Comparison of feedlot and carcass characteristics of Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Charolais, and Gelbvieh crossbred steers

Feedlot performance of 207 steers with various percentages of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Brahman, and Gelbvieh breeding were compared at a constant 1) days fed, 2) adjusted carcass backfat, and 3) slaughter weight. As the percentage of Angus, Hereford, or Brahman increased, growth rate decreased, whereas increasing the percentage of Charolais increased growth rate. Increasing the percentage of Gelbvieh increased weaning weight but had little effect on post-weaning gains. Increasing percentage of Charolais increased feed conversion efficiency, whereas the other breeds were similar, except that at a constant slaughter weight, greater percentage of Hereford improved feed conversion efficiency. Increasing the percentage of Charolais increased carcass weight and ribeye area and decreased yield grade, but marbling was not different from that of Angus. An increase in percentage of Hereford caused a decrease in carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling, and quality grade. Increasing percentage of Angus decreased carcass weight and ribeye area but increased marbling and quality grade. Increasing percentage of Brahman caused the greatest reduction of marbling and quality grade of any breed. Increasing the percentage Gelbvieh breeding resulted in increased ribeye area and decreased marbling at constant days fed and slaughter weight

Comparison of feedlot and carcass characteristics of Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Charolais, and Gelbvieh crossbred steers

Feedlot performance of 207 steers with various percentages of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Brahman, and Gelbvieh breeding were compared at a constant 1) days fed, 2) adjusted carcass backfat, and 3) slaughter weight. As the percentage of Angus, Hereford, or Brahman increased, growth rate decreased, whereas increasing the percentage of Charolais increased growth rate. Increasing the percentage of Gelbvieh increased weaning weight but had little effect on post-weaning gains. Increasing percentage of Charolais increased feed conversion efficiency, whereas the other breeds were similar, except that at a constant slaughter weight, greater percentage of Hereford improved feed conversion efficiency. Increasing the percentage of Charolais increased carcass weight and ribeye area and decreased yield grade, but marbling was not different from that of Angus. An increase in percentage of Hereford caused a decrease in carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling, and quality grade. Increasing percentage of Angus decreased carcass weight and ribeye area but increased marbling and quality grade. Increasing percentage of Brahman caused the greatest reduction of marbling and quality grade of any breed. Increasing the percentage Gelbvieh breeding resulted in increased ribeye area and decreased marbling at constant days fed and slaughter weight

Breed and management system effects on feedlot performance and carcass traits

Eighty nine steers with different proportions of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Brahman, and Gelbvieh breeding from rotational and terminal crossbreeding systems were produced in Louisiana and finished at KSU. Half of each breed group was placed in the feedlot at weaning (calves) and the other half as yearlings. Half of the each group was slaughtered at a low (0.3-0.4 in.), and the other half at high (0.5 - 0.6 in.) fat thickness. As percentage of Charolais and Gelbvieh breeding increased, feedlot performance improved. As percentage of Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Angus increased, carcass desirability improved. Steers started on feed at weaning were more efficient in feed conversion and were more profitable than those started as yearlings. Age did not affect carcass marbling or quality grade

Comparison of feeding calves vs. yearlings

Data from the 207 crossbred steers used in this study indicate that when calves are placed in the feedlot on a finishing ration at weaning, they will have better feed efficiencies, greater lifetime ADGs, lighter carcass weights, and equal carcass qualities compared to those placed as yearlings. In recent times, heavy carcass weights have been rather common in the industry. Every over-weight steer had a desirable weight at one time, and this study shows that they would have produced a desirable carcass if managed correctly