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A note on the effect of early weaning on performance and carcass characteristics in Angus cross and Charolais cross steers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

B. W. Butler-Hogg ,
J. H. D. Prescott  and
B. G. Lowman
B. W. Butler-Hogg
Affiliation:
Edinburgh School of Agriculture, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG
J. H. D. Prescott
Affiliation:
Edinburgh School of Agriculture, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG
B. G. Lowman
Affiliation:
Edinburgh School of Agriculture, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG
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Abstract

Eight Angus cross and eight Charolais cross steer calves (out of Hereford × British Friesian cross dams) were weaned at turnout when 7 months old. Over a summer grazing period of 182 days these ‘early-weaned’ calves grew 30 to 35 % slower than eight comparable steer calves of each cross which continued to suckle their dams until 11 months of age. At housing, the early-weaned calves were 100 g/kg lighter, but this difference had no effect on growth rates or silage intakes during the 138-day finishing period. At the same age early-weaned steers had reduced hot carcass weight and dressing percentage but a similar proportion of fat in the forerib joint.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , October 1981 , pp. 211 - 214
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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References

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