Factors Contributing to the Difference in Dressing Percentage Between Hereford and Brahman × Hereford Steers

Abstract

Eighteen Hereford and 20 Brahman × Hereford steers from Hereford dams raised under the same conditions and fed alike on a growing ration and a fattening ration were slaughtered and compared. Dressoff items were weighed in an attempt to account for the 2 to 3% advantage in dressing percentage of the crossbred Brahman steers. Shrinkage in trucking about 110 miles was about the same for the two groups, but the Hereford steers showed about 1.5% more shrinkage on overnight stand before slaughter when water but no feed was available. Based on slaughter weight and chilled carcass weight the dressing percentage was 60.25 for the Herefords and 62.98 for the crossbreds. The contents of the digestive tract amounted to 7.84% of the slaughter weight of the Herefords, and 6.15% for the crossbreds. Most of this difference was found in the paunch. The empty digestive tract was 6.02% of the slaughter weight for the Herefords, and 5.34% for the crossbreds. Other dressoff items exerted little influence on the 2 to 3% yield difference noted consistently over a four year period for the two breeds. Hereford steers made better use of the high concentrate ration as shown by gains and grades when compared to Hereford steers on the low concentrate ration. Ration had little effect on gains or grades of the crossbred Brahman × Hereford steers. Sires within breeds caused a significant (.05 level) difference in total fill in the digestive tract, which suggests inheritance of digestive capacity or eating habits or both.