Publication:
A comparison of the reproductive efficiency of Senepol, and Charbray crossed cows and the pre-weaning growth of their progeny

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Authors
Lugo-Ruíz, Mariné
Embargoed Until
Advisor
Casas-Guernica, Américo
College
College of Agricultural Sciences
Department
Department of Animal Science
Degree Level
M.S.
Publisher
Date
2019-07-10
Abstract
Senepol and Senepol crossbred genotypes have become some of the main beef cattle used in Puerto Rico. However, few studies have evaluated their reproductive efficiency on the island and their merit in breeding programs. The objective was to evaluate the reproductive efficiency of purebred Senepol and Senepol x Charbray crossbred cows by comparing pregnancy, calving and weaning rates along with calving, and weaning weight as well as weight loss during the pre-weaning period. Results showed that purebred Senepol cows performed as well as crossbred cows for pregnancy, calving and weaning rates. No significant differences were seen between the weight of cows at calving or at weaning for any of the genotypes. The lack of differences between the Senepol and the crossbred cattle suggest that the adaptation of the Senepol breed to tropical environments, and the intense selection on maternal traits, allows them to perform as well as crossbred genotypes.

El ganado Senepol y sus cruzas están entre las razas más comúnmente utilizadas para la producción de carne en Puerto Rico. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios evaluando su eficiencia reproductiva en el trópico y su aportación a programas de cruzamiento. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar la eficiencia de vacas Senepol puras con vacas cruzas de Senepol con Charbray, comparando las variables de por ciento de preñez, parto y destete, pesos al parto y al destete, junto con su pérdida de peso durante el periodo de lactancia. Los resultados mostraron que las vacas Senepol se desempeñaron de igual manera que las cruzas en cuanto al porciento de preñez, parto, y destete. Además, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ninguno de los genotipos en cuestión de peso de las vacas al parto y al destete. La falta de diferencias significativas entre el desempeño de las vacas Senepol y los genotipos cruzados demuestra que la adaptación al trópico de la raza Senepol, y la selección intensa que se realiza sobre sus características maternales, les permite desempeñarse al mismo nivel.
Keywords
Senepol,
Charbray,
Reproductive efficiency,
Beef cattle,
Heterosis
Usage Rights
All Rights Reserved / restricted to Campus
Cite
Lugo-Ruíz, M. (2019). A comparison of the reproductive efficiency of Senepol, and Charbray crossed cows and the pre-weaning growth of their progeny [Thesis]. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11801/2499