Publication Date

12-1978

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Gordon Jones, Ray Johnson, James Worthington

Degree Program

Department of Agriculture

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

The cattle shown at the prestigious All-American Angus Futurity were studied in order to evaluate the relationship between various body measurements. The measurements taken included wither height, hip height, body length, fat thickness,and weight. Also, these measurements were analyzed in order to determine if Angus cattle had gained in genetic frame size. Data were collected for the 805 animals shown in the years 1974 through 1978.

The cattle were grouped into classes based upon sex and age prior to any statistical procedures being performed. Means of classes were used in order to evaluate sex differences and bulls were found to be larger for all measurements. A comparison of the linear measurements and fat thickness of the old bulls with the corresponding measurements in the young bulls was utilized in a study of the maturity patterns present in the cattle. Also, coefficients of correlation were determined for all possible measurement combinations. The fat measurement was found to be less related to weight than either body length or body height. Wither height was the measurement most closely related to weight.

Wither height measurement was used in an analysis of variance of year effect on frame size. There were highly significant differences in wither height that could be observed in the yearly means. The change in wither height was positive and consistent over the five years studied. The cattle did not increase in weight to the same degree that wither height changed and the changes in the fat measurements were inconsistent. However, the largest framed, leanest heifers occurred in 1978.

The coefficients of correlation determined in this study support the use of linear measurements and fat measurement in addition to, or as a substitute for, weight in making selection decisions. Also, the regression equations developed help document the idea that it is possible to accurately predict weight through the use of skeletal measurements and fat thickness. The findings support the hypothesis that Angus cattle have become genetically larger framed over the past five years.

Disciplines

Agriculture | Animal Sciences | Beef Science | Life Sciences

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