Abstract
Economic efficiency was evaluated for a terminal-cross production system in which Hereford and Angus cows were bred to Hereford, Angus, Jersey, South Devon, Limousin, Charolais and Simmental bulls. Consideration was given to level of calving difficulty, preweaning survival, growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass composition and quality grade. Sire breeds were compared for retail product cost, profit per calf and profit per cow at age- (217 days on feed), weight- (5 30 kg slaughter weight) and grade-constant (5% longissimus fat) slaughter end points separately by age-of-cow subclass. Limousin, Charolais and Simmental crosses were generally favored for all cow ages, slaughter end points and evaluation criteria. South Devon and Hereford-Angus reciprocal crosses tended to have similar merit and to rank intermediate between the straightbred Hereford and Angus and the favored Limousin, Charolais and Simmental crosses. Jersey crosses ranked low in all comparisons. Alterations of grain/forage and choice/good price ratios had minimal effect on the interpretation of results. The apparent ability of cattle which have increased growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass merit to offset large differences in cost per calf weaned suggested that calves out of the large, growthy breeds should warrant a premium in the market place.
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