Liveweight and pre-weaning growth in suckled calves sired by either Aberdeen Angus or Charolais bulls from contrasting autumn-calving continental x dairy cows over three years

Abstract

Little information is available on the performance of suckled calves sired by either traditional UK beef breeds or continental beef breeds in conjunction with modern continental x dairy suckler cow genotypes. The objectives of this study were to determine gestation length, calf liveweight (LW) and pre-weaning daily liveweight gain (DLWG) from contrasting suckler dam and terminal sire breeds when managed within an upland suckler herd.