Winter feed restriction of cows is a method frequently used to reduce production costs in spring calving suckler herds. In Ireland and the UK the main source of suckler dams is the dairy herd. Traditionlly, Hereford and Aberdeen Angus were the crosses most readily available from this source but supplies of Continental (Limousin, Charolais, Simmental) crosses have increased in recent years. This paper reports the effects of winter feeding level during the first four pregnancy/early lactation periods for Hereford x Friesian (HF) and Limousin x Friesian (LF) dams on performance of cows and their progeny.