Table 3.

Least squares means for significant fixed effects (repeated measures analyses)

	Calf traits1
	PS	EV	TS
Dam age
2- and 3-yr olds	2.48 ± 0.07b	2.52 ± 0.06b	2.52 ± 0.05c
4-yr olds	2.64 ± 0.08a	2.75 ± 0.07ab	2.73 ± 0.06b
5-yr olds and older	2.72 ± 0.06a	2.85 ± 0.06a	2.81 ± 0.05a
Calf sex
Bulls	2.45 ± 0.06c	2.57 ± 0.06c	2.54 ± 0.06c
Steers	2.58 ± 0.07b	2.68 ± 0.06b	2.66 ± 0.05b
Heifers	2.79 ± 0.06a	2.87 ± 0.06a	2.85 ± 0.05a
Breed type2
Crossbred calves	2.70 ± 0.05a	2.67 ± 0.053	2.72 ± 0.053
Purebred calves	2.52 ± 0.09b	2.60 ± 0.09	2.59 ± 0.08

¹PS = pen score, a subjective measure of temperament, in which reactions of an individual calf to a constant experienced evaluator within a pen of three to five calves are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = calm, 5 = excitable). EV = exit velocity, an objective measure of temperament, defined as the rate (m/s) in which a calf travels 1.83 m upon immediately exiting a squeeze chute. TS = temperament score, numerical average of pen score and exit velocity.

²Because of the large numbers of breeds represented in the research population, breed type in calves was investigated as fixed effects with the levels listed in the table.

³The effect of breed type indicated no differences (P > 0.2) between purebred and crossbred calves for EV and TS.

^a,b,cWithin traits and effects (separated by empty lines in table), means that do not share a common superscript differ (P < 0.05).