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Comparison of Two- and Three-Way Rotational Crossing, Beef x Beef and Beef x Brown Swiss Composite Breed Production: Postweaning Growth and Carcass Traits^1,2,

U.S. Department of Agriculture and Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Miles City, Montana 59301

Abstract

Data collected from steer and bull progeny, fed to a constant final feedlot weight over 11 yr, were used to estimate heterosis in post-weaning feedlot growth and carcass traits in two-way and three-way rotational crossing systems and a breed composite from crossing Hereford, Angus and Charolais breeds. Steer and bull progeny from matings of beef x Brown Swiss-cross sires and dams also were compared with the straight beef breeds and beef crosses. Growth traits evaluated were initial weight on test, 112-d weight, total feedlot average daily gain and total days from initial to final weight. Carcass traits included hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib eye area, 12th-rib fat thickness, kidney, pelvic and heart fat, yield grade and marbling score. Heterosis estimates for calves of all crossing systems were significant for initial and 112-d weight and for saving of days in the feedlot, but not for average daily feedlot gain. Heterosis estimates were small and nonsignificant for most carcass traits except for fat traits in specific crosses. Males from Hereford and Angus sires mated to Angus x Hereford dams had higher (P < .10) backfat than did the parental average. Male progeny from Charolais ranked higher (P < .10 to P < .01) than calves from Hereford and Angus sires for most growth traits. Progeny from Charolais sires were more desirable (P < .10 to P < .01) for traits related to cutability, but they had less (P < .05 to P < .01) marbling than calves of Angus sires. The beef x Brown Swiss-cross males exceeded (P < .05 to P < .01) the beef breed males for all growth traits and days in the feedlot. These calves tended to have less backfat than the beef groups, but for most carcass traits they compared favorably.

¹ USDA-ARS and Montana Agric. Exp. Sta., cooperating. Contribution No. J-2108 from Director, Montana Agric. Exp. Sta.

² The authors express appreciation to J. S. Brinks of the Colorado Agric. Exp. Sta. for his contribution to the planning of the experiment and to G. V. Richardson, Biometrical Services, USDA, ARS, Fort Collins, CO 80521 for helpful suggestions in the analysis of the data. The authors express appreciation to M. Krausz for data collection.

³ USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livest, and Range Res. Lab., Route 1, Box 2021, Miles City, MT 59301.

⁴ Retired. Present address: 1004 Cale, Miles City, MT 59301.

⁵ Montana Agric. Exp. Sta., Miles City 59301