Comparisons of Brahman and Continental European Crossbred Cows for Calving Ease in a Subtropical Environment

Abstract

Data from 504 calvings of dams that were produced by breeding Brahman, Chianina, Maine Anjou and Simmental sires to Angus and Hereford females were evaluated for calving ease and factors affecting dystocia. Three-breed-cross calves were produced from all eight dam breed groups by naturally mating Red Poll bulls to yearling and 2-yr-old females and Charolais and Gelbvieh bulls to 2-, 3- and 4-yr-old cows. Dystocia and mortality were not affected by age or weight of cow, but pelvic area increased with increases in age and weight. Brahman-sired cows had the least dystocia (2.4%), the lowest calf mortality rates (1.2%), the largest pelvic height to pelvic width ratios (1.14) and produced calves with the smallest birth weights relative to their weight and the size of their pelvises. Chianina-sired cows had the largest body weights (377.2 kg), produced calves that were heaviest at birth (36.1 kg) and had the largest calf birth weight to cow weight and calf birth weight to pelvic area ratios. Simmental-sired cows had the smallest body weights (353.0 kg), the smallest pelvic areas (251.5 cm2) and produced the smallest calves at birth (31.5 kg). Maine Anjou-sired cows tended to be intermediate between Chianina- and Simmental-sired cows for all traits studied. Brahman-sired cows had less calving difficulty than the Continental European-sired cows evaluated under the conditions of this experiment.