Estimation of additive and non-additive genetic parameters for reproduction, growth and survival traits in crosses between the Moroccan D'man and Timahdite sheep breeds

Genetic breed differences, heterosis, recombination loss, and heritability for reproduction traits, lamb survival and growth traits to 90 days of age were estimated from crossing D'man and Timahdite Moroccan breeds. The crossbreeding parameters were fitted as covariates in the model of analysis. The REML method was used to estimate (co)variance components using an animal model. The first estimation of crossbreeding effects for Timahdite and D'man breeds shows that breed differences in litter traits are mainly of maternal genetic origin: +1.04 lambs, +1.88 kg, +0.60 lambs, and +2.23 kg in favour of D'man breed for litter size at lambing, litter weight at lambing, litter size at weaning, and litter weight at 90 days, respectively. The breed differences in lamb growth and survival are also of maternal genetic origin for the majority of traits studied, but in favour of the Timahdite breed: +3.48 kg, +45 g day⁻¹ and +0.19 lambs for weight at 90 days, for average daily gain between 30 and 90 days of age, and for lamb survival to 90 days, respectively. The D'man direct genetic effect was low and negative for survival and birth weight of lambs during the first month of life. All traits studied showed positive heterosis effects. Recombination loss effects were not significant. Therefore, crossbreeding of Timahdite with D'man breeds of sheep can result in an improved efficiency of production of saleable lambs. Heritability estimates were medium for litter size but low for the other reproduction traits. Direct heritabilities were low for body weights and lamb survival at 90 days and the corresponding maternal heritabilities showed, however, low to moderate estimates. For litter traits, the estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations were positive and particularly high for genetic correlations.     

Economic evaluation of alternative crossbreeding systems involving four breeds of swine. II. System efficiency

A static, deterministic computer model was used to calculate production efficiency (cost per kg of product) for four purebred and 69 alternative crossbreeding systems involving the Duroc, Yorkshire, Landrace and Spotted breeds of swine. Crossbreeding systems were defined as including all purebred, crossbred and commercial matings necessary to maintain a total of 10,000 farrowings. Driving variables for the model were predicted mean conception rates, litter size born, preweaning survival rate, postweaning average daily gain, feed-to-gain ratio and carcass backfat. Predictions were computed using breed effect and heterosis estimates obtained from experimental data involving the four breeds collected at the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station between 1976 and 1979. The most efficient breed combinations for each of the nine types of crossbreeding systems evaluated were predicted to reduce cost per kg of product by 6.7 to 10.5%, relative to the most efficient purebred (Duroc). The Duroc X (Yorkshire, Landrace, Spotted) four-breed rotaterminal was predicted to be the most efficient system, followed by the Duroc X (Yorkshire, Landrace) rotaterminal. Duroc X (Spotted X Landrace) and Duroc X (Spotted X Yorkshire) static systems ranked third and fourth overall, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that ranking of systems predicted to be most efficient under the default model was reasonably robust to varying input economic, genetic and management parameter values. Results of this study suggested that three- or four-breed rotaterminal or static systems should maximize effective use of heterosis and breed complementarity in swine production systems.     

Estimation of genetic and crossbreeding parameters for daily milk yield of Ayrshire × Sahiwal × Ankole crossbred cows in Burundi

The pedigree of 317 cows of which 184 were controlled for milk production has been used to estimate crossbreeding parameters for daily milk yield of Ayrshire, Sahiwal and Ankole crosses in the Mahwa station. Lactating cows belonged to one of 6 different genetic groups defined on the basis of the mating system used to produce them. REML estimates of the genetic parameters were obtained with a repeated animal model using daily milk records. Estimated heritability (h²) and repeatability (r²) were 0.27 and 0.36, respectively. The genetic group effects were used to estimate crossbreeding parameters following Dickerson's genetic model. Estimates for the additive effects for daily milk yield of Ankole, Sahiwal and Ayrshire breeds were − 1.66l, − 0.48l and 5.22l, respectively. Estimates of direct heterosis for daily milk yield for Sahiwal × Ankole, Ayrshire × Ankole, and Ayrshire × Sahiwal crosses were 1.97l, 2.30l and − 2.33l, respectively.     

Crossbreeding effects on milk yield traits and calving interval in spring‐calving dairy cows

The aim of the study was to assess crossbreeding effects for 305‐day milk, fat, and protein yield and calving interval (CI) in Irish dairy cows (parities 1 to 5) calving in the spring from 2002 to 2006. Data included 188 927 records for production traits and 157 117 records for CI. The proportion of genes from North American Holstein Friesian (HO), Friesian (FR), Jersey (JE) and Montbéliarde (MO) breeds, and coefficients of expected heterosis for HO×FR, HO×JE and HO×MO crosses were calculated from the breed composition of cows’ parents. The model used to assess crossbreeding effects accounted for contemporary group, age at calving within parity, linear regression on gene proportions for FR, JE and MO, and linear regression on coefficients of expected heterosis for HO×FR, HO×JE and HO×MO, as fixed effects, and additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual as random. Breed effects for production traits were in favour of HO, while for CI were in favour of breeds other than HO. The highest heterosis estimates for production were for HO×JE, with first‐generation crosses yielding 477 kg more milk, 25.3 kg more fat, and 17.4 kg more protein than the average of the parental breeds. The highest estimate for CI was for HO×MO, with first‐generation crosses showing 10.2 days less CI than the average of the parental breeds. Results from this study indicate breed differences and specific heterosis effects for milk yield traits and fertility exist in Irish dairy population.     

Estimation of heterotic components for lactation traits and reproductive performance in three crossbreeding trials of Holstein cattle with German Friesian raised under hot climatic conditions

Lactation traits and reproductive performance of three trials of crossing Holstein cattle (H) and German Friesians (F) raised in a hot climatic were evaluated. The first 90‐day (M90), 305‐day (M305) and total milk yield (TMY), 305‐day milk yield per day of calving interval (MCI1), total milk yield per day of calving interval (MCI2) along with length of lactation period (LP), age at first calving (AC1) and calving interval (CI) were used. For these traits, a genetic model was applied for each trial separately to obtain estimates of individual (G^I) and maternal (G^M) additive effects, individual (H^I) and maternal (H^M) heterosis and individual recombination effect (R^I). Data of 8045 normal lactations from the three trials were analysed. Among the crossbreds obtained in the three trials, cows of 3/4H 1/4F) ranked first in their lactational performance. Estimates of G^I and G^M were generally large and in favour of H cows (daughters) and dams for most milk‐yield traits, CI and AC1 in the three trials. Estimates of H^I in crossbred cows for milk traits, CI and AC1 were mostly negative and reveal that crossing F with H was associated with a reduction in milk‐yield traits, shorter CI and earlier AC1 along with longer LP in the three trials. Estimates of H^M for milk yields, LP, AC1 and CI in daughters of crossbred dams were mostly negative. Recombination losses in crossbred cows were negative for milk‐yield traits, AC1 and CI in most cases.     

Productivity of crosses based on prolific breeds of sheep

The results of main and short papers on the productivity of crosses between domestic and prolific breeds presented in Zürich in 1976 have been summarized according to the important reproduction and production traits. Fertility, prolificacy, mortality rate, litter size born and weaned, ovulation rate, accelerated and out-of-season lambing, milk production, growth and carcass traits were analysed. More attention has been paid to the reproduction traits, because of their importance in crossbreeding with prolific breeds. For all analysed traits the amount of heterosis has been estimated from various information sources: midparent value, F₁, F₂, B₁ (backcrosses), one of the parent breeds. The use of prolific breeds mostly leads to an improvement in the reproductive characters. The breed differences are decisive for all traits. The reproduction traits generally show higher heterosis effects than the production traits, but this statement cannot be held as a rule. For international comparisons in future the traits must be standardized.     

Production benefits of the crossbreeding of indigenous and non-indigenous ducks—growing and laying period body weight and production performance

To evaluate different crosses and purebreds ducks in respect to various economic traits and to estimate different crossbreeding genetic parameters, a 3?×?3 complete diallel cross involving indigenous duck (DD), Khaki Campbell (KK) and White Pekin (WW) were used to produce three purebreds (DD, KK, WW) three crossbreds (DK, DW, KW) and three reciprocals (KD, WD, WK). A total of 609 ducklings produced were reared on deep litter and the females (316 in number) were evaluated for growing and laying period body weight along with the production performance traits. Different crossbreeding genetic parameters were estimated for different traits. All the traits in respect to body weight gain during growing and laying period and different production traits including laying house mortality rate showed significant (p?≤?0.05) difference between different genetic groups. In general, crossbreds perform better than the purebreds for most of the traits studied. General combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effect (RE) were significant (p?≤?0.01) for body weight and production traits. Egg weight showed significant (p?≤?0.01) difference in respect to GCA, SCA and RE for all the ages of measurement except RE for 30th week egg weight. Laying period mortality rate was only significant (p?≤?0.05) for SCA. Most of the crossbreds recorded heterosis rate in desirable direction for majority of the traits. Overall results revealed that the crossbreds perform well in respect to different traits than the purebreds and may be used to take advantage of heterosis. DW performs well in respect to majority of the traits measured and is of importance for commercial exploitation. Further, pure line selection with development of specialised sire and dam line followed by crossing may be of importance to enhance the performances in the crosses.     

牧原猪的二元轮回杂交育种体系的形成与发展

终端消费者的需求始终是牧原养猪生产的导向,其目的在于实现猪肉生产链各成员价值最大化。传统的用两个纯种杂交来生产二元杂种母猪的金字塔模式被打破,从2002年开始建立了以长白和大白两个品种为亲本的二元轮回杂交育种体系,通过持续的选育,牧原集团培育出来的用于轮回杂交的长白和大白母本品种（品系）以及相应的父本品种（品系）均具有自己鲜明的特色,形成了在生长速度和繁殖性能等方面令养猪生产者满意,在瘦肉率和胴体品质等方面令消费者满意的杂种优势好、遗传性稳定的二元轮回杂交育种体系。     

Model definition for genetic evaluation of purebred and crossbred lambs including heterosis

Crossbreeding is a common practice among commercial sheep producers to improve animal performance. However, genetic evaluation of U.S. sheep is performed within breed type (terminal sire, semi-prolific, and western range). While incorporating crossbred records may improve assessment of purebreds, it requires accounting for heterotic and breed effects in the evaluation. The objectives of this study were to: 1) describe the development of a paternal composite (PC) line, 2) determine the effect of direct and maternal heterosis on growth traits of crossbred lambs, 3) estimate (co)variance components for direct and maternal additive, and uncorrelated maternal environmental, effects, and 4) provide an interpretation of the estimates of random effects of genetic groups, and to use those solutions to compare the genetic merit of founding breed subpopulations. Data included purebred and crossbred records on birth weight (BN; n = 14,536), pre-weaning weight measured at 39 or 84 d (WN; n = 9,362) depending on year, weaning weight measured at 123 d (WW; n = 9,297), and post-weaning weight measured at 252 d (PW; n = 1,614). Mean (SD) body weights were 5.3 (1.1), 16.8 (3.9) and 28.0 (7.6), 39.1 (7.2), and 54.2 (8.7) kg for BN, WN (at the two ages), WW, and PW, respectively. In designed experiments, the Siremax, Suffolk, Texel, Polypay, Columbia, Rambouillet, and Targhee breeds were compared within the same environment. Estimates of heterotic effects and covariance components were obtained using a multiple trait animal model. Genetic effects based on founders’ breeds were significant and included in the model. Percent estimates of direct heterosis were 2.89 ± 0.61, 2.60 ± 0.65, 4.24 ± 0.56, and 6.09 ± 0.86, and estimates of maternal heterosis were 1.92 ± 0.87, 4.64 ± 0.80, 3.95 ± 0.66, and 4.04 ± 0.91, for BN, WN, WW, and PW, respectively. Correspondingly, direct heritability estimates were 0.17 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.02, and 0.46 ± 0.04 for BN, WN, WW, and PW. Additive maternal effects accounted for trivial variation in PW. For BN, WN, and WW, respectively, maternal heritability estimates were 0.16 ± 0.02, 0.10 ± 0.02, and 0.07 ± 0.01. Uncorrelated maternal environmental effects accounted for little variation in any trait. Direct and maternal heterosis had considerable impact on growth traits, emphasizing the value of crossbreeding and the need to account for heterosis, in addition to breed effects, if crossbred lamb information is included in genetic evaluation.     

Direct and maternal genetic effects on birth and weaning traits in multibreed cattle data and predicted performance of breed crosses

Direct and maternal additive effects and heterosis were estimated using data from straightbred Angus, Brahman, Charolais, Hereford, and four generations of rotational crosses among these breeds. Traits of interest were birth weight, Julian day of birth, average daily gain from birth to weaning, 205-d weight, and weaning weight per cow exposed. Complete data were available on 3,445 calves produced from 4,733 matings. Discrete generations of 4-yr duration were produced from 1970 through 1988. Brahman was included in each rotational crossbreeding system. Genetic effects were estimated by regression. Direct and maternal additive effects of Brahman, Charolais, and Hereford were estimated as deviations from Angus. Direct and maternal heterosis effects were assumed proportional to expected heterozygosity. The Brahman direct additive effect resulted in later-born calves (P < 0.01). Brahman, Charolais, and Hereford direct additive effects increased birth weight, and the Brahman maternal additive effect decreased birth weight compared with Angus (P < 0.05). Charolais direct and maternal additive effects were greater than Angus for average daily gain and 205-d weight (P < 0.01). The Hereford maternal additive effects on average daily gain and 205-d weight were less than those of the other breeds (P < 0.01). Breed combinations including Brahman had greater direct heterosis for birth weight, average daily gain, and 205-d weight than other combinations (P < 0.01). Angus, Charolais, and Hereford direct additive effects on weaning weight per cow exposed were greater than Brahman (P < 0.05). Predicted average daily gain, 205-d weight, and weaning weight per cow exposed were, on average, greater in four-breed rotation systems than in three- and two-breed systems. Among two-breed rotation systems, predicted average daily gain and 205-d weaning weight were greatest for Charolais-Brahman and least for Angus-Hereford. Calves from the Angus-Charolais-Hereford system weighed less at weaning than any other three-breed combination. However, weaning weight per cow exposed from the Angus-Charolais-Hereford system was greatest among three-breed systems. Within three- and four-breed rotation systems, ranges in predicted birth and weaning weights among generations varied by up to 10.0 and 25.2 kg, respectively. The choice of breeds affects performance, and the sequence of their use may affect intergenerational variation in performance.     

甘南牦牛杂交改良现状与措施

甘南牦牛应突出肉用价值,把肉当作主攻方向,作为主导支柱产品。开展牦牛与普通牛的种间杂交,是提高牦牛业生产水平和经济效益的重要途径。在二元杂交试验中,若杂交目的主要以生产肉或提高役力,改良牛的父本,应选择短角牛、夏洛来牛、西门塔尔牛、海福特等肉乳兼用和肉用良种牛,具有明显杂优效果;若杂交的目的主要是生产牛奶和酥油,则父本以黑白花奶牛等与牦牛交配产生黑犏杂一代的组合为最佳;若杂交的目的主要是奶肉兼用,则一代奶用二代肉用。甘南地区犏牛繁殖的主要目的是产奶。因此,牦牛种间杂交育种的主要方法是采用良种牛冻精(娟姗牛等)与母牦牛进行人工授精等方法生产良种犏雌牛。     

Genetic evaluation of Ethiopian Boran cattle and their crosses with Holstein Friesian for growth performance in central Ethiopia

Breed additive and non-additive effects, and heritabilities of birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6 months weight (SMWT), yearling weight (YWT), eighteen months weight (EWT), 2 years weight (TWT) and average daily weight gain from birth to 6 months (ADG1) and from 6 months to 2 years (ADG2) were estimated in Ethiopian Boran (B) cattle and their crosses with Holstein Friesian (F) in central Ethiopia. The data analysed were spread over 15 years. Ethiopian Boran were consistently lighter (p < 0.01) than the B-F crosses at all ages. Ethiopian Boran also gained lower weight than all the crosses. At birth, 50% F crosses were significantly (p < 0.01) lighter than all the other crosses. However, the differences in SMWT, YWT, EWT, TWT, ADG1 and ADG2 were all non-significant among the crosses. The individual additive breed differences between B and F breeds were positive and significant (p < 0.01) for all traits. The individual heterosis effects were significant (p < 0.05) for all traits except WWT for which the effect was non-significant. The maternal heterosis effects were significant (p < 0.01) for BWT (2.5 kg) and WWT (-3.0 kg). The heritability estimates for all traits in B and crosses were generally moderate to high indicating that there is scope for genetic improvement through selection. Selection within B and crossbreeding should be the strategy to enhance the growth performance under such production systems.     

Periodic rotational crosses. I. Breed and heterosis utilization

Periodic rotational crosses differ from conventional rotations by using sire breeds an unequal number of generations but in a regular sequence. Formulas for breed composition and heterosis in offspring from periodic rotations at equilibrium averaged over all generations of a cycle and for each generation of the cycle are presented. Coefficients of squares and products of breed differences and heterosis used to calculate inter-generational variance are also derived. Several specific periodic rotations utilizing a range of breed proportions were found to use from 70 to 95% as much heterosis as conventional rotations using the same number of breeds equally. Estimates of swine and cattle additive breed and heterosis effects taken from the literature were applied to the formulas. In both the swine and cattle examples, periodic rotations were found that equaled or exceeded the conventional rotations using the same number of breeds and also had lower inter-generational variance.     

Comparison of two- and three-way rotational crossing, beef x beef and beef x Brown Swiss composite breed production: postweaning growth and carcass traits

Data collected from steer and bull progeny, fed to a constant final feedlot weight over 11 yr, were used to estimate heterosis in post-weaning feedlot growth and carcass traits in two-way and three-way rotational crossing systems and a breed composite from crossing Hereford, Angus and Charolais breeds. Steer and bull progeny from matings of beef x Brown Swiss-cross sires and dams also were compared with the straight beef breeds and beef crosses. Growth traits evaluated were initial weight on test, 112-d weight, total feedlot average daily gain and total days from initial to final weight. Carcass traits included hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib eye area, 12th-rib fat thickness, kidney, pelvic and heart fat, yield grade and marbling score. Heterosis estimates for calves of all crossing systems were significant for initial and 112-d weight and for saving of days in the feedlot, but not for average daily feedlot gain. Heterosis estimates were small and nonsignificant for most carcass traits except for fat traits in specific crosses. Males from Hereford and Angus sires mated to Angus x Hereford dams had higher (P less than .10) backfat than did the parental average. Male progeny from Charolais ranked higher (P less than .10 to P less than .01) than calves from Hereford and Angus sires for most growth traits. Progeny from Charolais sires were more desirable (P less than .10 to P less than .01) for traits related to cutability, but they had less (P less than .05 to P less than .01) marbling than calves of Angus sires.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Estimates of genetic parameters for Boran, Friesian and crosses of Friesian and Jersey with the Boran cattle in the tropical highlands of Ethiopia: reproduction traits

A study with the objectives of estimating breed differences, heterosis and recombination effects as well as heritabilities (h²) and repeatabilities (r²) for age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of services per conception (SPC) was conducted using reproduction records collected from 1496 cows comprising purebred Boran (B), Friesian (F), crosses of Friesian and Jersey (J) with Boran breeds. The crossbred cow groups included four F × B crosses [1/2F:1/2B(F₁), 1/2F:1/2B(F₂), 5/8F:3/8B and 3/4F:1/4B], three J × B crosses [1/2J:1/2B(F₁), 1/2J:1/2B(F₂) and 3/4J:1/4B] and one three‐breed cross (1/4F:1/4J:1/2B). The crossbreeding parameters were estimated using a repeatability animal model for CI, DO and SPC, and a unitrait animal model for AFC. The overall least‐squares means estimated were: 38.3 ± 0.26 months, 435 ± 4 days, 145 ± 10 days and 1.58 ± 0.03 (number) for AFC, CI, DO and SPC, respectively. The breed additive effects of F and J were only significant (p < 0.01) for AFC. Relative to B, both F and J additive contributions for AFC were ?5.4 ± 0.5 and ?5.5 ± 1.9 months, respectively. Crossing the B with F and J breeds also resulted in significant heterosis (p < 0.05) ranging from 10 to 21% in all traits. The estimated recombination loss was only significant for AFC (2.8 ± 1.0 months) for F × B crosses. Heritability estimates were high for AFC (0.44 ± 0.05) and low for CI (0.08 ± 0.03), DO (0.04 ± 0.03) and SPC (0.08 ± 0.02). The corresponding estimates for the repeatability (r²) were 0.14 ± 0.02 and 0.14 ± 0.02 for CI and DO, respectively. The permanent environmental effect for SPC was zero. These findings show that breed differences between F or J and B, and the individual cow variations are low for reproductive traits studied, except for AFC. Heterotic effects seem to be the major genetic causes for the improved reproductive performances in both the F × B and J × B crossbred cows.     

Impact of crossing system on relative economic weights of traits in purebred pig populations

The relative economic importance of traits was calculated for various crossbreeding systems in pigs. The influence of the following three factors on the relation of standardised and discounted economic weights (SDEW) for reproduction and production traits was investigated: (i) the position of breeds in the crossing system, (ii) the use of breed-sex groups for mating in different tiers and (iii) the level of the management input parameters. The SDEW for each trait was calculated as the product of the marginal economic value, the genetic standard deviation and the number of discounted expressions. The ratio of SDEW for reproduction traits to SDEW for production traits was from 3 : 1 to 3.7 : 1 which is about twice the value of the corresponding ratio of undiscounted standardized economic weights (1.7 : 1). There were small differences in the ratio of standardized economic weights for number born alive and average daily gain (SDEWR) between males and females used for mating in the same tiers within a given crossing system (less than 1%). In each breed-sex group, there were significant differences in the SDEWR (up to 24%) dependent on the use of this group for mating in different tiers within a given crossing system or in different crossing systems. This means that clients at multiplier and commercial levels should rank the genetic merit of their breeding stock differently from that of a common breeding objective. In crossing systems with two dam breeds without reciprocal crossing, the SDEWR was higher in the breed used in granddam position than in the breed used in grandsire position (about 20% under Czech conditions). Changes in the management parameters had only a minor impact on the SDEWR.     

Crossbreeding effects for litter and lactation traits in a Saudi project to develop new lines of rabbits suitable for hot climates

A five-years crossing scheme involving the Spanish V line (V) and Saudi Gabali (S) rabbits was practiced to produce 14 genetic groups: V, S, 1/2V1/2S, 1/2S1/2V, 3/4V1/4S, 3/4S1/4V, (1/2V1/2S)², (1/2S1/2V)², (3/4V1/4S)², (3/4S1/4V)², ((3/4V1/4S)²)², ((3/4S1/4V)²)², Saudi 2 (a new synthetic line) and Saudi 3 (another new synthetic line). A total of 3496 litters from 1022 dams were used to evaluate litter size at birth (LSB) and weaning (LSW), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter weight at 21 d (LW21) and litter weight at weaning (LWW), pre-weaning litter mortality (PLM), milk yield at lactation intervals of 0–7 d (MY07), 0–21 d (MY021), 0–28 d (TMY) and milk conversion ratio as g of litter gain per g of milk suckled during 21 d of lactation (MCR021). A generalized least squares procedure was used to estimate additive and heterotic effects (direct, maternal, and grand-maternal).The comparison among V, S, Saudi 2 and Saudi 3 showed a complementarity between V and S. Line V was superior for LSB, LSW, LWB, PLM, MY07, MY021 and TMY, while line S was superior for the other traits (LW21, LWW and MCR021). Saudi 2 and Saudi 3 had the means equal to or higher than the founder lines (V or S) for all traits. Saudi 2 showed better values in litter size and pre-weaning litter mortality compared to Saudi 3 with no significant differences for the other traits. Concerning crossbreeding parameters, direct additive effects were significant for all traits, ranging between 12.3% and 31.8% relative to the average of the means of V and S. All estimates for direct heterosis except LWB and MCR021 were significant and ranged from 5.3% to 27.5%. No estimates for maternal additive effects and grand-maternal additive and heterotic effects were significant. Only estimates for maternal heterotic effects of LSB and LSW were significant (8.6% and 10.6%, respectively).     

Breed and heterotic effects for mature weight in beef cattle

Cow mature weight (MWT) is heritable and affects the costs and efficiency of a breeding operation. Cow weight is also influenced by the environment, and the relationship between the size and profitability of a cow varies depending on production system. Producers, therefore, need tools to incorporate MWT in their selection of cattle breeds and herd replacements. The objective of this study was to estimate breed and heterotic effects for MWT using weight-age data on crossbred cows. Cow’s MWT at 6 yr was predicted from the estimated parameter values—asymptotic weight and maturation constant (k)—from the fit of the Brody function to their individual data. Values were obtained for 5,156 crossbred cows from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) Germplasm Evaluation Program using 108,957 weight records collected from approximately weaning up to 6 yr of age. The cows were produced from crosses among 18 beef breeds. A bivariate animal model was fitted to the MWT and k obtained for each cow. The fixed effects were birth year-season contemporary group and covariates of direct and maternal breed fractions, direct and maternal heterosis, and age at final weighing. The random effects were direct additive and residual. A maternal additive random effect was also fitted for k. In a separate analysis from that used to estimate breed effects and (co)variances, cow MWT was regressed on sire yearling weight (YWT) Expected Progeny Differences by its addition as a covariate to the animal model fitted for MWT. That regression coefficient was then used to adjust breed solutions for sire selection in the USMARC herd. Direct heterosis was 15.3 ± 2.6 kg for MWT and 0.000118 ± 0.000029 d⁻¹ for k. Maternal heterosis was −5.7 ± 3.0 kg for MWT and 0.000130 ± 0.000035 d⁻¹ for k. Direct additive heritabilities were 0.56 ± 0.03 for MWT and 0.23 ± 0.03 for k. The maternal additive heritability for k was 0.11 ± 0.02. The direct additive correlation between MWT and k was negligible (0.08 ± 0.09). Adjusted for sire sampling, Angus was heaviest at maturity of the breeds compared. Deviations from Angus ranged from −8.9 kg (Charolais) to −136.7 kg (Braunvieh). Ordered by decreasing MWT, the breeds ranked Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Brahman, Salers, Santa Gertrudis, Simmental, Maine Anjou, Limousin, Red Angus, Brangus, Chiangus, Shorthorn, Gelbvieh, Beefmaster, and Braunvieh. These breed effects for MWT can inform breeding programs where cow size is considered a key component of the overall profitability.