating in this study.

Funding

The Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias supported this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Campo Experimental Tecomán, Colima, México

    Alejandro Yáñez-Muñoz

  2. INIFAP, Sitio Experimental Las Margaritas, Hueytamalco, Puebla, México

    Jorge Víctor Rosete-Fernández

  3. INIFAP, Campo Experimental Bajío. Celaya, Guanajuato, México

    Tomás Arturo González-Orozco

  4. Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Veracruz, México

    Ángel Ríos-Utrera

Authors
  1. Alejandro Yáñez-Muñoz
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Contributions

Conceptualization, Á.R.U. and J.V.R.F.; methodology, Á.R.U.; software, Á.R.U.; formal analysis, Á.R.U.; resources, A.Y.M. and T.A.G.O.; data curation, Á.R.U. and J.V.R.F.; writing-original draft preparation, Á.R.U.; writing-review and editing, J.V.R.F., A.Y.M. and T.A.G.O. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ángel Ríos-Utrera.

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Yáñez-Muñoz, A., Rosete-Fernández, J.V., González-Orozco, T.A. et al. Phenotypic evaluation of pre-weaning growth traits of Akaushi- (Wagyu), Angus- and Brahman-sired calves in tropical conditions. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 210 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03622-3

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