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Postweaning Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Various Frame Size Steers on Forage Systems^1,2,

Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523

Abstract

Seventy-one primarily crossbred steers were divided into frame size categories 3, 4 and 5 (Missouri system), and their postweaning growth and carcass characteristics on forage systems were evaluated. After weaning in mid-October, steers were grazed on the follow-four treatments: (1) yearlong native range-, (2) native range most of the year and crested wheatgrass in the spring; (3) forage sorghum in the winter, crested wheatgrass in the spring, forage sorghum in the late summer and native range during the balance of the year, and (4) crested wheatgrass in the early spring, forage sorghum in the late summer and native range during other periods. At the end of the grazing period, 40 of the steers were slaughtered and carcass data were obtained. Steers that grazed forage sorghum during the winter period were heaviest at the end of the grazing period. Frame 5 cattle were heaviest and had the lowest condition. Postweaning average daily gain differences due to frame size were small and non significant. Frame size effects were significant only for percentage bone, with frame 5 steers having the highest percentages. Most other carcass differences due to frame size were small and non significant. However, there was a trend for the frame 5 cattle to be leanest and to have the heaviest carcasses and the lowest quality scores. These results indicate little advantage in average daily gain for larger frame cattle on postweaning grazing systems. The absence of a gain advantage for the large-framed cattle, coupled with their higher initial weight and possibly greater purchase price, would suggest an advantage for the smaller-framed cattle on grazing systems when gain potential is restricted.

¹ Approved for publication as Scientific Paper No. 2215 of the Colorado Exp. Sta.

² This research was supported in part by NSF RANN Grant No. AER77-04098.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci.