SEX AND YEAR EFFECTS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE-WAY CROSS BEEF CATTLE REARED AT TWO LOCATIONS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

From 1973 to 1978, 3673 steers and heifers sired by Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) or Chianina (Chi) were born to first-cross dams under farm (Brandon, Man.) and range (Manyberries, Alta.) conditions. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S or L sires and out of H, A or Shorthorn (N) dams. All calves entered the feedlot at approximately 206 days of age. Brandon calves, fed at that location were brought to full feed (100% grain concentrate) by 220 days of age. Manyberries calves, fed at Lacombe, received a ration of cereal silage and grain concentrate with the silage component reducing from 70% to 30% over a period of 5 mo. The minimum slaughter age was 13.5 mo at both locations but age alone (13.5 and 15 mo) was the slaughter criterion at Brandon whereas Lacombe employed the dual criteria of liveweight and degree of finish. These location differences in feeding and slaughter criteria resulted in greater slaughter weights (278 vs. 265 kg), greater rib fat (1.61 and 1.09 cm) and a higher percentage of kidney fat (2.09 vs. 1.75%) for the Brandon animals. They were also reflected in the sex differences for age at slaughter (sexes equal at Brandon; heifers > steers at Lacombe) and degree of finish (sexes equal in rib fat at Lacombe; steers > heifers at Brandon). Heifers at Brandon had a larger percentage of hide (P < 0.0001) and lower dressing percentage (P < 0.0001) than steers. Percentage of head, front feet and hind feet were also less for heifers than steers at this location. Rib eye was greater for steers but heifers had greater rib eye area per unit weight (P < 0.0001) and a higher percentage of kidney fat (P < 0.0001). The sex ranking for percentage chuck, shank and flank was steers > heifers (P < 0.0001) and the reverse for percentages of rib, long loin and the combined cuts of rib, round and long loin (P < 0.0001). For percentages of lean in the long loin, rib and chuck the ranking was steers > heifers (P < 0.0001) with heifers > steers for percentage lean of round (P < 0.0001). Heifers relative to steers had significantly (P = 0.0001) lower percentages of bone in the round, rib and chuck and greater (P = 0.0001) lean to bone ratios for the combined trait of long loin and round. The sex differences observed at Lacombe for these traits were in good agreement with Brandon although sex by location interaction was not tested. Year differences were large but year-by-sex interactions were non-existent for virtually all carcass traits evaluated at both locations (P ≤ 0.05). Sire-by-sex and dam-by-sex interactions were also absent. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, carcass characteristics, year effects, sex effects

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

Carcass characteristics of 3673 steers and heifers born over a 6-yr period 1973–1978 at Brandon, Manitoba (farm conditions) and Manyberries, Alberta (range conditions) were compared. Calves weaned at Manyberries were fed and evaluated at Lacombe. The progeny were out of 10 specific F1 crosses of dams mated to bulls of the Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) and Chianina (Chi) breeds. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S and L sires out of H, A and Shorthorn (N) dams. Breed of sire of dam effects indicated that progeny from S cross cows generally had the heaviest carcasses S = C > L, the greatest carcass weight per day of age S = C > L, the highest percentage of dissected bone of the round S > C > L and rib S > C = L, the highest proportions of brisket S > L > C and flank S > L = C, and carried more kidney fat (percent liveweight) S > C = L and average rib fat S > C = L. Progeny from Limousin and Charolais cross cows had the highest dressing percentage [Formula: see text] and rib eye area/100 kg carcass wieght L > C > S while those from Limousin cross cows had the highest proportion of long loin and the combined lean cuts (rib, round and long loin) a higher percentage of dissected lean in the round L > C > S and the highest lean-to-bone ratio L > C > S. Progeny from dams of Shorthorn breeding generally had the heaviest carcasses, the greatest carcass weight per day of age, the highest percentage kidney fat and at Brandon the greatest proportions of plate and brisket. Hereford cross dams consistently produced progeny with the highest percentage head H = A > N, hide [Formula: see text], feet H > A = N, percentage bone in the long loin [Formula: see text], round [Formula: see text], and rib [Formula: see text], and the highest percentage lean in the long loin H > N (Brandon) and chuck H > N (Brandon). The progeny from Angus cross dams carried the greatest average rib fat [Formula: see text], had the greatest rib eye area/100 kg carcass weight [Formula: see text], the highest percentage lean in the round [Formula: see text], and the highest lean to bone ratio A > H = N. Key words: Cattle, breeds, carcass, cuts, composition


1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Thorpe ◽  
D. K. R. Cruickshank ◽  
R. Thompson

ABSTRACTCarcass characters for 365 male castrate cattle of the Africander, Angoni, Barotse and Boran breeds, and the reciprocal crossbreds of the latter three breeds, are reported. In each of the two year-of-birth groups, different slaughter-age/management regimes were used. For all carcass characters, except those related to size, the two sanga breeds, Africander and Barotse, were very similar, as were the two zebu breeds, Angoni and Boran. The introduced breeds, Africander and Boran, which had similar carcass weights, had heavier carcasses (+18 kg, +10%) than the indigenous Barotse and Angoni breeds.The sanga breed carcasses had less fat cover than those of the zebu breeds. Maternal effects were not important for carcass characters and the Angoni/Barotse and Angoni/Boran crosses showed no heterosis. In the Barotse/Boran crosses, slaughter and carcass weights and eyemuscle area gave between 8% and 9·5% heterosis, and the linear carcass measurements between 2% and 3%.It was concluded from the management comparisons that there was no economic advantage in delaying slaughter to the later of the two ages compared in the two year-of-birth groups.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-556
Author(s):  
T. A. VAN LUNEN ◽  
F. X. AHERNE

The effects of station of origin, station of test and genotype × environment interactions were evaluated for carcass characteristics of 121 backcross bulls. The results suggest that station of origin, station of test and genotype × environment interactions are not of any major importance in planning of breeding programs, performance tests and transfer of beef cattle with respect to carcass traits. Key words: Cattle (beef), carcass traits, genotype × environment interactions


1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. R. Hopkins

SUMMARYPre-weaning growth data from 3822 calves reared in 11 Victorian herds were analysed. The results suggested that the superiority of males (bulls) over castrated males (steers) in pre-weaning growth was due, at least partly, to the early castration of poorly growing male calves, i.e. to the effects of early selection. The extent of this selection bias was further examined using results from similar studies and from experiments in which bulls and steers were selected without bias. These studies strongly supported the view that the superiority of bulls over steers was primarily due to selection and not to sex effects. If sex did influence the bull-steer difference it was of no statistical or practical importance.In the Victorian data, the ratio of bulls to steers was higher in subclasses in which average growth rates were higher. When selection effects are correlated in this way with other environmental effects such as age of dam effects further biases may arise in estimation of those effects and hence in individual or mass selection.The results indicated, therefore, that unless bulls and steers are treated as one sex biases can arise in both individual selection and progeny selection.


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. H. Cohen ◽  
B. D. King ◽  
H. H. Nicholson ◽  
E. D. Janzen

In 1984–1985 and 1985–1986 groups of 136 and 127 male calves were used to assess the effects of multiple implants (Ralgro and Steeroid), castration time (early and late) and castration method (surgical and chemical) on growth to weaning and feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Ralgro increased calf rate of gain to weaning (P < 0.05) and adjusted weaning weight (P < 0.01) but did not affect rate of gain during the feedlot period. Although Ralgro increased (P < 0.001) weight at slaughter, it took longer (P < 0.05) for implanted cattle to reach Canada A1 than unimplanted cattle. Steeroid did not affect rate of gain to weaning but did increase (P < 0.05) adjusted weaning weight. Steeroid increased (P < 0.05) rate of gain relative to unimplanted cattle during the growing period in the feedlot and cattle implanted four times from birth to slaughter gained more (P < 0.05) than cattle implanted twice (birth and weaning). For the entire feedlot period, bulls receiving Steeroid gained faster (P < 0.05) than unimplanted bulls with no difference (P > 0.05) between implant groups (two or four implants). Ralgro implants increased (P < 0.05) carcass weight, rib-eye area and cutability while Steeroid increased (P < 0.05) only carcass weight. However, when rib-eye area was adjusted for carcass weight, the effect of Ralgro was not significant (P > 0.05). Bulls had greater (P < 0.05) shipping weight, carcass weight, rib-eye area, dressing percent and cutability than steers. Age at castration (early or late) had no effect on feedlot performance or carcass traits while method of castration (surgical or chemical) had some effects (P < 0.05) on ADG, liveweight, carcass weight and rib-eye area. Key words: Castration, Ralgro, Steeroid, beef, growth, carcass


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 897-903
Author(s):  
P. F. ARTHUR ◽  
M. MAKARECHIAN ◽  
M. A. PRICE ◽  
R. T. BERG

Data on 99 young bulls, which were the progeny of matings of either double muscle bulls and normal cows (DMx) or normal bulls and normal cows (N) born over three calving seasons, were analyzed to compare the carcass characteristics and lean yield of yearling DMx and N bulls. DMx carcasses had larger (P < 0.001) ribeye areas and cutability but smaller (P < 0.001) grade fat and average fat thicknesses than N carcasses, when the data were adjusted to either constant slaughter age (395.7 d) or constant carcass weight (304.7 kg). Muscle:fat and muscle:bone ratios and percent muscle in the 10th-11th-12th rib joint were higher (P < 0.001), while percent fat and percent bone in the rib joint were lower (P < 0.005) in DMx compared to N carcasses, when the data were adjusted to either constant grade fat thickness (10.0 mm) or constant rib joint weight (4871.4 g). The magnitude of the observed superiority of DMx over normal carcasses in lean yield was not the same across carcass grades. For A1 or A2 carcasses, rib joints from DMx carcasses had 8.8 and 5.7%, respectively, more (P < 0.05) muscle than those from N carcasses. Key words: Carcass characteristics, double muscle, crosses, cattle


1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

Carcass characteristics of 3673 steers and heifers born over a 6-yr period (1973–1978) at Brandon, Manitoba (farm conditions) and Manyberries, Alberta (range conditions) were compared. Calves weaned at Manyberries were fed and evaluated at Lacombe. The progeny produced were out of 10 specific F1 crosses of dams mated to bulls of the Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L) and Chianina (Chi) breeds. Dam crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by C, S and L sires out of H, A and Shorthorn (N) dams. Terminal sire breed differences in the paired comparisons involving progeny of the Chi (the comparisons with maximum degrees of freedom) indicated that their carcass weight per day of age averaged 1.1% greater than C, 3.6% greater than S and 6.4% greater than L at both locations [Formula: see text]. Simmental progeny had significantly heavier (P = 0.0001) hide weights as a percentage of liveweight and significantly lower (P = 0.0001) dressing percentages than the progeny from C, L and Chi sires. Limousin and Chi-sired progeny had the lowest percentage of hide weight and the highest dressing percentage. Limousin progeny averaged 5.2% greater rib eye area/wt (cm2/kg) than Chi progeny P = 0.0001). Chianina progeny had the lowest proportions (percent of hot carcass weight) of long loin, rib, brisket and flank and the highest proportions of round and the combined trait of rib, round and long loin (P < 0.05). Chianina progeny had the highest percentage of lean in the rib, chuck and long loin while L-sired progeny had the highest percentage lean in the round. Chianina progeny had the highest and L progeny the lowest percentage bone in the rib, chuck, round and long loin. Limousin progeny had the highest lean:bone ratios but least percent lean per day of age at the long loin and round. At both locations significant terminal sire breed by year interactions were observed for all traits. The interactions of breed of dam by year, by sex, and by breed of sire and the interaction of year by sex were nonsignificant. Key words: Cattle, breeds, carcass, cuts, composition


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
J. E. LAWSON

Environmental and genetic effects on preweaning growth traits were evaluated for 4034 calves born and 3732 calves weaned in second and later parities from contemporary populations of first-cross dams maintained at two locations, Brandon and Manyberries. The calves were sired by Chianina (Chi), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and Simmental (S) bulls mated to 10 F1 dam crosses representing the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine dam-cross combinations produced by matings of C, S and L sires with H, A and Shorthorn (N) females. Sex differences were important (P < 0.0001) with males averaging 7% heavier at birth and 5% higher in measures of postweaning growth than females. Location differences were negligible for birth weight (1.2%), but preweaning growth rate was 10–13% greater at Brandon (P < 0.0001) than at Manyberries. Year differences were large for all traits measured (P < 0.0001) and, with the exception of birth weight, were related to differences in annual weaning date. Progeny rankings by terminal sire breed were Chi > C (2.5%), Chi > S (4.2%), and Chi > L (11.4%) for birth weight (all P < 0.0001) and Chi = C = S > L by 6% (P < 0.0001) for all measures of preweaning growth. Ranking of the dam crosses by their breed of sire (DS) were C > S > L for birth weight (P < 0.0001) and S > C > L for preweaning growth (P < 0.0002). The paired DS comparisons indicated S > L by 9.1% and C > L by 2.7% for growth rate. Ranking of the dam crosses by their breed of dam (DD) were H = N > A (P < 0.0001) for birth weight and [Formula: see text] for preweaning growth traits. A location × dam cross interaction was evident for the Charolais × Shorthorn dam cross (P < 0.01). Progeny from all dam crosses except the LH and LA at Manyberries grew more rapidly than their contemporary controls (HA progeny) with the Simmental crosses averaging 11–14% higher than the HA. Genetic interactions involving breed of sire and breed of dam were absent. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, preweaning growth


1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Furnham ◽  
Tim Rakow ◽  
Ivan Sarmany-Schuller ◽  
Filip De Fruyt

In this study, 140 Belgian, 227 British, and 177 Slovakian students estimated their own multiple IQ scores as well as that of their parents (mother and father) and siblings (first and second brother and sister). Various factor analyses yielded a clear three-factor structure replicating previous studies. A sex × culture ANOVA on self-ratings of three factors that underline the seven intelligences (verbal, numerical, cultural) showed culture and sex effects as well as interactions. As predicted, males rated their own overall IQ, though not that of their parents or siblings, higher than females did. Males also rated their numerical IQ, but not their verbal or cultural IQ, higher than females did. There were few culture differences but many interactions, nearly all caused by Slovakian females, who rated aspects of their own and their fathers' IQ higher than Slovakian males, while the pattern for the Belgians was precisely the opposite. Participants believed their verbal IQ was higher than their numerical IQ and their cultural IQ. Males believed their verbal and numerical IQ score to be fairly similar, though much higher than their cultural IQ, while females believed their verbal IQ the highest, followed by numerical and cultural IQ. Females also believed they were more intelligent than both parents. Overall results showed consistency in the sex differences in ratings across cultures but differences in level of estimated IQ possibly as a result of cultural demands for modesty.


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