Two-, three-, and four-breed rotational crossbreeding of beef cattle : carcass traits

摘要: Carcass data from 1,494 straightbred and rotational crossbred steers were collected over four generations. Mating systems included straightbreds (Angus (AI, Brahman (BI, Charolais (CI, Hereford (HI); two-breed rota- tions (A-B, C-B, H-B); three-breed rotations (A- B-C, A-B-H, B-C-H); a four-breed rotation (A-B-C-HI. Steers randomly allocated to one of postweaning treatments that varied in length grazing feeding periods. Treatment breed group (four seven combinations) significantly influenced hot carcass weight (HCWT), retail yield (RY), longissimus muscle area (LM), fat thickness (FT), marbling score (MS), USDA quality grade (QG), Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS). Feeding for longer periods resulted greater (P < .05) HCWT, RY, FT, MS, higher QG, lower WBS values. Among the straightbreds, C was heavier larger LM .Oil, whereas A H had .01) FT MS. The B similar but ranked last MS WBS. Three- mating superior two- Rotational combina- exceeded all traits except