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Comparison of Charolais and Limousin as Terminal Cross Sire Breeds^1,2,

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078

Abstract

Birth, weaning, feedlot and carcass traits were evaluated on 1,181 calves sired by Charolais and Limousin bulls out of eight crossbred dam groups (Hereford x Angus, Angus x Hereford, Simmental x Angus, Simmental x Hereford, Brown Swiss x Angus, Brown Swiss x Hereford, Jersey x Angus, Jersey x Hereford). Calves were born in the spring over a 4-yr period during which dams ranged from 3 to 8 yr of age. Charolais-cross calves were 2.7 kg heavier (P<.01) at birth and had a 9.9% higher (P<.01) incidence of difficult calvings and 4.6% greater (P<.05) preweaning death loss than did Limousin crosses. Charolais-sired calves out-gained Limousin-sired calves by 31 g/d (P<.01) from birth to weaning and were 9 kg heavier (P<.01) at weaning. After weaning, calves were self-fed a finishing diet and slaughtered as each animal attained an estimated carcass grade of low Choice. Charolais-cross calves gained 60 g/d faster (P<.01) than Limousin crosses, were fed 6.8 fewer d and were 17.3 kg heavier (P<.01) at slaughter. Feed efficiency was similar for both sire breeds. On a grade-equivalent basis, Charolais crosses produced 7 kg heavier (P<.01) cracass and had 22 g more carcass weight per day of age (P<.01). Charolais crosses had slightly less internal and external fat. Dressing percentage was higher for Limousin cross calves (64.6 vs 63.9%, P<.01). Longissimus muscle area and carcass cutability were similar for crosses of both sire breeds.

¹ Journal Article 4508 of the Agr. Exp. Sta., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater. Research was conducted by the Anim. Sci. Dept. (OAES Project 1502) in cooperation with USDA, SEA, Southern Region and contributes to the Regional Beef Cattle Breeding Project, NC-1.

² The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Dr. Lowell Walters in collecting the carcass data.

³ Present address: R.R. 1, Noonan, ND 58765.