BREED OF TERMINAL SIRE EFFECTS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE-WAY CROSS BEEF CATTLE REARED AT TWO LOCATIONS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Paired Comparisons ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Sire Breed ◽  
Carcass Cuts

Carcass characteristics of 3673 steers and heifers born over a 6-yr period (1973–1978) at Brandon, Manitoba (farm conditions) and Manyberries, Alberta (range conditions) were compared. Calves weaned at Manyberries were fed and evaluated at Lacombe. The progeny produced were out of 10 specific F1 crosses of dams mated to bulls of the Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) and Chianina (Chi) breeds. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S and L sires out of H, A and Shorthorn (N) dams. Terminal sire breed differences in the paired comparisons involving progeny of the Chi (the comparisons with maximum degrees of freedom) indicated that their carcass weight per day of age averaged 1.1% greater than C, 3.6% greater than S and 6.4% greater than L at both locations [Formula: see text]. Simmental progeny had significantly heavier (P = 0.0001) hide weights as a percentage of liveweight and significantly lower (P = 0.0001) dressing percentages than the progeny from C, L and Chi sires. Limousin and Chi-sired progeny had the lowest percentage of hide weight and the highest dressing percentage. Limousin progeny averaged 5.2% greater rib eye area/wt (cm2/kg) than Chi progeny P = 0.0001). Chianina progeny had the lowest proportions (percent of hot carcass weight) of long loin, rib, brisket and flank and the highest proportions of round and the combined trait of rib, round and long loin (P < 0.05). Chianina progeny had the highest percentage of lean in the rib, chuck and long loin while L-sired progeny had the highest percentage lean in the round. Chianina progeny had the highest and L progeny the lowest percentage bone in the rib, chuck, round and long loin. Limousin progeny had the highest lean:bone ratios but least percent lean per day of age at the long loin and round. At both locations significant terminal sire breed by year interactions were observed for all traits. The interactions of breed of dam by year, by sex, and by breed of sire and the interaction of year by sex were nonsignificant. Key words: Cattle, breeds, carcass, cuts, composition

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF BREED OF SIRE AND BREED OF DAM OF COW ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE-WAY CROSS BEEF CATTLE REARED AT TWO LOCATIONS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Dressing Percentage ◽  
Carcass Cuts

Carcass characteristics of 3673 steers and heifers born over a 6-yr period 1973–1978 at Brandon, Manitoba (farm conditions) and Manyberries, Alberta (range conditions) were compared. Calves weaned at Manyberries were fed and evaluated at Lacombe. The progeny were out of 10 specific F1 crosses of dams mated to bulls of the Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) and Chianina (Chi) breeds. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S and L sires out of H, A and Shorthorn (N) dams. Breed of sire of dam effects indicated that progeny from S cross cows generally had the heaviest carcasses S = C > L, the greatest carcass weight per day of age S = C > L, the highest percentage of dissected bone of the round S > C > L and rib S > C = L, the highest proportions of brisket S > L > C and flank S > L = C, and carried more kidney fat (percent liveweight) S > C = L and average rib fat S > C = L. Progeny from Limousin and Charolais cross cows had the highest dressing percentage [Formula: see text] and rib eye area/100 kg carcass wieght L > C > S while those from Limousin cross cows had the highest proportion of long loin and the combined lean cuts (rib, round and long loin) a higher percentage of dissected lean in the round L > C > S and the highest lean-to-bone ratio L > C > S. Progeny from dams of Shorthorn breeding generally had the heaviest carcasses, the greatest carcass weight per day of age, the highest percentage kidney fat and at Brandon the greatest proportions of plate and brisket. Hereford cross dams consistently produced progeny with the highest percentage head H = A > N, hide [Formula: see text], feet H > A = N, percentage bone in the long loin [Formula: see text], round [Formula: see text], and rib [Formula: see text], and the highest percentage lean in the long loin H > N (Brandon) and chuck H > N (Brandon). The progeny from Angus cross dams carried the greatest average rib fat [Formula: see text], had the greatest rib eye area/100 kg carcass weight [Formula: see text], the highest percentage lean in the round [Formula: see text], and the highest lean to bone ratio A > H = N. Key words: Cattle, breeds, carcass, cuts, composition

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC EFFECTS ON PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF CALVES FROM FIRST-CROSS COWS. I. CALVING EASE AND PREWEANING MORTALITY

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
J. E. LAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
The Other ◽  
Paired Comparisons ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Postnatal Mortality ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Sire Breed

Calving ease and calf mortality were studied for 4034 calves produced in second and later parities at two locations, Brandon and Manyberries, by contemporary populations of first-cross dams mated to four terminal sire breeds, Charolais (C), Chianina (Chi), Limousin (L) and Simmental (S). The dams represented 10 F1 crosses, the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine crosses produced by mating C, L and S Bulls with Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn cows. Calving difficulty and mortality were higher among males (P < 0.0001) than females. Calving ease was not influenced by location, but postnatal mortality, particularly of males, was substantially less at Brandon (P < 0.0001). Differences in calving ease among terminal sire progeny groups were not significant when the four breeds were mated to HA dams, but all paired or three-way comparisons involving the Limousin indicated the highest proportion of unassisted births (P < 0.0001) and the lowest incidence of difficult births (P < 0.006) for this sire breed. Terminal sire differences in postnatal mortality were not present among progeny from the HA dams, nor were they observed in the paired comparisons involving progeny of the Chi vs. those of the other three terminal sire breeds. For this trait, however, the paired comparisons among progeny from C, S and L sires indicated a ranking of C > S > L (P < 0.04). Breed of dam's dam (Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn) had no influence of calving ease or mortality, but breed of dam's sire (C, L, S) was important with progeny from L-sired dams having the highest incidence of unassisted births (P < 0.01) and the highest incidence of postnatal mortality (P < 0.06). The proportion of unassisted births increased as the experiment progressed (P < 0.001) and may have been associated with advancing age of the dams. There was, however, a large location × year interaction for this trait (P < 0.002) with Manyberries recording substantially greater calving difficulty than Brandon during the first 3 yr. Interactions involving calf sex, year of birth, breed of terminal sire and location were identified for calving ease. Calf mortality generally increased with increasing calving difficulty but the relationship between calving ease and mortality was influenced by the degree of precalving environmental stress on the dam. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, calving ease, mortality

The effect of castration age, method and implant regime on growth and carcass traits of male beef cattle

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. H. Cohen ◽  
B. D. King ◽  
H. H. Nicholson ◽  
E. D. Janzen
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Growing Period

In 1984–1985 and 1985–1986 groups of 136 and 127 male calves were used to assess the effects of multiple implants (Ralgro and Steeroid), castration time (early and late) and castration method (surgical and chemical) on growth to weaning and feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Ralgro increased calf rate of gain to weaning (P < 0.05) and adjusted weaning weight (P < 0.01) but did not affect rate of gain during the feedlot period. Although Ralgro increased (P < 0.001) weight at slaughter, it took longer (P < 0.05) for implanted cattle to reach Canada A1 than unimplanted cattle. Steeroid did not affect rate of gain to weaning but did increase (P < 0.05) adjusted weaning weight. Steeroid increased (P < 0.05) rate of gain relative to unimplanted cattle during the growing period in the feedlot and cattle implanted four times from birth to slaughter gained more (P < 0.05) than cattle implanted twice (birth and weaning). For the entire feedlot period, bulls receiving Steeroid gained faster (P < 0.05) than unimplanted bulls with no difference (P > 0.05) between implant groups (two or four implants). Ralgro implants increased (P < 0.05) carcass weight, rib-eye area and cutability while Steeroid increased (P < 0.05) only carcass weight. However, when rib-eye area was adjusted for carcass weight, the effect of Ralgro was not significant (P > 0.05). Bulls had greater (P < 0.05) shipping weight, carcass weight, rib-eye area, dressing percent and cutability than steers. Age at castration (early or late) had no effect on feedlot performance or carcass traits while method of castration (surgical or chemical) had some effects (P < 0.05) on ADG, liveweight, carcass weight and rib-eye area. Key words: Castration, Ralgro, Steeroid, beef, growth, carcass

A comparison of the progeny of British Friesian dams and different sire breeds in 16- and 24-month beef production systems 2. Carcass characteristics, and rate and efficiency of meat gain

1982 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Kempster ◽  
G. L. Cook ◽  
J. R. Southgate
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Mature Size ◽  
Sire Breed ◽  
Better Than

ABSTRACTCarcass characteristics of purebred British Friesian steers and crossbred steers by eight sire breeds out of British Friesian dams, in 16-month and 24-month beef production systems, were compared. Sire breeds included Charolais, Simmental and the main traditional British beef breeds. A total of 579 cattle were involved.The cattle were slaughtered at a fixed level of fatness and the carcasses evaluated using a standardized commercial cutting technique. Data were adjusted to equal carcass subcutaneous fat concentration.Sire breed differences were similar in both feeding systems. Charolais crosses killed-out best and Aberdeen- Angus and Devon crosses poorest; the range was 25 g/kg live weight.Significant differences were recorded between breeds in the proportion of saleable meat in the carcass (P<0·001): Charolais, Sussex and Aberdeen-Angus crosses had the highest values, on average being 15g/kg carcass weight better than purebred Friesians. Breed differences were detected in the proportion of total saleable meat occurring in the higher-priced joints, Simmental and Charolais crosses ranking highest, but the range across sire breeds was only 10 g/kg carcass weight. There were important differences between sire breeds in rate of meat weight gain that were related to mature size.Purebred Friesians were less efficient than either Charolais or Hereford crosses in converting food into meat in the 24-month system. Friesians also had the lowest efficiency and Hereford crosses the highest efficiency in the 16-month system, although the differences were not statistically significant.

GENETIC EFFECTS ON POSTWEANING GROWTH OF THREE-WAY CROSS BEEF CATTLE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Genetic Interactions ◽  
Cross Breeding ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Sire Breed

Genetic effects on postweaning growth traits were evaluated for 3592 crossbred steers and heifers fed at two locations, Brandon, Manitoba and Lacombe, Alberta during a 6-yr period (1973–1978). The calves were sired by Chianina (Chi), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and Simmental (S) bulls mated to 10 F1 dam-crosses representing the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine dam-cross combinations produced by mating C, S and L sires with H, A and Shorthorn (N) females. Progeny rankings by terminal sire breed for weight on-test were C = Chi = S > L. For the trait 140-d postweaning average daily gain, progeny rankings were C > Chi = S, C = Chi > L and Chi > S > L. The progeny from the majority of "exotic" cross-dams were heavier on-test, and had higher postweaning average daily gain than progeny from HA dams. Ranking of dam-crosses according to their breed of sire (DS) for the trait weight on-test were S > C > L. The DS comparisons for postweaning average daily gain were C > S > L. The ranking of dam-crosses by breed of dam's dam, for on-test weight and postweaning average daily gain were N > H = A. Genetic interactions (terminal sire by breed cross of dam) were absent. Genotype environment interactions involving breed of terminal sire with year, sex and location were found for weight on-test and postweaning average daily gain. All resulted from changes in the magnitude of breed of sire differences, not from changes in sire rankings. Key words: Cattle, breeds, cross breeding, growth

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC EFFECTS ON PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF CALVES FROM FIRST-CROSS COWS. II. GROWTH TRAITS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
J. E. LAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Genetic Interactions ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Sire Breed

Environmental and genetic effects on preweaning growth traits were evaluated for 4034 calves born and 3732 calves weaned in second and later parities from contemporary populations of first-cross dams maintained at two locations, Brandon and Manyberries. The calves were sired by Chianina (Chi), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and Simmental (S) bulls mated to 10 F1 dam crosses representing the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine dam-cross combinations produced by matings of C, S and L sires with H, A and Shorthorn (N) females. Sex differences were important (P < 0.0001) with males averaging 7% heavier at birth and 5% higher in measures of postweaning growth than females. Location differences were negligible for birth weight (1.2%), but preweaning growth rate was 10–13% greater at Brandon (P < 0.0001) than at Manyberries. Year differences were large for all traits measured (P < 0.0001) and, with the exception of birth weight, were related to differences in annual weaning date. Progeny rankings by terminal sire breed were Chi > C (2.5%), Chi > S (4.2%), and Chi > L (11.4%) for birth weight (all P < 0.0001) and Chi = C = S > L by 6% (P < 0.0001) for all measures of preweaning growth. Ranking of the dam crosses by their breed of sire (DS) were C > S > L for birth weight (P < 0.0001) and S > C > L for preweaning growth (P < 0.0002). The paired DS comparisons indicated S > L by 9.1% and C > L by 2.7% for growth rate. Ranking of the dam crosses by their breed of dam (DD) were H = N > A (P < 0.0001) for birth weight and [Formula: see text] for preweaning growth traits. A location × dam cross interaction was evident for the Charolais × Shorthorn dam cross (P < 0.01). Progeny from all dam crosses except the LH and LA at Manyberries grew more rapidly than their contemporary controls (HA progeny) with the Simmental crosses averaging 11–14% higher than the HA. Genetic interactions involving breed of sire and breed of dam were absent. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, preweaning growth

Prediction of lean content in the carcasses of beef cattle. II. From measurements of specific cuts

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. O. Fan ◽  
J. W. Wilton ◽  
W. R. Usborne ◽  
I. McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Important Predictor ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Prediction Equations ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Lean Weight ◽  
Carcass Cuts

Carcass data on 304 steers and 320 heifers from seven breed of dam groups were analyzed to test equations for predicting weight and proportion of lean content in beef carcasses from measurements of specific cuts. All dams were bred to Angus sires for first calving and to a Simmental sire for second and third calvings. Cattle by Angus sires were slaughtered at 10-mm backfat thickness evaluated ultrasonically; those by the Simmental sires at 7 mm. One side of each carcass was cut into eight cuts and separated into fat, lean and bone. Data were analyzed by multiple stepwise regression procedures. Prediction equations from each cut were obtained from the overall data and subpopulations by breed of sire, by sex and by breed of dam group. Cold-carcass weight accounted for the highest proportion of variation of lean weight in the side of the carcass, but it accounted for no more than 3% of the variation of proportion lean. Lean weight in hip and chuck, particularly in hip, was a most important predictor for estimating lean weight of the side. Total weights of each cut were also important predictors. Proportion lean in each cut alone was the strongest predictor of proportion lean in the carcass. Proportions of weights of cut in the carcass were also important predictors. Predictions of lean content (weight and proportion) in the carcass from dissected cuts of chuck and hip provided the most precise estimates. Average biases for breed of sire–degree of finish combinations, sex or breed of dam group were relatively small when an overall equation based on information from the hip was used. Key words: Beef, prediction of lean content, carcass, cuts, breed, sex

CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE-WAY CROSS PROGENY FROM CHAROLAIS-, SIMMENTAL- AND LIMOUSIN-SIRED F1 DAMS VS. HEREFORD × ANGUS DAMS

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-611
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
Dressing Percentage ◽  
Carcass Cuts

Carcass characteristics of 3673 steers and heifers born over a 6-yr period from 1973 to 1978 at Brandon, Manitoba (farm conditions) and Manyberries, Alberta (range conditions) were compared. Calves weaned at Manyberries were fed and evaluated at Lacombe, Alberta. The progeny produced were out of 10 specific F1 crosses of dam mated to bulls of the Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) and Chianina (Chi) breeds. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S and L sires out of H, A and Shorthorn (N) dams. The progeny from SN dams (Brandon) and the three S-cross dams (Lacombe) had the highest carcass weight per day of age and the progeny from LH dams (Brandon) and L dams (Lacombe) the lowest and equal to progeny from HA dams. The progeny from LN dams (Brandon) and the three L-cross dams (Lacombe) had the highest dressing percentage and the progeny from the SH dams the lowest and equal to the HA progeny. The progeny from HA dams at both locations had greater levels of average rib fat than progeny from the exotic-cross dams. At both locations, the largest rib eye area/wt (cm2/kg) was recorded by progeny from the LA dams and the smallest by progeny from the SN and CN dams and they did not differ from the HA progeny. The progeny from all exotic-cross dams at both locations recorded a higher proportion of round than progeny from the HA dams with the highest proportions being recorded by the progeny from LH dams (Brandon) and progeny from CH, CN and SN dams (Lacombe). The progeny from HA dams (Lacombe) exceeded the progeny from all exotic-cross dams in the proportion of long loin while the progeny from HA dams (Brandon) exceeded the progeny from CA, CN and SN dams. In percentage of lean in the round, the progeny from CN, SH and SN dams (Brandon) and SN dams (Lacombe) were the lowest and equal to progeny from the HA dams. The progeny from HA dams at both locations generally had the lowest percentage of bone in the long loin with progeny from the SN dams (Brandon) and progeny from CH dams (Lacombe) recording the highest percentage. The progeny from the SN and CH dams (Brandon) and the progeny from the SH and SN dams (Lacombe) recorded the highest percentage bone in the round with the progeny from CA, CN and LN dams (Brandon) and progeny from CA, SA, LH and LN dams (Lacombe) the lowest and equal to the progeny from HA dams. The progeny from exotic cross dams at both locations exceeded the progeny from HA dams in percentage lean per day of age for the combined trait long loin and round. The progeny from L-cross dams (Lacombe) had the highest lean-to-bone ratio of the combined trait long loin and round with the progeny from HA dams intermediate and equal to the progeny from the other dam crosses. At Brandon, the progeny from the LA dams had the highest lean-to-bone ratio with the progeny from the CH, CA, CN, SA and LH the lowest and equal to the HA progeny. Dam by year, dam by sex, year by sex and the genetic interaction involving breed of sire and breed of dam were not statistically significant. Key words: Cattle, breeds, carcass, cuts, composition

Slaughter and carcass traits of calves from first-cross and reciprocal back-cross beef cows

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Newman ◽  
A. K. W. Tong ◽  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
G. W. Rahnefeld ◽  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Back Cross ◽  
Breed Type ◽  
Bone Content

Breed-of-dam and sex-of-calf effects are reported based on observation of 2007 heifer and steer carcasses. The carcasses were derived from Limousin-sired calves born to dams representing 15 F1 and backcross genotypes reared at two locations over a period of 5 yr. The calves represented Hereford × Angus, Charolais × Shorthorn, Simmental × Shorthorn and all backcross combinations involving Charolais or Simmental with Hereford, Angus or Shorthorn. Carcass traits were analyzed on an unadjusted, a constant hot-carcass weight, and a constant rib-fat depth basis. The slaughter criteria dictated that steers were heavier at slaughter than heifers. They also exhibited higher dressing yield, greater longissimus thoracis area, and lower fat depth. Charolais and Simmental breeding was associated with less rib fat depth, greater longissimus thoracis area, a higher proportion of preferred cuts, less dissectible fat, more bone and more lean in the preferred cuts than British beef breeding. Within the European (Charolais and Simmental) and British beef (Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn) breed groups, breed effects were smaller, but for carcass composition traits they were frequently significant. When compared with Simmental, Charolais breeding tended to be associated with less marbling, less rib fat depth, less dissectible fat and more lean in the preferred cuts. Among the British beef breeds, Hereford was associated with the highest proportion of preferred cuts, Shorthorn with the lowest rib fat depth — but the highest dissectible fat — and Angus with the most marbling, the greatest longissimus thoracis area and the lowest bone content. This research has demonstrated that breed effects for carcass composition traits tend to be additive and that a significant effect may be associated with substitution of as little as one-eighth of the breed composition. Key words: Beef cattle, slaughter traits, carcass traits, breed type, crossbred dam, backcross dam

Evaluation of Angus, Charolais and Hereford as terminal sire breeds on Hereford and first-cross cows. I. Growth of progeny

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
PF Arthur ◽  
D Johnston ◽  
PD Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Adequate Nutrition ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Medium Quality ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Sire Breed

Pre-weaning growth of 482 Angus, Charolais and Hereford sired progeny out of straightbred Hereford (H x H) , and first-cross Brahman x Hereford (B x H) , Simmental x Hereford (S x H) and Friesian x Hereford (F x H) dams was evaluated. The dams grazed either high, medium or low quality pasture (pre-weaning pasture system) at Grafton, NSW. Progeny of dams from high quality pre-weaning pasture were slaughtered at 281 days of age for the vealer market. The progeny of dams from medium and low quality pre-weaning pastures were evaluated for post-weaning growth on pasture, on commercial properties in temperate NSW. They were slaughtered for either the yearling domestic (both sexes) or heavy export steer markets. Average daily gain (ADG) for the entire pre-weaning period was greater (P < 0.05) for Charolais (845 g/day) than Angus (790 g/day) and Hereford (783 g/day) sired progeny. This resulted in a higher ( P < 0.05) weaning weight of Charolais sired progeny of dams on high or medium quality pre-weaning pasture. On low quality pasture, however, sire breed differences in weaning weight were not significant (P > 0.05). This indicates that adequate nutrition should be provided for Charolais sired progeny to express their higher growth potential. Post-weaning ADG of Charolais sired progeny was higher (P < 0.05) than that of Angus or Hereford sired progeny, resulting in 14 months liveweight (for yearling domestic cattle) of 370, 345 and 345 kg and 27 months liveweight (for heavy export steers) of 635, 585 and 569 kg for Charolais, Angus and Hereford sired progeny respectively. Progeny of B x H dams on medium or low quality pre-weaning pastures had the highest pre-weaning ADG and weaning weight, but the lowest post-weaning ADG. This resulted in 27 months liveweight of 558, 582, 628 and 616 kg for steer progeny from H x H, B x H, S x H and F x H dams respectively.

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