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Intensive beef production 1. Performance of cattle given complete ground diets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

T. R. Preston ,
F. G. Whitelaw ,
J. N. Aitken ,
A. Macdearmid  and
Euphemia B. Charleson
T. R. Preston
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
F. G. Whitelaw
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
J. N. Aitken
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
A. Macdearmid
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
Euphemia B. Charleson
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
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Summary

1. Seventeen Friesian steers, 25 Aberdeen-Angus crossbred steers and 33 Aberdeen-Angus crossbred heifers were fed on complete ground diets from 3 months of age until slaughter.

2. The average time taken from 84 days of age to reach a slaughter live-weight of 400 kg. was 334 days for Friesian steers and 356 days for the crossbred steers. The crossbred heifers took 354 days to reach a slaughter live-weight of 350 kg. Feed conversion efficiency was best for Friesian steers and poorest for crossbred heifers.

3. The ratio of hindquarter to forequarter in the carcass did not differ between breeds. There were marked differences in fat development, this being most pronounced in the crossbred heifers and least in the Friesian steers.

4. The commercial value of the carcasses was assessed by a score card based on measurements, analysis of the tenth rib cut and visual appraisal. There was no difference between the scores for crossbred steers and heifers but the mean score for the Friesians was considerably lower.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , February 1963 , pp. 47 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1963

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References

REFERENCES

Branaman, G. A., Pearson, A. M., Magee, W. T., Griswold, R. M. & Brown, G. A., 1962. Comparison of the cutability and eatability of beef- and dairy-type cattle. J. Anim. Sci., 21, 321.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Research Council, 1950. Recommended nutrient allowances for beef cattle. Nat. Res. Counc. Publ. Washington, D.C., U.S.A.Google Scholar
Preston, T. R., 1956. Studies on the rearing of calves weaned from milk between two and four weeks of age. Proc. Brit. Soc. Anim. Prod., p. 62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar