Efficiency of Weight and Retail Product Gain of Brahman, Boran, Belgian Blue, Piedmontese, and Hereford or Angus Sired Crossbred Steers to Alternative Endpoints

Abstract Text: Data were obtained on 843 crossbred steers produced by sires of two British breeds (HAx = Hereford or Angus combined), Belgian Blue [Bb], Piedmontese [Pd]), and three tropically adapted breeds (Tx; Boran [Bo], Tuli [Tu], and Brahman [Bm]) assigned to replicated pens over three years.  Quadratic regression of pen mean weights and cumulative metabolizable energy (ME) intake were used to estimate  efficiencies of live weight and retail product gain (g\Mcal ME) in time (0 to 214 days) and weight  (310 to 550kg) intervals and to fat trim (21% total fat trim) and marbling (Small 00 corresponding to USDA Low Choice) endpoints.  Breed effects were significant (P 05) for all estimates of efficiency. Efficiency of retail product gain was significantly greater for Bb and Pd than HAx or Tx steers in time and weight intervals but not to fat trim or marbling endpoints.   

Keywords: Beef breeds, Feed efficiency