Growth and carcase characteristics of Simmental × Friesian and Friesian × Friesian cattle in a Mediterranean environment

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (101) ◽  
pp. 652 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Gifford ◽  
PC Stephen

The calving performance of 152 Friesian cows, located on two properties in the southern Adelaide Hills region of South Australia and mated to Simmental and Friesian sires, is reported. The growth of their steer and heifer progeny and the carcase characteristics of the steer progeny are also reported. Differences due to breed of sire in the incidence of both assisted calvings and calf deaths at birth were not significant on either property. The number of assisted calvings ranged from 1 in 36 calvings for Friesian x Friesian to 3 in 31 calvings for the Simmental x Friesian, both recorded on the same property. The Simmental x Friesian progeny were always significantly heavier at birth than the Friesian progeny. On one property, the Simmental x Friesian and Friesian x Friesian steers grew at a similar rate from weaning at approximately 11 weeks of age until slaughter at approximately 32 months of age, at which stage their carcases did not differ significantly in weight, length, fat cover and eye muscle area. On the other property, the Simmental x Friesian steers grew significantly faster from weaning to slaughter than did the Friesian x Friesian steers. When slaughtered at approximately 34 months of age, the Simmental x Friesian carcases were heavier (P < 0.001 ) and had a larger eye muscle area (P < 0.001 ) than the Friesian x Friesian steers, but there were no significant differences in length or fat cover. The carcases of both breed types were leaner than required by the local Adelaide market and steers would need to be slaughtered at heavier liveweights than those used in this study for acceptable levels of carcase fatness to be achieved.

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
DJ Barker ◽  
PJ May ◽  
CA Morris ◽  
PER Ridley

In each of 4 years, drafts of Shorthorn and Dairy x Shorthorn heifers were run together and fed to grow either slowly or moderately from weaning at 7 months until joining for two months at 15 months of age. Thereafter they grazed together on improved pasture in a 430 mm rainfall Mediterranean environment. Their performance was compared until their second calving and their calves' performances until weaning. Year x breed type interactions were significant for most variables measured. Between their first joining and first calving, the fourth draft of Shorthorn heifers gained 59 kg less liveweight than the crossbreds, but there was little difference in liveweight gain between the breed types in the other three drafts. Survival of the fourth draft of Shorthorn dams and calves was also 32 and 42% lower than of crossbreds. Concurrently, the third draft of Shorthorns lost 21 kg more liveweight than the crossbreds between first calving and their second joining, but performed similarly or better in the other 3 years. The third draft of Shorthorns also had a 63% lower second calving rate than the crossbreds, but the previous drafts had a similar rate of second calving. The average weaning weights of the second and third drafts of Shorthorn calves were 37 and 34 kg lower, respectively, than the crossbred calves, but only 8 and 16 kg lower in the first and fourth drafts, respectively. The third draft of Shorthorn dams were 90 kg lighter at weaning than the crossbreds but the other Shorthorn drafts were only 20 to 29 kg lighter. The intercalving interval of the fourth draft of Shorthorns was 28 days longer than that of the crossbreds, but was similar to or 23 to 30 days shorter for the previous drafts. Superior performance of the crossbreds was most apparent in the year of lowest rainfall and pasture availability, during which the third draft suckled their first calves and were joined for the second time and the fourth draft calved for the first time. First calving dates of dairy crossbreds were 14 days later than those of Shorthorns if grown slowly before joining, but were similar if grown moderately. Crossbred dams suffered 11 and 25% more dystokia at first calving of the first and third drafts and 14% more if grown slowly, but not if grown moderately before their first joining. Birth weights of calves out of crossbred dams were consistently 2 kg higher than those out of Shorthorn dams. First calving rates of the two types of cattle were similar and high (about 90%).


1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (93) ◽  
pp. 488
Author(s):  
DR Gifford ◽  
TJ Clark

Hereford cows of mixed age and from the same herd in the south-east of South Australia, were mated to Simmental and Friesian sires in two consecutive years. Calving performance of 129 females and growth and carcase characteristics of their progeny were examined. Breed-of-sire differences in calving assistance and calf deaths were not significant. Assistance was given in 4.5 and 6.5 per cent of the Simmental and Friesian calvings respectively over the two calf drops. The percentage of calves dead at birth, or within twenty-four hours of birth, sired by Simmental and Friesian sires was 8.8 and 10.9 per cent respectively. Both before and after weaning, the growth rates of progeny sired by Simmental and Friesian bulls were similar, except in one pre-weaning period when the Simmental cross steers grew significantly faster than the Friesian cross steers. At both the 8 to 9- and 20 to 21 -month-old slaughterings, steers of either parentage had similar carcase weight, length and fat cover. However, the Simmental cross carcases had a significantly larger eye-muscle area. At both slaughterings, carcases of both crosses were leaner than desired by the local Adelaide market. We concluded that sires of the Simmental and Friesian breeds may be suitable as terminal sires in crossbreeding programmes, but that their role in the production of first-cross cows from the traditional purebred beef cow herds needs investigating.


1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Thompson ◽  
R Barlow

The effect of sire breed on the growth and development of carcass characteristics was examined in 104 steer carcasses, over the weight range of c. 300 to 600 kg liveweight. The carcasses were obtained from 28 straightbred Hereford, 27 Brahman x Hereford, 23 Simmental x Hereford and 26 Friesian x Hereford steers, which were grown on pasture and slaughtered in four groups when the Herefords weighed c. 270, 370, 470 and 570 kg liveweight. Changes in carcass characteristics with weight were examined by using the linear form of the allometric equation (log10Y = log10A+blog10X). As liveweight increased, the proportion of carcass in the body increased (b = 1.152). At the same liveweight, Brahman cross steers had heavier carcasses than the Hereford steers, which were heavier than either the Simmental or Friesian cross steers (P < 0.05). Fat thickness at the 12th-13th rib site, and kidney and channel fat weight both increased at a proportionally faster rate than carcass weight (b = 1.511 and 1 567 respectively). At the same carcass weight, Hereford and Brahman cross carcasses had a greater fat thickness than Simmental and Friesian cross carcasses (P i 0.05). Differences between sire breeds in kidney and channel fat weight were not significant (P > 0.05). C:rcass length and eye muscle area increased at a proportionally slower rate than carcass weight (b = 0.268 and 0.466 respectively). At the same carcass weight, Friesian cross carcasses were longer, and Simmental cross carcasses had a larger eye muscle area than the other breed crosses (P < 0.05). As total side weight increased, the proportions of subcutaneous and intermuscular fatAincreased (b = 1.554 and 1.535 respectively), and the proportions of muscle and bone decreased (b = 0.938 and 0.676 respectively). At the same side weight, the Hereford and Brahman cross carcasses had more subcutaneous fat than the Simmental and Friesian cross carcasses (P < 0.05). The Hereford carcasses had more intermuscular fat than the Simmental cross carcasses, which had more muscle than the other breed crosses (P < 0.05). Friesian cross carcasses had more bone than the Simmental crosses, with Brahman cross and Hereford carcasses having the least bone (P < 0.05). Brahman cross carcasses had a higher conformation score than the Simmental cross and Hereford carcasses, the Friesian cross carcasses having the lowest (P < 0.05). Samples of the M. longissimus from Brahman cross carcasses had a higher Warner-Bratzler shear force than samples from the other breed crosses (P < 0.05).


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-87
Author(s):  
Q Wang ◽  
J Wang ◽  
R.L. Qi ◽  
X.Y. Qiu ◽  
Q Sun ◽  
...  

Naringin is a major flavanone derivate that has many important biological functions in animals. However, its effect on pigs is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of naringin supplementation on performance, carcass traits, meat quality and oxidative stability in finishing pigs. Ninety-six pigs, with an average initial body weight of 66.2 ± 0.63 kg, were randomly divided into four groups. One group was fed a basal diet without supplementation (control), and the three others were fed diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 g naringin /kg DM of feed for 50 days. Each treatment was replicated six times with four pigs per replicate. Feed and water were available ad libitum. The 0.5 g/kg naringin treatment group had an improved loin eye muscle area, reduced serum triglycerides and were leaner compared with the other groups. Pigs in the 1.5 g/kg naringin treatment had higher pH45min values and inosine monophosphate concentrations, and lower MyHC IIb mRNA expression in muscle than the other groups. MyHC IIa mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in all naringin-supplemented diet groups. Naringin significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total anti-oxidative capacity in meat, as well as SOD and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. These results indicate that the dietary addition of naringin at 0.5 g/kg improved carcass characteristics, while 1.5 g/kg improved the oxidative stability and pork quality in finishing pigs. Keywords: antioxidant capacity; carcass characteristics; naringin-supplemented diets; pork quality


1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
PF Arthur ◽  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
D Johnston ◽  
PD Stephenson

The characteristics and retail yield of carcases of 482 Angus, Charolais and Hereford sired progeny out of straightbred Hereford (HxH), and first-cross Brahman x Hereford (BxH), Simmental x Hereford (SxH) and Friesian x Hereford (FxH) dams were evaluated. The cattle had been raised and slaughtered for either the vealer (both sexes), yearling domestic (both sexes) or the heavy export steer market. The data were analysed within market type, and at a constant age at slaughter (281, 478 and 829 days for vealer, yearling domestic and heavy export carcases respectively) and also at a constant hot P8 fat depth (4.6, 7.8 and 14.9 mm for the three markets respectively) and constant hot carcase weight (160, 200 and 343 kg for the three markets respectively). At a constant age, carcases of Charolais sired progeny were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier (8-16%, depending on market type), leaner, had larger eye muscle area and higher dressing percentage than those of Angus and Hereford sired progeny. This resulted in 12 to 17% (P < 0.05) more kg of boneless saleable meat (retail yield) from carcasses of Charolais sired progeny. At a constant hot P8 fat depth, the magnitude of the sire breed differences increased, whereas at a constant hot carcase weight, the differences became non-significant or were reduced in magnitude. At a constant age, progeny of BxH dams had higher ( P < 0.05) dressing percentage than those of the other dam breeds for all market types except the vealer market. Progeny of FxH dams had more (P < 0.05) channel and kidney fat than those of the other dam breeds, even at a constant hot P8 fat depth. Retail yield, as a percentage of the boned side, was highest for carcases of progeny of BxH dams and lowest for those of progeny of FxH dams (70.2% and 70.3% v. 69.1% and 69.2%, for vealer and yearling domestic carcases respectively, at a constant age). Sire and dam breed effects for the individual primal cuts, as percentages of the boned side, were not significant for most of the primal cuts, and where significant, the differences were very small.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Laurence ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
J. F. Graham ◽  
...  

This paper reports a subset of results from the Beef Cooperative Research Centre-funded Maternal Productivity Project. This research aimed to describe the response of Angus cows of different and divergent genotypes to variable nutritional environments over five breeding seasons. Cows selected for a divergence in either fat depth (HFat vs LFat) or residual feed intake (RFI: HRFI vs LRFI) based on mid-parent estimated breeding values (EBV) for those traits were allocated in replicate groups to either high or low nutritional treatments at two different sites, namely the Vasse Research Centre in Western Australia and the Struan Research Centre in South Australia. The traits reported in this paper include output traits (birth and weaning weight of calves, liveweight change of cows), change traits (change in Rib Fat, P8 fat, eye muscle area and liveweight between specified time points) and reproductive traits [pregnancy rates, percentage calves born alive and days to calving at the days to calving at the second calving opportunity (DC2)]. Having had their first calf, the vulnerability of these young cows to nutritional restriction and how it may adversely affect rebreeding was examined. HFat and HRFI cows were fatter, heavier and had greater eye muscle area than LFat and LRFI, respectively, at all times during the breeding cycle on both levels of nutrition. There was no difference in either days-to-calving or pregnancy rates after the second mating between genotypes. Equally, nutritional treatment had no effect on these traits in this cohort of cows. There was evidence for an implied genetic correlation between Rib Fat EBV, DC2 and pregnancy rates of –0.38 that suggests that selection for leanness may result in reduced fertility of the herd but the effect was not significant herein. As long as producers record the phenotype for both traits and select cows with favourable DC2 as well as low fatness, these problems can be avoided, owing to only 22% of variation in pregnancy rates being explained by DC2 and Rib Fat EBV. Producers can largely be confident that selection for leanness, or increased feed efficiency, has little impact on productivity as long as cows are in adequate body condition to remain healthy and productive.


Author(s):  
Abdelkareem E. Ahtash ◽  
Abdulla S. Biala ◽  
Aiad F. Magid ◽  
Hamed M. Marhoun

This study was conducted to evaluate the carcass characteristics of Mahali (M), Damascus (D) and Morcia Granada (G) goats and their crosses. Live weight, carcass weight, dressing-out %, rib eye muscle area, non-carcass components and kidney fat were measured. The results showed significant superiority of Damascus goats in live weight (65.8 kg), carcass weight (34.3 kg), dressing-out %( 52.1%), rib eye muscle areas (22.7 cm²) over the Mahali and Morcia Granada goats. The crossbred group (1/2 M ҳ 1/2 D) was superior in live weight (50 kg), carcass weight (24.2kg), dressing-out %( 48.4%), and rib eye muscle area (21.2cm²) over other crossbreds. The crossbred group (3⁄4D ҳ 1⁄4M) was superior in live weight (61.7kg), carcass weight (31 kg) and rib eye muscle area (21.3cm²) over the other 3⁄4 crossbreds. This study indicated that crossing between Mahali ҳ Damascus breed was beneficial for increasing live weight, carcass weight and meat production. 


1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (82) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
DR Gifford ◽  
PC Stephens ◽  
AL Pullman

British beef breed cow herds, located in the Adelaide Hills and upper south-east areas of South Australia, were mated to Charolais, Friesian and British beef breed sires in two consecutive years. Calving performance of 477 cows and growth and carcase characteristics of the progeny were examined. Assistance at calving was given in 2.7 per cent of the total number of Charolais calvings, 0.7 per cent of purebred calvings and none of the Friesian calvings. The percentage of stillborn calves, and calves dead within twenty-four hours of parturition, sired by Charolais, Friesian and British breed sires was 5.3, 4.6 and 3.7 per cent respectively. Charolais - and Friesian-cross progeny had similar growth rates in both the pre- and post-weaning periods but both crossbreds grew significantly faster than the purebred British breed progeny. When slaughtered at 8 to 10 months of age, Charolais-cross steers yielded significantly more meat than the purebred steers, but at that age, both the Charolais- and Friesian-cross carcases were often too lean (range in depth of backfat of 0.10 to 0.54 cm) to be suitable for the Adelaide market. We concluded that Charolais and Friesian crossbred progeny grow faster and mature later than British breed progeny in the environment studied here, and that both breeds may prove valuable as terminal sires in systematic crossbreeding programmes.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
H.Q. Li ◽  
B. Wang ◽  
Z. Li ◽  
H.L. Luo ◽  
C. Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of rumen-protected folic acid (RPFA) on slaughter performance, visceral organ and gastrointestinal tract coefficients, and meat quality in lambs. Sixty-six lambs from 120 Hu ewes were selected based on body weight and maternal diets, and then assigned to six groups using a randomized block experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was folic acid (FA) as RPFA in the maternal diet (0 mg/kg [M0F], 16 mg/kg [M16F] or 32 mg/kg [M32F] on dry matter basis). The second factor was FA in the lambs’ diet from weaning until slaughter (0 mg/kg [OC] or 4.0 mg/kg [OF]). The results indicated that the addition of 16 mg/kg FA to the maternal diet increased pre-slaughter weight (PSW), dressing and meat percentage, the reticulum and omasum coefficients, length of the jejunum and ileum, tail fat and perirenal fat coefficient and a* value of the meat color. The addition of RPFA to the lambs’ diet increased PSW, dressing and meat percentage, eye muscle area, abomasum weight, weight and length of the small intestine, but reduced the coefficients of tail fat. A M×O interaction was observed for the weights of heart, lungs, rumen and total stomach, weight and coefficient of omental fat and the GR value. Collectively, RPFA in the maternal and lambs’ diet improved slaughter performance and meat quality by stimulating the morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract and the distribution of fat in the body.


1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
RM Seebeck

Variations in the cross-sectional area of eye muscle of carcasses cut between the tenth and eleventh ribs were investigated, using 105 Hereford and 51 Angus steers aged 20 months. These cattle consisted of three groups, born in successive years. At constant carcass weight, statistically significant differences in eye muscle area were found between breeds and between years. Breed and year differences were also found in eye muscle area with width and depth of eye muscle constant, so that there are limitations to the estimation of eye muscle area from width and depth measurements. A nomograph is given for estimating eye muscle area from width and depth for Hereford and Angus cattle, when all animals are reared in the same year and environment. The use of eye muscle area as an indicator of weight of carcass muscle is discussed.


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