THE RELATIONSHIP BET WEEN TEMPERAMENT SCO RE AND FLIGHT SPEED, AND PRE AND POST WEANING GROWTH OF ANGUS, HEREFORD, LIMOUSIN AND SIMMENTAL SIRED WEANER CATTLE BRED FROM ANGUS AND HEREFORD DAMS

Data from 206 autumn born calves from Angus and Hereford cows sired by Angus, Hereford, Limousin and Simmental bulls (22 bulls from each breed) was used to examine ffect of temperament score or flight speed on growth rate and liveweight. At weaning on 12/12/2000 all calves (mean age and liveweight ± se; 275±1.5 days, and 314±2.7 kg, respectively) were scored for temperament by 3 independent scorers, and timed for flight speed, on three separate occasions. Just prior to feedlot entry on 24/7/2000 the steer weaners (mean age and liveweight ±se; 482.2 ±.1 days and 437 ±4.1 kg, respectively) were again scored and measured for flight speed. The relationships between gr wt rate from birth to weaning, liveweight at weaning and the two measures of temperament were examined, together with effects of those measures on feedlot performance, and liveweight of steers after a 94 day feeding period. There was no effect (P>0.05) of either temperament score or flight speed on liveweight, or growth rate in the Angus or Simmental sired progeny. Both temperament score and flight speed had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the Limousin sired cattle (those with higher temperament scores tended to grow faster), and the growth rate of the Hereford sired cattle was also affected by score (P<0.05)