SLAUGHTER AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF CATTALO, HEREFORD, AND 1/4 BRAHMAN–3/4 HEREFORD YEARLINGS
Slaughter and carcass data were obtained from 60 cattalo that averaged 1/7 bison–6/7 domestic (27 bulls, 33 heifers), 19 Hereford (11 bulls, 8 heifers), and 17 1/4 Brahman–3/4 Hereford (12 bulls, 5 heifers) yearlings. At a constant age, 1/4 Brahman and Hereford exceeded cattalo in growth rate, i.e. slaughter weights were: 1/4 Brahman 381 ± 10 kg, Hereford 376 ± 8 kg, and cattalo 353 ±5 kg. At a constant 24-h cold carcass weight, cattalo exceeded Hereford in carcass length (2.3%). Breed groups did not differ in mean fat thickness over, or area of, the longissimus dorsi, dressing percent, or transit shrink. At a constant carcass weight, the weight of the loin section was similar in all breed groups, but Hereford exceeded cattalo in round weight (2.6%), cattalo surpassed 1/4 Brahman in rib weight (4.3%), and 1/4 Brahman exceeded Hereford in shoulder weight (3.2%). Bison and cattalo were reported to have heavier front than rear quarters. This study suggests that the cattalo were not heavier in the shoulder but were lighter in the round than the Hereford and that the difference basically was in the weight of the hind shank.