HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cundiff, L. V. Articles by Dickerson, G. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cundiff, L. V. Articles by Dickerson, G. E.

Genetic Relationships among Growth and Carcass Traits of Beef Cattle¹

U.S. Department of Agriculture and University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68503

Abstract

Analyses of genetic variation in beef cattle have indicated that selection for rapid growth rate should improve efficiency of gain because of the high heritability of gain (Gregory, 1969) and its favorable associations with feed conversion (Koch et al., 1963; Swiger et al., 1962; Swiger et al., 1965) and value of retail product above feed cost (Swiger et al., 1965). Differences in final weight account for 80 to 88% of the variation in weight of boneless retail trimmed beef on an age constant basis (Cundiff and Gregory, 1968). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expected effect of selection for growth rate on composition and quality of beef carcasses and to further evaluate the genetic relationships among various indicators of carcass quality and composition and yields of retail product, fat trim and bone.

The data were obtained on 503 steers in 75 sire progeny groups produced from 1961 through 1965 in the heterosis experiment involving Angus, Herefords and Shorthorns at the Fort Robinson Beef Cattle Research Station.

¹ Department of Animal Science, published with the approval of the Director as Paper Number 3012, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. Contribution from North Central Regional Project NC-1, Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods.

² Beef Cattle Research Branch, Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S., Lincoln, Nebraska 68503.

³ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S. Clay Center, Nebraska 68933.

⁴ Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68503.

⁵ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S., U.S.D.A.

⁶ The authors acknowledge the cooperation of personnel at the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station for their assistance in obtaining the carcass cut-out data for this study.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Rios-Utrera, L. V. Cundiff, K. E. Gregory, R. M. Koch, M. E. Dikeman, M. Koohmaraie, and L. D. Van Vleck Genetic analysis of carcass traits of steers adjusted to age, weight, or fat thickness slaughter endpoints J Anim Sci, April 1, 2005; 83(4): 764 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]