Theses and Dissertations Collection

Selecting for efficient replacement females is a crucial decision for cattle producers. Replacement females need to be reproductively efficient and if the producer pasture grazes their animals, they also need to have efficient rangeland behavior. Genetic associations with important traits can help understand the biology behind the traits and be used to make selection decisions. One study identified genetic associations with cattle fertility traits, antral follicle counts and reproductive tract scores in crossbred heifers. The second study examines cattle rangeland behavior traits, grazing minutes, walking minutes, and maximum slope use while experiencing mild heat stress. In addition, a significant association was identified with the amount of time cows spent on slopes greater than 15 degrees regardless of experiencing heat stress. Identifying the genetic associations can deepen the understanding of the biology behind significant traits as well as enable producers to select for replacement females that will benefit their management strategies.