Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1957

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Husbandry

Major Professor

Harold J. Smith

Committee Members

Charles S. Hobbs, R. L. Murphree

Abstract

For many years, the criteria for selection of beef animals has been based largely on visual standards of excellence. Visual appraisal standards as reflected in type scores do have a place in selection of replacement individuals in a herd but should not be the sole criterion taken into consideration. It has been generally recognised that individual ability of an animal to produce with respect to other performance traits and the records of the animal's offspring also should be considered.

It is fairly well established that there are significant differences in weaning weights and other characteristics of calves due to age of cow and sex of calf. If performance selection is to be used most effectively the producer needs adjustment factors that will correct calf records for differences in age of cows and the sex of their offspring. These differences apparently vary in degree because of variations in environmental conditions in herds in different locations. This indicates the necessity, where possible, of using adjustment factors developed for specific herds or locations.

Much of the previous work in this field has been with range cattle. Although the reported observations in range herds are in fairly close agreement with the estimates reported in Southeastern Herds, adjustment factors are needed that have been derived from herds in Tennessee and can be applied to other herds in this state.

It is hoped that the results of this study will provide the beef cattle producer in Tennessee with a set of correction factors for sex of calf and age of dam and that will enable him to use performance testing more effectively as a basis for selection and culling.

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