Symposium on Performance Testing in Beef Cattle: Evaluating Postweaning Performance in Beef Cattle

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Abstract
The format of this symposium indicates that it is the intent of the program committee that this discussion be concerned primarily with postweaning growth rate with perhaps some treatment of postweaning feed efficiency. To the extent that postweaning growth rate and feed efficiency may be genetically associated with other traits, such associations may be considered. To put things in perspective, it is appropriate to review the primary interests of the different segments of the beef cattle industry. The commercial producer is interested in cows with a long productive life that wean a high percent of heavy, high grading calves; the feeder desires rapid and efficient feed lot gains; and the packer and retailer are interested in the maximum amount of edible portion per unit of live or carcass weight. The consumer expects this edible portion to be tender, flavorful and juicy. Thus, this particular discussion involves the traits that are of direct concern to the feeding segment of the industry. Copyright © 1965. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1965 by American Society of Animal Science