Retrospective Look at Cow-Calf Performance in Spring-Calving Dexter Cattle Scored for Winter Hair Shedding Level
TLDR Cows that shed more hair in winter have better reproductive success and their calves weigh more at weaning.
This study assessed the impact of winter hair shedding levels on the performance of Dexter cattle. A total of 72 cows with an average age of 5.6 years and body weight of 321.6 kg were scored biweekly for hair shedding from April to August 2019. Cows were classified as low shedders (LoShed; 0 to 50% hair loss; n = 26) or high shedders (HiShed; 51 to 100% hair loss; n = 46) based on average hair shedding levels during periods 3 and 4. Analysis of cow reproductive performance from 2016 to 2020 and calf growth from 2016 to 2019 revealed that HiShed cows had significantly greater winter hair shedding levels, weaned heavier calves (139.8 ± 7.0 kg vs. 126.3 ± 8.2 kg), and had higher calving (86.9 ± 5.3%) and weaning rates (86.8 ± 5.2%) compared to LoShed cows. Birth weight was not significantly affected by dam shedding level, but midpoint calf weights were marginally heavier for HiShed cows. The study concluded that high winter hair shedding levels in cows are associated with better reproductive success and heavier weaning weights of calves.
