Crossbreeding in beef production: meta-analysis of breed means to estimate breed-specific effects on leather properties

The objective of this study was to discern opportunities for improving leather-making properties of hides originating from beef production systems based on indigenous Afrikaner cattle via crossbreeding. Data were previously unpublished breed means from purebred Afrikaner, Brahman, Charolais, Hereford and Simmental, top-crosses of Brahman, Charolais, Hereford, and Simmental sires on (1) Afrikaner dams producing F1 progenies and (2) Brahman × Afrikaner, Charolais × Afrikaner, Hereford × Afrikaner, and Simmental × Afrikaner F1 females producing both backcross and three-breed cross progenies. Hide yield (%), leather yield (dm2/kg), force 20% extension (Mpa), extension grain crack (%), extension break (%), force break (Mpa), slit tear force (N/mm), distension grain crack (%), and force grain crack (N/mm) were evaluated. Breed direct effects and individual heterosis, but not maternal effects, may be important for most of these traits. Direct effects due to the exotic breeds reduced hide yield but generally improved leather properties relative to the indigenous Afrikaner. For both hide and leather yields, individual heterosis effects arose primarily from indicus × taurus crosses with the Hereford × Brahman effect being most pronounced. Thus, there may be opportunities to improve leather yield and quality through crossbreeding relative to the straightbred Afrikaner. A top-cross mating plan may be recommended to enhance production by subsistence level farmers having access to Afrikaner females, provided that management can ensure appropriate use of the terminal sires.