Live animal performance, carcass characteristics and palatability of various breeds and crosses

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate live performance, carcass characteristics and palatability traits of 220 steers. The first study involved progeny from 13 Hereford sires. Comparisons were made between progeny sired by bulls imported from England and a progeny group sired by bulls of domestic breeding. Comparisons were also made among progeny grouped according to similarities in the selection and breeding background of their sires. There were no significant differences in weaning performance between progeny (steers and heifers) sired by bulls from different origins (imported vs. domestic) nor among sire groups. Differences in weight per day of age (WDA) at the end of the feedlot test and at slaughter favored progeny (steer) from the imported bulls. There were no differences in important carcass traits between progeny from sires of different origins except those associated with growth (carcass WDA). Carcasses from the various progeny groups were similar in composition, muscling, yield of edible portion and palatability. In the second experiment an evaluation was made of steer progeny produced by Hereford dams and sired by bulls of Simmental, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Lincoln Red, Brown Swiss, Charolais, Angus and Hereford breeds. For a time-constant feeding period the Simmental, Maine Anjou and Lincoln Red sired crossbreeds were significantly faster gaining than the other groups, but less difference in gain was evident for the period from birth to slaughter. The groups segregated according to the origin of sire breed when considering quantitative and qualitative carcass characteristics. Progeny from British sires (Hereford, Angus and Lincoln Red) had carcasses of similar quality, greater fat thickness, higher fat percentage and lower yields of lean meat than other breeds..