CANNON BONE AND RIBEYE MEASUREMENTS OF SHORTHORN COMPARED WITH CROSSBRED BEEF STEERS

Shorthorn, Angus, Hereford and Charolais bulls were mated to Shorthorn cows, for the production of four different groups of cattle. At approximately 22 months of age, 63 of these steers were slaughtered, following a uniform feeding period in which all groups received the same roughage and grain ration. At this age all crossbreds weighed significantly (P < 0.01) more than the Shorthorn × Shorthorn. The cannon bone weight, length, circumference and thickness of the Charolais × Shorthorn steers was larger (P < 0.01) than those for all other breeds, except Hereford × Shorthorn for circumference and thickness. The Hereford × Shorthorn were superior (P < 0.05 or < 0.01) to the Angus × Shorthorn and Shorthorn × Shorthorn for the four cannon bone measurements when compared on the basis of the observed live weight but not always when compared on the basis of covariance adjusted live weight. Ribeye area was larger (P < 0.05 or < 0.01) for the Charolais × Shorthorn than for all other breeds. Ribeye area of individual breeds and breeds treated together was not associated with cannon bone measurements, when either observed or constant live weight was used.