Growth and Compositional Characteristics of Young Bulls in Diverse Beef Breeds and Crosses

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Abstract
Growth and carcass composition of young bulls (n = 298) representing divergent breed types, including Bos taurus and Bos indicus × Bos taurus crosses, were evaluated. Breed groups were straightbred Hereford and Red Poll, Hereford × Red Poll reciprocal crosses, Angus × Hereford, Angus × Charolais-Cross, Brahman × Hereford and Brahman × Angus. Breed group variation was important (P<.01) in all traits studied except color of lean. Angus × Charolais-Cross bulls ranked highest for most major traits, but their carcasses were leaner and received relatively low quality scores in comparison with other breed types. Brahman × Angus bulls were fatter and graded higher than contemporaries; however, they ranked lower in cutability and were only average in estimated yield of edible product/day of age. Straightbred Herefords were below all other groups in edible cuts/day, but tended to excel in feed efficiency. Hereford crosses and straightbred Red Poll were generally intermediate in the traits that were evaluated. A diallel analysis of Hereford-Red Poll matings showed positive (P<.05) heterosis in feedlot gain, M. longissimus area, final feedlot weight (P<.01), dressing percentage, carcass weight, backfat thickness, and yield of edible cuts/day. The Red Poll breed exhibited superior maternal influence on growth and yield traits of young bulls; Herefords tended to transmit genes for faster growth, thicker backfat and less kidney fat. Increasing the length of the feedlot period resulted in higher marbling and carcass quality scores; however, growth traits, cutability and color of lean of young bulls were affected negatively. Copyright © 1982. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1982 by American Society of Animal Science

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