Effects of Angus or Hereford Sires Bred to Predominately Angus Cows on Steer Offspring Growth Performance and Carcass Traits

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine the effect of sire breed, Angus or Hereford, on steer offspring performance and carcass traits of predominately Angus cows.Materials and MethodsOver 6 yr, 342 fall-calving, mixed aged Angus and Angus-crossbred cows were bred to either Angus or Hereford sires. Cattle were housed with access to pasture at the University of Arkansas’ beef research unit. Calves were processed at birth and weaned early-to-middle of May. After weaning, steers grazed at the farm for 2 mo before being transported to the West Texas A&M research feedlot, located in Canyon, TX, and remained there until harvest. Steers were harvested when a minimum backfat thickness of 1.0 cm was achieved. For harvest, steers were transported to a meat processing plant in Friona, Texas. Carcass data was collected for analysis. For analysis and results, steers with Angus sires were referred to as Angus steers and steers with Hereford sires were referred to as Hereford steers.ResultsHereford steers had greater (P < 0.05) birth weight than Angus steers. The adjusted weaning weight was greater (P < 0.05) for Angus steers than Hereford steers. Angus steers had greater hot carcass weight (P < 0.05) and ribeye area (P < 0.05) compared to Hereford steers. Hereford steers had higher (P < 0.05) yield grade than Angus steers. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in backfat thickness between Angus and Hereford steers. Angus steers had higher(P < 0.05) marbling number score than Hereford steers. The number of months from birth to harvest was longer (P < 0.05) in Angus steers compared to Hereford steers.ConclusionSire breed affected various carcass traits of steers from cows that were predominately Angus.