Efficiency of lean meat production by British Friesian and Jersey steers

ABSTRACT 1. Eight-one British Friesian and 44 Jersey steers was slaughtered at 1. 12, 24, 48 or 72 weeks of age. Those aged 24 weeks and over were reared on a standard complete diet offered ad libitum, and individual food intakes were recorded until slaughter when carcasses were dissected on an anatomical basis. 2. From 1 to 72 weeks British Friesians were on average 50% heavier than Jerseys and consumed 47% more food. Total lean tissue (L) increased 11-fold to 137 + 6·4 kg in the British Friesians and 16-fold to 84 ± 4·7 kg in the Jersey. L as a percentage of live weight rose to 32% ±0·6 in the British Friesians and to 29% ±0·8 in the Jerseys. Breeds did not differ significantly in average efficiency of growth of lean tissue in any period. 3. From 24 to 72 weeks, an allometric relationship held between L and total food consumed postnatally, F. The two breeds had the same allometric coefficient of 0·61. Current efficiency, 0·61 L/F, was thus proportional to cumulated efficiency, L/F. Allowance was made for the prenatal input, Fo, required to produce the newborn calf. An optimum slaughter point at which overall efficiency, L/(F+F0), reached a maximum occurred in each breed when postnatal input was 58% higher than prenatal input (F = 1·58F0). When the breeds had equal maximum efficiency the British Friesian: Jersey ratios for prenatal input, total food consumed and total lean produced were all 2·6:1.