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Factors Influencing Performance and Sale Price of Beef Bulls

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 62901

Abstract

A 10-yr study was conducted involving 566 Angus, Charolais, Simmental and Hereford bulls to determine the effect of breed on performance parameters and to examine their influence on sale price. Performance traits analyzed included 140-d averge daily gain (ADG), 140-d feed:gain ratio (FE), lifetime weight/day of age (WDA), adjusted 365-d weight (365W), performance index, frame score and scrotal circumference. Main effects (breed and year) were highly significant (P < .01) for ADG, WDA, FE and 365W and (P < .05) for frame score and scrotal circumference. A breed x year interaction was found for ADG, 365W and performance index (P < .01) and for WDA and FE (P < .05). Results of trend analysis indicated linear changes over time that were different (P < .05) for Charolais and Simmental bulls vs Hereford bulls. Breed contrasts for 365W showed a quadratic response over time for Angus that differed (P < .01) from that of Charolais, Hereford and Simmental bulls and was different (P < .05) for Charolais vs Simmental bulls. Frame scores increased .196 units per year, and linear contrasts were found for Simmental and Angus bulls over the 9-yr study (P < .05). Scrotal circumference increased .44 cm/yr over the 6 yr measured, and a quadratic trend was significant for Angus vs Charolais. Phenotypic correlation coefficients among performance traits showed that adjusted 365W was correlated (P < .01) with WDA (.94), ADG (.72) and FE (–.31). Yearling frame score was correlated (P < .05) with 365W (.70), WDA (.70), ADG (.58) and FE (–.43). Also, scrotal circumference was correlated (P < .05) with WDA (.32), 365W (.30), ADG (.24) and FE (.19). Sale price ratio was correlated (P < .01) with performance index (.48), 365 W (.40), ADG (.39), WDA (.39), frame score (.33), FE (–.14) and scrotal circumference (r = .13; P < .05).

¹ Present address: Agric. Dept., Joliet Jr. College, Joliet, IL 60436.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci., Food and Nutr.

³ Address reprint requests to this author.