Breed differences in performance characteristics are an important genetic resource for improving efficiency of beef production. Diverse breeds are required to exploit heterosis and complementarity through crossbreeding and new composite breeds and to match genetic potential with diverse markets, feed resources and climates. This report presents preliminary results from an ongoing study at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) to characterize breeds of cattle representing diverse biological types for traits that influence quantity and value of production

Crouse, John D.

Cundiff, Larry V.

Dikeman, Michael E.

Gregory, Keith

Koch, R. M.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Range Beef Cow Symposium Animal Science Department December 1991 Characteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV of the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Larry V. Cundiff University of Nebraska - Lincoln, lcundiff2@unl.edu Keith Gregory R. M. Koch University of Nebraska - Lincoln, rkoch1@unl.edu John D. Crouse Michael E. Dikeman Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/rangebeefcowsymp  Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Cundiff, Larry V.; Gregory, Keith; Koch, R. M.; Crouse, John D.; and Dikeman, Michael E., "Characteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV of the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center" (1991). Range Beef Cow Symposium. 238. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/rangebeefcowsymp/238 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Range Beef Cow Symposium by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Proceedings, The Range Beef Cow Symposium XIIDecember 3, 4 & 5, 1991, Fort Collins, ColoradoCharacteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IVof the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at theU.S. Meat Animal Research CenterLarry V. Cundiff, Keith E. Gregory, Robert M. Koch,John D. Crouse and Michael E. DikemanAgricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of AgricultureRoman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, NE 68933,University of Nebraska, Lincoln andKansas State University, ManhattanIntroductionBreed differences in performance characteristics are an important genetic resource forimproving efficiency of beef production.  Diverse breeds are required to exploit heterosis andcomplementarity through crossbreeding and new composite breeds and to match genetic potentialwith diverse markets, feed resources and climates.  This report presents preliminary results froman ongoing study at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) tocharacterize breeds of cattle representing diverse biological types for traits that influence quantityand value of production.Experimental ProcedureThe Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) program has been conducted in four cycles.  Table 1shows the mating plan for Cycles I, II, III, and IV.  Each cycle was initiated by mating Herefordand Angus cows by artificial insemination (AI) to sires of diverse breeds.  Semen from the sameHereford and Angus bulls has been used throughout to produce control Hereford-Angus (originalHAx, sires born 1963-70) reciprocal crosses in each cycle.  In Cycle IV, new samples of Herefordand Angus (current HAx, sires born 1982-84) bulls were added to evaluate genetic trends withinthese breeds.  In Cycle IV, semen from 14 original control Angus, 11 original control Hereford,30 current Angus, 32 current Hereford (14 horned and 18 polled), 29 Longhorn, 24 Piedmontese,31 Charolais, 29 Salers, 31 Galloway, 22 Nellore, and 26 Shorthorn bulls were used by AI toproduce about 200 calves per sire breed in five calf crops (1986-1990).  Following an AI periodof about 45 days, one or two bulls each of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Pinzgauerbreeds were used each year by natural service in single-sire breeding pastures for about 21 days. These breeds were used in clean-up matings to increase ties to previous cycles and facilitatepooling of results over all four cycles.Calves were born in the spring, beginning in late March and ending in late May.  Calveswere weighed, tattooed, and tagged for identification.  Male calves were castrated within 24hours of birth.  Calves were creep fed whole oats from mid July until weaning in early October. Calves averaged about 170 days of age at weaning.  Following a postweaning adjustment periodof about 28 days, steers were penned and fed separately by sire breed for about 200 to 263 days. A growing diet (dry matter basis) containing 66% corn silage, 22% corn, 12% supplement wasfed until steers weighed about 700 lb and a finishing diet containing 25% corn silage, 70% corn,5% supplement was fed from about 700 lb to slaughter.  Representative samples of steers wereslaughtered serially in 4 slaughter groups spanning at least 63 days.  The steers were slaughteredin a commercial packing plant, and hot carcass weights were obtained and used to estimatedressing percent (100 x carcass weight/final live weight).  After a 24-hour chill, USDA yieldgrade (fat thickness, longissimus area, estimated % kidney fat) and quality grade (marbling,maturity) data were obtained.  The right side of each carcass was returned to the meat laboratoryat MARC and fabricated into boneless, retail cuts trimmed to .3 in fat thickness.  Retail cuts werethen trimmed free of fat (.0 in.) and reweighed.  Retail product (including all steaks, roasts andlean trim (trimmed to 20% fat basis)) from the right side was doubled to estimate retail productyield from the carcass in terms of weight and as a percentage of cold carcass weight.  Warner-Bratzler shear determinations of tenderness were taken on cooked rib steaks from each carcassfollowing standard procedures.  Palatability characteristics of cooked steaks were evaluated by atrained sensory panel.Table 1.  Sire breeds used in germ plasm evaluation programCycle I(1970-72)Cycle II(1973-74)Cycle III(1975-76)Cycle IV(1986-90)F1 crosses from Hereford or Angus dams (Phase 2)HerefordAngusJerseyS. DevonLimousinSimmentalCharolaisHerefordAngusRed PollBrown SwissGelbviehMaine AnjouChianinaHerefordAngusBrahmanSahiwalPinzgauerTarentaiseShorthornPiedmonteseCharolaisGelbviehPinzgauerHerefordaAngusaLonghornSalersGallowayNellore3-way crosses out of F1 dams (Phase 3)HerefordAngusBrahmanDevonHolsteinHerefordAngusBrangusSanta GertrudisaHereford and Angus sires, originally sampled in 1969, 1970 and 1971, have been usedthroughout the program.  In Cycle IV, a new sample of Hereford and Angus sires produced after1982 were used and compared to the original Hereford and Angus sires.All F1 females produced were retained to evaluate growth, age of puberty, reproductionand maternal performance through mature ages.  Heifers were fed in a drylot from weaning toabout 370 days of age on a diet containing 54% corn silage, 42% alfalfa haylage, 4% supplementuntil January and 45% corn silage, 54% alfalfa haylage and 1% supplement until they weremoved to grass in the spring.  Estrus was checked visually twice daily from an average age ofabout 250 days until the middle of the breeding season at about 420 days of age.Date at puberty was defined at date at first observed estrus confirmed by a subsequentestrus observed within 45 days.  Females were bred by natural service to Red Poll sires toproduce their first calves as 2-year-olds and subsequently to Simmental sires through matureages.  Preweaning management was the same as that described above for F1 crosses, except thatprogeny of F1 dams were not creep fed.Preliminary ResultsBreed cross means averaged over Hereford and Angus dams are presented in Table 2 forcalving difficulty, birth weight, calf survival, and 200-day weight for the five calf crops producedin Cycle IV of the program.  F1 progeny by current Hereford and Angus sires were heavier atbirth (5.8 lb) and weaning (29 lb) than F1 progeny by original Hereford and Angus sires,indicating that significant genetic change for growth rate accrued between the late 1960s and theearly 1980s in response to selection emphasis by seedstock breeders of both of these breeds.Relative to original Hereford-Angus crosses, the results for birth weight and 200-dayweaning weight of Charolais and Gelbvieh crosses were consistent with those observed inprevious cycles.  Relative to original Hereford-Angus crosses, the Pinzgauer sampled in Cycle IVwere heavier at birth, weaning and yearling than the sample included in Cycle III of the program. Weaning weights of Longhorn were the lightest.  Galloway were similar to Hereford-Anguscrosses by original sires in weaning weight.  Weaning weights of Shorthorn crosses were similarto Salers, Pinzgauer, Gelbvieh, current Hereford-Angus and approached the heaviest breedgroups, Nellore and Charolais.Breed cross means for final weight and carcass and meat traits are presented in Table 3for steers from the first four of five calf crops to be produced.  Differences among breed crossesfor final weight (417 days) correspond relatively closely to those observed for weaning weight,except that Nellore crosses were relatively lighter after the postweaning period which includedthe winter months indicating that Nellore crosses are not tolerant of cold stress.  Progeny ofcurrent Hereford and Angus sires were significantly heavier than progeny of original sires;however, carcass composition and marbling score were similar.  Breed crosses that excelled inmarbling score (Choice quality grade, Shorthorn, Angus-Hereford crosses) had the lowestpercentage retail product.  Breed crosses that had the highest yields of retail product(Piedmontese, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Salers and Nellore) had the lowest marbling score (Choicequality grade).Carcasses from Galloway and Longhorn crosses had higher percentage retail product, butwere lighter in weight than Hereford-Angus crosses.  Piedmontese crosses excelled in carcasscomposition.  Although Piedmontese crosses were comparable to original Hereford-Anguscrosses in final weight, they ranked second to Charolais in weight of totally trimmed (.0 in) retailproduct due to high dressing percentage and significantly higher retail product percentages thanother breeds.  Salers crosses were intermediate in growth rate to weaning and yearling ages. Marbling score was low but retail product yield as a percentage of carcass weight was relativelyhigh in Salers crosses.  Salers, Gelbvieh and Nellore crosses were comparable in lean growthpotential as reflected in weight of retail product at 417 days of age.Breed crosses ranked differently for marbling score than they did for tenderness (WBShear).  Shorthorn crosses and Hereford-Angus crosses excelled in marbling score but shear andsensory panel estimates of tenderness were comparable to those of other Bos taurus sired breedgroups with lower levels of marbling.  Marbling score was relatively low, but steaks wererelatively tender in Piedmontese crosses.  Marbling score was also low in Nellore crosses andtheir shear values were higher than all other crosses.  Steaks from Nellore crosses, like Bosindicus breeds evaluated earlier (Brahman and Sahiwal), were less tender than those from Bostaurus sire breeds.Breed cross means for 400-day weights, 550-day weights, puberty traits and conceptionrate of heifers are presented in Table 4.  Means for calf crop percentage, calving ease, birth andweaning weights of progeny are shown in Table 5.  It is emphasized that these results arepreliminary, including females from only the first three of five calf crops to be produced in CycleIV.  Results are presented from three calf crops of females born in 1986, two calf crops fromfemales born in 1987 and one calf crop from females born in 1988.  Means for traits such asconception rate, percentage calf crop born and weaned, and percentage calvings unassisted havelarge experimental errors due to their all or none (calf or no calf) nature and the limited numberof matings to date.Breed cross differences for 400- and 550-day weights in heifers (Table 4) correspondclosely to those for final weight (417 days) in steers.  Nellore crosses like Brahman and Sahiwalbreeds evaluated earlier in Cycle III of the program, were relatively older at puberty, but excelledin calving ease due to maternal effects reducing birth weight.  Birth weights of progeny andcalving assistance were relatively low for Longhorn F1 females.  Even though progeny hadrelatively high birth weights, calving assistance tended to be relatively low for Salers andShorthorn females.  Birth weights of progeny of Hereford-Angus cross females by current sireswere heavier than those by original sires but calving assistance was similar.  Progeny of Salers,Nellore, Shorthorn, Pinzgauer, and Gelbvieh sired F1 females were heavier at weaning than thoseof Piedmontese and current Hereford-Angus crosses which were in turn heavier than those oforiginal Hereford-Angus crosses or Longhorn and Galloway sired F1 females.Table 2.  Breed Cross Differences in Preweaning Traits Cycle IV - Phase 2 - Calves Born 1986-1990No. Calves 200-day WeightBreed groupof calfBorn Wnd. Calvingsunassisted%BirthweightlbCalfsurvival%UnitslbRatio %Original HA-XCurrent HA-X1921001859494.495.277.983.796.392.946549494.2100.0Charolais-XGelbvieh-XPinzgauer-X20322622618421121391.297.795.989.187.888.490.693.495.4505500497102.2101.3100.4Shorthorn-XGalloway-XLonghorn-X18117320217016418799.998.099.786.180.169.193.494.692.4496465441100.494.289.3Nellore-XPiedmontese-XSalers-X19720218918418817694.694.797.589.383.684.393.192.693.6509489499103.199.1100.9Table 3.  Breed Cross Differences in Final Weight and Carcass Traits of Steers Cycle IV - Phase2 - Calves Born 1986-1989RetailproductBreed groupof steerNo. Finalwt. lbDress.pct.%MarblingscoreWBshearlbFatthick-nessinRibeyearea sq in.3 intrim %.0 intrim%.3 intrimlb.0 intrimlbOriginal HA-XCurrent HA-X69291114120062.062.253952811.912.5.66.6210.9811.0368.068.362.262.5448489410448Charolais-XGelbvieh-XPinzgauer-X71948412391184116862.061.961.149950352712.911.910.9.38.36.4112.4312.2111.5071.271.770.366.066.565.0526505404486468447Shorthorn-XGalloway-XLonghorn-X72647611951066100262.062.361.856451651412.412.612.9.47.46.3711.2211.3510.8468.370.970.562.765.365.2485451419445415387Nellore-XPiedmontese-XSalers-X82636811481118118664.663.862.448949750015.611.813.7.49.30.4011.5713.2811.9570.274.570.964.669.965.6500510503460478465aMeans for weight and carcass traits at average slaughter age of 417 days.bMarbling score: Slight = 400 to 499, small = 500 to 599, etc.  Small meets minimal requirements forU.S.D.A. Choice quality grade.Table 4.  Breed Cross Differences in Growth and Puberty Traits Cycle IV - Phase 2 - HeifersBorn 1986-1989Age at pubertyBreed groupof heiferNo. 400-dayweight lb550-dayweight lbPubertyexpressed%Act.daysAdj.daysPreg.rate %Original HA-XCurrent HA-X774377982889394887.089.834434735035293.686.8Charolais-XGelbvieh-XPinzgauer-X72959382779982597193094978.679.590.034533033735534034290.185.094.6Shorthorn-XGalloway-XLonghorn-X50646983875870396687483885.986.674.334134634334835335588.982.093.3Nellore-XPiedmontese-XSalers-X71857380577282794290096243.989.395.136933335239433935588.697.789.5aActual age at puberty for the heifers expressing puberty (ranging from 43.9 to 90.0 percent) and meanage at puberty adjusted to 100 percent puberty basis.Table 5.  Breed Cross Differences in Reproductive and Maternal Traits Cycle IV - Phase 3 -Calves Born 1988-1990aCalf Crop 200-day WeightBreed groupof damNo. cowsexposedBorn%Weaned%Calvingsunassisted%BirthweightlbUnitslbRatio %Original HA-XCurrent HA-X13315689.388.186.085.575.277.579.882.944947993.7100.0Charolais-XGelbvieh-XPinzgauer-X11112713387.182.089.682.477.784.372.677.973.187.082.284.6488498492101.9104.0102.7Shorthorn-XGalloway-XLonghorn-X7311212389.782.094.585.079.885.780.882.385.288.078.077.7506441450105.692.193.9Nellore-XPiedmontese-XSalers-X11714111091.393.988.585.885.882.694.070.087.773.582.585.2503476511105.099.4106.7aData are for 634 matings of F1 females to Red Poll bulls to produce first calves at 2 years of age and 702matings of F1 females to Simmental bulls to produce their second and third calves at 3 and 4 years ofage.

Characteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV of the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Range Beef Cow Symposium Animal Science Department 
December 1991 
Characteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV of the Cattle Germ 
Plasm Evaluation Program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research 
Center 
Larry V. Cundiff 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, lcundiff2@unl.edu 
Keith Gregory 
R. M. Koch 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, rkoch1@unl.edu 
John D. Crouse 
Michael E. Dikeman 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/rangebeefcowsymp 
 Part of the Animal Sciences Commons 
Cundiff, Larry V.; Gregory, Keith; Koch, R. M.; Crouse, John D.; and Dikeman, Michael E., "Characteristics of 
Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV of the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at the U.S. Meat Animal 
Research Center" (1991). Range Beef Cow Symposium. 238. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/rangebeefcowsymp/238 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Range Beef Cow Symposium 
by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
Proceedings, The Range Beef Cow Symposium XII
December 3, 4 & 5, 1991, Fort Collins, Colorado
Characteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV
of the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at the
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Larry V. Cundiff, Keith E. Gregory, Robert M. Koch,
John D. Crouse and Michael E. Dikeman
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Clay Center, NE 68933,
University of Nebraska, Lincoln and
Kansas State University, Manhattan
Introduction
Breed differences in performance characteristics are an important genetic resource for
improving efficiency of beef production.  Diverse breeds are required to exploit heterosis and
complementarity through crossbreeding and new composite breeds and to match genetic potential
with diverse markets, feed resources and climates.  This report presents preliminary results from
an ongoing study at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) to
characterize breeds of cattle representing diverse biological types for traits that influence quantity
and value of production.
Experimental Procedure
The Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) program has been conducted in four cycles.  Table 1
shows the mating plan for Cycles I, II, III, and IV.  Each cycle was initiated by mating Hereford
and Angus cows by artificial insemination (AI) to sires of diverse breeds.  Semen from the same
Hereford and Angus bulls has been used throughout to produce control Hereford-Angus (original
HAx, sires born 1963-70) reciprocal crosses in each cycle.  In Cycle IV, new samples of Hereford
and Angus (current HAx, sires born 1982-84) bulls were added to evaluate genetic trends within
these breeds.  In Cycle IV, semen from 14 original control Angus, 11 original control Hereford,
30 current Angus, 32 current Hereford (14 horned and 18 polled), 29 Longhorn, 24 Piedmontese,
31 Charolais, 29 Salers, 31 Galloway, 22 Nellore, and 26 Shorthorn bulls were used by AI to
produce about 200 calves per sire breed in five calf crops (1986-1990).  Following an AI period
of about 45 days, one or two bulls each of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Pinzgauer
breeds were used each year by natural service in single-sire breeding pastures for about 21 days. 
These breeds were used in clean-up matings to increase ties to previous cycles and facilitate
pooling of results over all four cycles.
Calves were born in the spring, beginning in late March and ending in late May.  Calves
were weighed, tattooed, and tagged for identification.  Male calves were castrated within 24
hours of birth.  Calves were creep fed whole oats from mid July until weaning in early October. 
Calves averaged about 170 days of age at weaning.  Following a postweaning adjustment period
of about 28 days, steers were penned and fed separately by sire breed for about 200 to 263 days. 
A growing diet (dry matter basis) containing 66% corn silage, 22% corn, 12% supplement was
fed until steers weighed about 700 lb and a finishing diet containing 25% corn silage, 70% corn,
5% supplement was fed from about 700 lb to slaughter.  Representative samples of steers were
slaughtered serially in 4 slaughter groups spanning at least 63 days.  The steers were slaughtered
in a commercial packing plant, and hot carcass weights were obtained and used to estimate
dressing percent (100 x carcass weight/final live weight).  After a 24-hour chill, USDA yield
grade (fat thickness, longissimus area, estimated % kidney fat) and quality grade (marbling,
maturity) data were obtained.  The right side of each carcass was returned to the meat laboratory
at MARC and fabricated into boneless, retail cuts trimmed to .3 in fat thickness.  Retail cuts were
then trimmed free of fat (.0 in.) and reweighed.  Retail product (including all steaks, roasts and
lean trim (trimmed to 20% fat basis)) from the right side was doubled to estimate retail product
yield from the carcass in terms of weight and as a percentage of cold carcass weight.  Warner-
Bratzler shear determinations of tenderness were taken on cooked rib steaks from each carcass
following standard procedures.  Palatability characteristics of cooked steaks were evaluated by a
trained sensory panel.
Table 1.  Sire breeds used in germ plasm evaluation program
Cycle I
(1970-72)
Cycle II
(1973-74)
Cycle III
(1975-76)
Cycle IV
(1986-90)
F1 crosses from Hereford or Angus dams (Phase 2)
Hereford
Angus
Jersey
S. Devon
Limousin
Simmental
Charolais
Hereford
Angus
Red Poll
Brown Swiss
Gelbvieh
Maine Anjou
Chianina
Hereford
Angus
Brahman
Sahiwal
Pinzgauer
Tarentaise
Shorthorn
Piedmontese
Charolais
Gelbvieh
Pinzgauer
Hereforda
Angusa
Longhorn
Salers
Galloway
Nellore
3-way crosses out of F1 dams (Phase 3)
Hereford
Angus
Brahman
Devon
Holstein
Hereford
Angus
Brangus
Santa Gertrudis
aHereford and Angus sires, originally sampled in 1969, 1970 and 1971, have been used
throughout the program.  In Cycle IV, a new sample of Hereford and Angus sires produced after
1982 were used and compared to the original Hereford and Angus sires.
All F1 females produced were retained to evaluate growth, age of puberty, reproduction
and maternal performance through mature ages.  Heifers were fed in a drylot from weaning to
about 370 days of age on a diet containing 54% corn silage, 42% alfalfa haylage, 4% supplement
until January and 45% corn silage, 54% alfalfa haylage and 1% supplement until they were
moved to grass in the spring.  Estrus was checked visually twice daily from an average age of
about 250 days until the middle of the breeding season at about 420 days of age.
Date at puberty was defined at date at first observed estrus confirmed by a subsequent
estrus observed within 45 days.  Females were bred by natural service to Red Poll sires to
produce their first calves as 2-year-olds and subsequently to Simmental sires through mature
ages.  Preweaning management was the same as that described above for F1 crosses, except that
progeny of F1 dams were not creep fed.
Preliminary Results
Breed cross means averaged over Hereford and Angus dams are presented in Table 2 for
calving difficulty, birth weight, calf survival, and 200-day weight for the five calf crops produced
in Cycle IV of the program.  F1 progeny by current Hereford and Angus sires were heavier at
birth (5.8 lb) and weaning (29 lb) than F1 progeny by original Hereford and Angus sires,
indicating that significant genetic change for growth rate accrued between the late 1960s and the
early 1980s in response to selection emphasis by seedstock breeders of both of these breeds.
Relative to original Hereford-Angus crosses, the results for birth weight and 200-day
weaning weight of Charolais and Gelbvieh crosses were consistent with those observed in
previous cycles.  Relative to original Hereford-Angus crosses, the Pinzgauer sampled in Cycle IV
were heavier at birth, weaning and yearling than the sample included in Cycle III of the program. 
Weaning weights of Longhorn were the lightest.  Galloway were similar to Hereford-Angus
crosses by original sires in weaning weight.  Weaning weights of Shorthorn crosses were similar
to Salers, Pinzgauer, Gelbvieh, current Hereford-Angus and approached the heaviest breed
groups, Nellore and Charolais.
Breed cross means for final weight and carcass and meat traits are presented in Table 3
for steers from the first four of five calf crops to be produced.  Differences among breed crosses
for final weight (417 days) correspond relatively closely to those observed for weaning weight,
except that Nellore crosses were relatively lighter after the postweaning period which included
the winter months indicating that Nellore crosses are not tolerant of cold stress.  Progeny of
current Hereford and Angus sires were significantly heavier than progeny of original sires;
however, carcass composition and marbling score were similar.  Breed crosses that excelled in
marbling score (Choice quality grade, Shorthorn, Angus-Hereford crosses) had the lowest
percentage retail product.  Breed crosses that had the highest yields of retail product
(Piedmontese, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Salers and Nellore) had the lowest marbling score (Choice
quality grade).
Carcasses from Galloway and Longhorn crosses had higher percentage retail product, but
were lighter in weight than Hereford-Angus crosses.  Piedmontese crosses excelled in carcass
composition.  Although Piedmontese crosses were comparable to original Hereford-Angus
crosses in final weight, they ranked second to Charolais in weight of totally trimmed (.0 in) retail
product due to high dressing percentage and significantly higher retail product percentages than
other breeds.  Salers crosses were intermediate in growth rate to weaning and yearling ages. 
Marbling score was low but retail product yield as a percentage of carcass weight was relatively
high in Salers crosses.  Salers, Gelbvieh and Nellore crosses were comparable in lean growth
potential as reflected in weight of retail product at 417 days of age.
Breed crosses ranked differently for marbling score than they did for tenderness (WB
Shear).  Shorthorn crosses and Hereford-Angus crosses excelled in marbling score but shear and
sensory panel estimates of tenderness were comparable to those of other Bos taurus sired breed
groups with lower levels of marbling.  Marbling score was relatively low, but steaks were
relatively tender in Piedmontese crosses.  Marbling score was also low in Nellore crosses and
their shear values were higher than all other crosses.  Steaks from Nellore crosses, like Bos
indicus breeds evaluated earlier (Brahman and Sahiwal), were less tender than those from Bos
taurus sire breeds.
Breed cross means for 400-day weights, 550-day weights, puberty traits and conception
rate of heifers are presented in Table 4.  Means for calf crop percentage, calving ease, birth and
weaning weights of progeny are shown in Table 5.  It is emphasized that these results are
preliminary, including females from only the first three of five calf crops to be produced in Cycle
IV.  Results are presented from three calf crops of females born in 1986, two calf crops from
females born in 1987 and one calf crop from females born in 1988.  Means for traits such as
conception rate, percentage calf crop born and weaned, and percentage calvings unassisted have
large experimental errors due to their all or none (calf or no calf) nature and the limited number
of matings to date.
Breed cross differences for 400- and 550-day weights in heifers (Table 4) correspond
closely to those for final weight (417 days) in steers.  Nellore crosses like Brahman and Sahiwal
breeds evaluated earlier in Cycle III of the program, were relatively older at puberty, but excelled
in calving ease due to maternal effects reducing birth weight.  Birth weights of progeny and
calving assistance were relatively low for Longhorn F1 females.  Even though progeny had
relatively high birth weights, calving assistance tended to be relatively low for Salers and
Shorthorn females.  Birth weights of progeny of Hereford-Angus cross females by current sires
were heavier than those by original sires but calving assistance was similar.  Progeny of Salers,
Nellore, Shorthorn, Pinzgauer, and Gelbvieh sired F1 females were heavier at weaning than those
of Piedmontese and current Hereford-Angus crosses which were in turn heavier than those of
original Hereford-Angus crosses or Longhorn and Galloway sired F1 females.
Table 2.  Breed Cross Differences in Preweaning Traits Cycle IV - Phase 2 - Calves Born 1986-
1990
No. Calves 200-day Weight
Breed group
of calf
Born Wnd. Calvings
unassisted
%
Birth
weight
lb
Calf
survival
%
Units
lb
Ratio
 %
Original HA-X
Current HA-X
192
100
185
94
94.4
95.2
77.9
83.7
96.3
92.9
465
494
94.2
100.0
Charolais-X
Gelbvieh-X
Pinzgauer-X
203
226
226
184
211
213
91.2
97.7
95.9
89.1
87.8
88.4
90.6
93.4
95.4
505
500
497
102.2
101.3
100.4
Shorthorn-X
Galloway-X
Longhorn-X
181
173
202
170
164
187
99.9
98.0
99.7
86.1
80.1
69.1
93.4
94.6
92.4
496
465
441
100.4
94.2
89.3
Nellore-X
Piedmontese-X
Salers-X
197
202
189
184
188
176
94.6
94.7
97.5
89.3
83.6
84.3
93.1
92.6
93.6
509
489
499
103.1
99.1
100.9
Table 3.  Breed Cross Differences in Final Weight and Carcass Traits of Steers Cycle IV - Phase
2 - Calves Born 1986-1989
Retail
product
Breed group
of steer
No. Final
wt.
 lb
Dress.
pct.
%
Marbling
score
WB
shear
lb
Fat
thick-
ness
in
Ribeye
area 
sq in
.3 in
trim 
%
.0 in
trim
%
.3 in
trim
lb
.0 in
trim
lb
Original HA-X
Current HA-X
69
29
1114
1200
62.0
62.2
539
528
11.9
12.5
.66
.62
10.98
11.03
68.0
68.3
62.2
62.5
448
489
410
448
Charolais-X
Gelbvieh-X
Pinzgauer-X
71
94
84
1239
1184
1168
62.0
61.9
61.1
499
503
527
12.9
11.9
10.9
.38
.36
.41
12.43
12.21
11.50
71.2
71.7
70.3
66.0
66.5
65.0
526
505
404
486
468
447
Shorthorn-X
Galloway-X
Longhorn-X
72
64
76
1195
1066
1002
62.0
62.3
61.8
564
516
514
12.4
12.6
12.9
.47
.46
.37
11.22
11.35
10.84
68.3
70.9
70.5
62.7
65.3
65.2
485
451
419
445
415
387
Nellore-X
Piedmontese-X
Salers-X
82
63
68
1148
1118
1186
64.6
63.8
62.4
489
497
500
15.6
11.8
13.7
.49
.30
.40
11.57
13.28
11.95
70.2
74.5
70.9
64.6
69.9
65.6
500
510
503
460
478
465
aMeans for weight and carcass traits at average slaughter age of 417 days.
bMarbling score: Slight = 400 to 499, small = 500 to 599, etc.  Small meets minimal requirements for
U.S.D.A. Choice quality grade.
Table 4.  Breed Cross Differences in Growth and Puberty Traits Cycle IV - Phase 2 - Heifers
Born 1986-1989
Age at puberty
Breed group
of heifer
No. 400-day
weight
 lb
550-day
weight
 lb
Puberty
expressed
%
Act.
days
Adj.
days
Preg.
rate
 %
Original HA-X
Current HA-X
77
43
779
828
893
948
87.0
89.8
344
347
350
352
93.6
86.8
Charolais-X
Gelbvieh-X
Pinzgauer-X
72
95
93
827
799
825
971
930
949
78.6
79.5
90.0
345
330
337
355
340
342
90.1
85.0
94.6
Shorthorn-X
Galloway-X
Longhorn-X
50
64
69
838
758
703
966
874
838
85.9
86.6
74.3
341
346
343
348
353
355
88.9
82.0
93.3
Nellore-X
Piedmontese-X
Salers-X
71
85
73
805
772
827
942
900
962
43.9
89.3
95.1
369
333
352
394
339
355
88.6
97.7
89.5
aActual age at puberty for the heifers expressing puberty (ranging from 43.9 to 90.0 percent) and mean
age at puberty adjusted to 100 percent puberty basis.
Table 5.  Breed Cross Differences in Reproductive and Maternal Traits Cycle IV - Phase 3 -
Calves Born 1988-1990a
Calf Crop 200-day Weight
Breed group
of dam
No. cows
exposed
Born
%
Weaned
%
Calvings
unassisted
%
Birth
weight
lb
Units
lb
Ratio
 %
Original HA-X
Current HA-X
133
156
89.3
88.1
86.0
85.5
75.2
77.5
79.8
82.9
449
479
93.7
100.0
Charolais-X
Gelbvieh-X
Pinzgauer-X
111
127
133
87.1
82.0
89.6
82.4
77.7
84.3
72.6
77.9
73.1
87.0
82.2
84.6
488
498
492
101.9
104.0
102.7
Shorthorn-X
Galloway-X
Longhorn-X
73
112
123
89.7
82.0
94.5
85.0
79.8
85.7
80.8
82.3
85.2
88.0
78.0
77.7
506
441
450
105.6
92.1
93.9
Nellore-X
Piedmontese-X
Salers-X
117
141
110
91.3
93.9
88.5
85.8
85.8
82.6
94.0
70.0
87.7
73.5
82.5
85.2
503
476
511
105.0
99.4
106.7
aData are for 634 matings of F1 females to Red Poll bulls to produce first calves at 2 years of age and 702
matings of F1 females to Simmental bulls to produce their second and third calves at 3 and 4 years of
age.


https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1237&amp;context=rangebeefcowsymp

Characteristics of Diverse Breeds in Cycle IV of the Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

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