ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF SIRE ON FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS IN PUREBRED BRAHMAN CATTLE: AN UPDATE

Submitted to: Archivos Latinoamericanos De Produccion Animal
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: March 28, 2000
Publication Date: March 28, 2000

Interpretive Summary: The widespread assimilation of Zebu (Bos indicus) breeding into commercial beef herds throughout the tropics and subtropics in Latin America and the Carribean and predominantly Brahman breeding in the southern U.S. attests to the economic value placed on tolerance to heat, disease, parasites, and adverse environmental conditions. In the U.S., consistent carcass quality and adequate meat tenderness are among the most significant problems facing the beef cattle industry and are of particular concern to producers of Brahman-influenced cattle. The primary objective of this research is to progeny test Brahman sires for feedlot performance and carcass quality traits with emphasis on meat tenderness. Results from the first three years of a five-year progeny test, that includes 14 Brahman sires, indicates significant effects of sire on feedlot performance and carcass traits. Progeny from three sires (sires 1, 12, 13) were ranked among the highest for USDA quality grade. In both years 1 and 2 of the study, progeny from sire 3 were ranked the lowest (most tender) for Warner- Bratzler shear (a mechanical measure of meat tenderness) and the highest (most tender) for tenderness score evaluated by sensory panel. However, the effect of sire was significant for Warner-Bratzler shear in only year 2 of the study.

Technical Abstract: A five-year progeny test of Brahman sires is being conducted to determine the effects of sire on feedlot performance and carcass traits with emphasis on tenderness in purebred Brahman cattle. Data from 14 Brahman sires have been collected during the first three years of the study. The results from year 1 of the study were previously summarized. In year 2 of the study, sire effects were significant for final body weight, ADG, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, fat thickness, USDA yield grade, and Warner-Bratzler shear, but not for ribeye area and USDA quality grade. In year 3, sire effects were significant for fat thickness, ribeye area, and USDA yield and quality grades, but not for final body weight, ADG, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and Warner-Bratzler shear. Three sires (sire 1, 12, and 13) were ranked among the highest for USDA quality grade and one sire (sire 3) was ranked the lowest (most tender) for Warner-Bratzler shear and the highest (most tender) for tenderness score evaluated by sensory panel.