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Comparison of Canadian Holstein × British Friesian and British Friesian steers for beef production. 1. On-farm performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

P. Rowlinson ,
P. L. Baber ,
M. B. Willis  and
A. J. Chalmers
P. Rowlinson
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
P. L. Baber
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
M. B. Willis
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
A. J. Chalmers
Affiliation:
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Government Buildings, Kenton Bar, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2YA
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Abstract

A comparison was undertaken of 92 Canadian Holstein × British Friesian (HF) and 93 British Friesian (F), autumn born, male calves on three typical United Kingdom production systems. These were: intensive barley beef system (BB); a grass/cereal 18-month system (18m); and 24-month forage system (24m). Calves were brought in from a variety of farms. HF calves were heavier on arrival (43·1 v. 40.7 kg ***). The calves were the progeny of 27 Canadian Holstein and 43 British Friesian sires, and all out of British Friesian dams. They were castrated and reared conventionally to 100 kg before being allocated to treatment. Slaughter was undertaken when subjective handling suggested that the carcass would classify as fat-class 2 on the Meat and Livestock Commission classification scheme (equivalent to European Economic Community fat-class 3), provided that a minimum live weight (BB, 380 kg; 18m/24m, 420 kg) was achieved. There were no differences between breeds in daily live-weight gain on any system. Other results, HF first, follow. At slaughter, HF were both older (BB, 362 v. 342 days **; 18m, 591 v. 558 days ***; 24m, 716 v. 673 days ***) and heavier (BB, 413 v. 395 kg ***; 18m, 486 v. 469 kg NS; 24m, 531 v. 496 kg ***). Efficiency of food conversion, measured on the BB system only, was not significantly different (5·83 v. 5·84).

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 38 , Issue 3 , June 1984 , pp. 399 - 405
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1984

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