The Influence of Cow Temperament on Temperament and Performance of Offspring

The objective was to assess the relationship of cow temperament with calf (n=3690) temperament, BW, and ADG at weaning. This study population consisted of predominantly British crossbred cattle. Temperament was assessed by: 1) pen score (PS) the reaction of each calf to an evaluator on a scale of 1=calm to 5=excitable; 2) exit velocity (EV) the rate (m/sec) at which a calf exits a cattle chute; and 3) temperament score (TS) the mean of PS and EV. Data were analyzed by mixed linear models. Additive genetic variance was a random effect, and maternal additive genetic variance was 0 for temperament traits. Covariates included d of age at time of record except for ADG and the proportion of Bos indicus in each calf. Estimates of heritability were obtained in univariate analyses. Cow age and contemporary group (year-season combinations) had effects on all calf traits (P < 0.001). There was a positive relationship (P < 0.05) of proportion of Bos indicus in the calf with BW and ADG (regression coefficients: 23.99 ± 9.49; 0.08 ± 0.04, respectively). There was a positive relationship (P < 0.05) of the proportion of Bos indicus in the cow with BW and ADG (regression coefficients: 26.66 ± 6.92; 0.14 ± 0.03, respectively). There was a positive relationship (P < 0.05) for dam PS with calf PS, EV and TS (regression coefficients: 0.10 ± 0.05; 0.11 ± 0.05; 0.10 ± 0.04, respectively). There was a positive relationship (P < 0.05) for dam EV with calf PS and EV (regression coefficients: 0.06 ± 0.05; 0.07 ± 0.02, respectively). There was a positive relationship (P < 0.05) for dam TS with calf EV and TS (regression coefficients: 0.13 ± 0.06; 0.11 ± 0.05 respectively). At weaning, estimates of heritability were 0.42 ± 0.08 for PS; 0.46 ± 0.08 for EV; 0.58 ± 0.09 for TS; 0.52 ± 0.08 for BW; and 0.61 ± 0.09 for ADG. Estimates of maternal additive genetic heritability were 0.20 ± 0.05 for BW; and 0.24 ± 0.05 for ADG; and maternal permanent environmental/phenotypic variance were 0.13 ± 0.03 for BW; and 0.16 ± 0.03 for ADG. Calf temperament, BW, and ADG at weaning were associated with cow age, proportion of Bos indicus in the cow and the calf, and contemporary group, and importantly, with temperament of their dams.