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 Comerford, J. W. Articles by Johnson, M. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Comerford, J. W. Articles by Johnson, M. H.

Evaluation of Performance Characteristics in a Diallel among Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford and Brahman Beef Cattle. II. Carcass Traits¹

University of Georgia², Athens 30602

Abstract

Evaluations of steer and heifer progeny from a diallel mating design of Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford and Brahman beef cattle over 5 yr are presented. Traits evaluated included final weight, hot carcass weight, ribeye area, 12th rib fat thickness, marbling score, yield grade, dressing percentage and percentage of kidney, pelvic and heart fat. Progeny of Simmental sires were heavier at slaughter than those with Brahman sires (P<.05), but no differences were found for carcass weight. Dressing percentage was higher for Limousin crosses compared with progeny of other sire breeds (P<.05). Similar results were found for dam breeds, except that progeny of Limousin dams had heavier carcasses with a higher dressing percentage (P<.05) than Brahman crosses. Crosses of Limousin and Simmental had larger ribeye areas (P<.05) compared with calves of the other breeds. Progeny of Polled Hereford dams had higher marbling scores and were fatter than progeny of dams of other breeds (P<.05). Heterosis estimates were significant for all Brahman crosses for final weight, carcass weight and ribeye area, but these contrasts were negligible for other traits. Estimates of general combining ability were positive and significant for Simmental for final weight, carcass weight, ribeye area and marbling score and were significant and negative for Limousin for final weight, fat thickness and yield grade. Maternal values were generally small.

¹ This study was partially funded by the Georgia Agric. Exp. Sta. and it is part of a Hatch Project, H608.

² Anim. and Dairy Sci. Dept.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. L. Gruber, J. D. Tatum, T. E. Engle, K. J. Prusa, S. B. Laudert, A. L. Schroeder, and W. J. Platter Effects of ractopamine supplementation and postmortem aging on longissimus muscle palatability of beef steers differing in biological type J Anim Sci, January 1, 2008; 86(1): 205 - 210. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Rios-Utrera, L. V. Cundiff, K. E. Gregory, R. M. Koch, M. E. Dikeman, M. Koohmaraie, and L. D. Van Vleck Effects of age, weight, and fat slaughter end points on estimates of breed and retained heterosis effects for carcass traits J Anim Sci, January 1, 2006; 84(1): 63 - 87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]