Abstract
Jersey bull calves and steers produce high quality meat; however, the growth rate of Jersey bull calves for veal and beef are low in comparison to other dairy breeds. This could be improved by crossbreeding with beef breeds. In the current study, the veal and beef production of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey (F × J) bull calves and steers were compared. Bull calves were reared intensively for veal up to a carcass weight not exceeding 100 kg, or as steers for beef to 21 months of age. In both veal and steer production systems, the mean birth weight of F × J bull calves was higher (P < 0.001) than Jersey bull calves, i.e. 33.5 ± 1.2 kg vs. 27.9 ± 1.2 kg and (33.4 ± 0.9 kg vs. 26.9 ± 0.9 kg, respectively. The body weight of Jersey and F × J veal calves at 6 months of age differed (P < 0.01) being 163.5 ± 3.9 and 180.6 ± 4.0 kg respectively. This could be attributed to a higher (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) of 0.82 ± 0.02 kg/day for F × J compared to 0.73 ± 0.02 kg/day for Jersey bull calves. Marketing age in the veal production system differed (P < 0.001) with Jersey and F×J bull calves marketed at 7.1 ± 0.1 and 6.3 ± 0.1 months of age, respectively. End live weight at 21 months of age of Jersey and F × J differed (P < 0.01) being 322.6 ± 13.4 and 441.4 ± 14.9 kg respectively. This was due to a higher (P < 0.01) average daily gain in F × J vs. Jersey steers, i.e. 0.64 ± 0.02 and 0.46 ± 0.0 kg/day, respectively. Fleckvieh × Jersey steers had a higher (P < 0.01) carcass weight at 21 months of age being 206.5 ± 8.9 kg vs. 157.9 ± 8.6 kg respectively. These results indicated the potential of improving beef production characteristics of the Jersey cattle through crossbreeding.
Highlights
Dairy breeding programs aim to improve the milk production traits, as these are the main source of income for dairy enterprises
Given the numbers of bull calves produced in dairy enterprises, significant income can be obtained from bull calves if their beef production traits are improved
The least square means and standard errors of the effect of breed on beef production of Jersey and F × J veal calves and steers are shown in Table 1 and Table 2
Summary
Dairy breeding programs aim to improve the milk production traits, as these are the main source of income for dairy enterprises. Specialization of farming systems has resulted in most dairy herds becoming purely milk production enterprises in contrast to past systems. Breeding and selection programs towards increased milk yield have resulted in cows showing more dairy character or “sharpness”, with cows having a lower beef production potential [1]. Bull calves are produced from dairy enterprises and are ordinarily raised for veal and beef production in most dairy enterprises in South Africa. As dairy animals, their beef production characteristics are poor; the beef production potential from South African dairy herds is not fully exploited. Given the numbers of bull calves produced in dairy enterprises, significant income can be obtained from bull calves if their beef production traits are improved
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