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The influence of breed and sex on carcass characters of beef cattle bred in dairy herds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 1961

J. O. Latham  and
C. Rogers
J. O. Latham
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Cambridge
C. Rogers
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Cambridge
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Extract

During a survey of beef production in East Anglia carcasses of 163 Friesian, 87 Dairy Shorthorn and 45 Aberdeen-Angus × Friesian steers and 44 Aberdeen-Angus × Friesian heifers were measured and scored by visual assessment for fat development. They were also graded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Age data indicated that the Friesian steers were, on average, younger at slaughter than the other groups, but they were incomplete and comparison was based on carcasses of the same weight. The Dairy Shorthorn steers had higher mean values than Friesians in three of the carcass measurements taken. The Dairy Shorthorns had a higher average fatness score and a higher proportion of Grade A carcasses. Aberdeen-Angus × Friesian steers had lower mean values for measurements of the hind leg, higher fatness scores and a higher proportion of Grade A carcasses than either of the two pure breeds. Aberdeen-Angus × Friesian heifers had lower mean values for measurements of both fore and hind legs, higher fatness scores and a slightly higher proportion of Grade A carcasses than the steers.

The information gained by use of measurements and fatness scores explained, but did not materially add to, the assessment of the relative value of the groups of carcasses given by grade.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , June 1961 , pp. 171 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1961

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References

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