Abstract
Comprest type steer calves, when individually fed to a low choice slaughter grade, gained as efficiently per unit of feed eaten as did conventional type steer calves. The conventional type steers ate more, gained more per day, and reached the slaughter grade of low choice weighing about 20 percent more than the comprest steers. Differences in rate of gain and slaughter weights were highly significant. Differences in efficiency of gain, days on feed and slaughter ages were not significant. Dressing percentages were consistently and significantly different. Conventional type steers dressed 1 percent higher. Comprest type steer carcasses were graded the same on finish but about 20 percent higher on compactness. There were highly significant differences in carcass weights. Comprest type carcasses averaged 394 pounds; conventional type carcasses averaged 498 pounds. Physical separation of the 9–10–11 rib cuts into bone, lean and fat showed almost identical composition for the two types. The percentages of the major cuts in the carcasses of the two types were similar. Copyright © . .