Preweaning, Feedlot and Carcass Characteristics of Calves Sired by Continental, Brahman and Brahman-Derivative Sires in Subtropical Florida2

The effects of Brahman, Brangus, Beef-master, Limousin, Simmental and Maine-Anjou sires when mated to Angus, Brangus and Hereford females were studied on calf crops from 1972 to 1976. Preweaning data were available on 755 observations and feedlot and carcass data were available on 207 steers. Preweaning traits studied were birth weight, 205-day weight, type and condition score. Birth weight, 205-day weight, type and condition score were influenced (P<.01) by breed of sire and breed of dam. Breed of sire × breed of dam interaction affects were significant for 205-day weight. Calves by Brahman sires were heaviest at birth (34.2 kg) with Brangus sired calves the lightest (29.2 kg). The 205-weight was heaviest for Maine-Anjou sired calves (218.1 kg) and lightest for Brangus sired calves (202.2 kg). Brangus dams produced calves that were heavier at birth and weaning than did Angus and Hereford dams. Feedlot and carcass data from steers fed on a time-constant basis indicated that initial weight, final weight and ribeye area were affected by breed of sire and breed of dam (P<.01). Feed-lot average daily gain, fat thickness and yield grade were influenced by breed of sire (P<.01). Breed of dam affected marbling, fat thickness, quality grade and yield grade (P<.05). The breed of sire × breed of dam interactions influenced longissimus muscle area (P<.01) and initial and final weight (P<.05).