Performance of straightbred Charolais and Aberdeen Angus calves or crosses with Nelore

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the weight and weight gain of straightbred Charolais (C) and Aberdeen Angus (A) or Nelore crossbred (NC = 1/2 Nelore - 1/2 Charolais; NA = 1/2 Nelore - 1/2 A. Angus) calves. The correlation between the cow milk production and the calf weight gain, was also studied. A total of 69 calves, kept mainly on native pasture, were used. Average birth weight of crossbred (NC and NA) calves was similar (P > 0.05) to straightbred calves (C and A). However, crossbred calves had a higher (P < 0.01) daily gain from birth to weaning than straightbred calves (0.535 vs 0.462 kg). The weaning happened with average age of 235 days. Calves of the Charolais group (C and NC) were heavier (P < 0.05) at birth than those of the Angus group (A and NA), respectively, 33.1 and 30.7 kg. The Charolais group calves had also a higher (P < 0.01) daily gain from birth to weaning than the Angus group (0.544 vs 0.453 kg). Correlation between calf daily gain and cow milk production was always significant (P < 0.01) up to 182 days of age.