J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1986. 62:950-957.
© 1986 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Anderson, D. C.
Right arrow Articles by Blackwell, R. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Anderson, D. C.
Right arrow Articles by Blackwell, R. L.

Heterosis among Closed Lines of Hereford Cattle. III. Postweaning Growth and Carcass Traits in Steers1

D. C. Anderson2, D. D. Kress3, P. J. Burfening3 and R. L. Blackwell3

Northern Agricultural Research Center, Havre, MT 59501 and Montana State University, Bozeman 59717

Abstract

Feedlot and carcass characteristics of 276 steers from five closed lines of Hereford cattle and reciprocal crosses among these lines were studied. The traits studied were initial weight, final weight, 224-d gain, days on test, hot carcass weight, marbling score, longissimus muscle area, fat thickness, yield grade, dressing percentage and shear force. Year of record was a significant source of variation for most traits. Age of dam was a significant source of variation for growth traits but not carcass traits. Line of sire affected initial weight, final weight, 224-d gain, days on test, marbling score and dressing percentage. Significant heterosis was observed only for hot carcass weight. Heterosis estimates were 1.9% for initial weight, 2.2% for final weight, 2.5% for 224-d gain, -2.1% for days on test, .6% for hot carcass weight, -.6% for marbling score, 0 for carcass grade, .6% for longissimus muscle area, 2.3% for backfat thickness, .9% for yield grade, -.9% for dressing percent and -10.9% for shear force. Initial age on test affected only hot carcass weight. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, marbling score, longissimus muscle area and fat thickness were affected by slaughter weight. Slaughter age affected dressing percent and marbling score.

Footnotes

1 Published with approval of the Director of the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta., Journal Series No. 1631.

2 Northern Agr. Res. Center, Star Rt. 36, Box 43, Havre, MT 59501.

3 Dept. of Anim. and Range Sci.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1986 by the American Society of Animal Science.