A comparison of the growth feed efficiency and carcass characteristics between pure bred holstein friesian steers and limousin x holstein f 1 steers and heifers
Forrest, R.J.
Canadian Journal of Animal Science 61(3): 515-522
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-3984 Accession: 004564431
The feed consumption at 3 growth stages (200-300, 300-400 and 400-500 kg) of 20, 21 and 20 animals in each of these 3 groups, respectively, were assessed. The 2 steer groups outgained the heifers at all 3 stages of growth, while the Lim [Limousin] .times. Hol [Holstein] steers gained significantly faster (P < 0.05) than the HF [Holstein-Friesian] only during the 300-400 kg growth phase. Rates of growth during the 400-500 kg phase were 1.46, 1.53 and 1.04 kg/day for the HF, Lim .times. Hol steers and heifers, respectively. The heifers had the most estimated carcass fat (20.61%), the Lim .times. Hol steers that least (15.97%), and the HF were intermediate (18.07%) (P < 0.05). The Lim .times. Hol steers had the greatest amount of carcass lean (74.20%) (P < 0.05) and the Lim .times. Hol groups were superior to the HF in carcass conformation when expressed in terms of proportion of high-priced cuts (hind and back). These results indicate that the Lim .times. Hol steers produced better cutting and more desirable carcasses than purebred Holstein-Friesian steers and the Lim .times. Hol heifers. The HF steers and Lim .times. Hol heifers were similar in lean meat production (70.33 .+-. 0.17%).