Maternal breed of sire effects on postweaning performance of heifer and steer progeny: postweaning growth and carcass characteristics

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 69; no. 11; pp. 4377 - 4387
• Main Authors: Urick, J.J. (USDA, ARS, Fort Keogh Livest. and Range Res. Lab., Miles City, MT), Reynolds, W.L, Knapp, B.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Savoy, IL Am Soc Animal Sci 01-11-1991; American Society of Animal Science
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition - genetics; BOEUF; BOVIN DE BOUCHERIE; Breeding; BUEY; Cattle - genetics; Cattle - growth & development; Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids; COMPOSICION DE LA CANAL; COMPOSITION DE LA CARCASSE; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; Crosses, Genetic; DESCENDANCE; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GAIN DE POIDS; GANADO DE CARNE; GANANCIA DE PESO; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; GENISSE; Male; Meat - standards; NOVILLA; PADRE; PERE; PRODUCTOS DEL CRUZAMIENTO; PRODUIT DE CROISEMENT; PROGENIE; RACE; RAZAS; Vertebrata; Weaning; Weight Gain - genetics; Biometrics; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Growth; Body weight; Production; Race; Ox; Artiodactyla; Maternal effect; Ungulata; Carcass
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.2527/1991.69114377x

Heifer and steer progeny of 2-yr-old first-cross (F1) heifers and 3- to 6-yr-old F1 cows, from Hereford dams and five sire breeds, were evaluated for postweaning feedlot growth and carcass composition. Breeds of sire of dam were Angus (A), Red Poll (RP), Tarentaise (T), Simmental (Sm), and Pinzgauer (P). Calves from 2-yr-old heifers were sired by Shorthorn, and calves from 3- to 6-yr-old dams were sired by Charolais. Breed of sire of dam was significant (P 0.05 to P 0.01) for total gain and final weight for female progeny from 2-yr-old dams. At all weights, Sm, P, and T ranked above A and RP. Progeny of A, P, Sm, and T F1 2-yr-old dams were not significantly different but were higher (P 0.05) than RP heifers in total feedlot gain. Breed of sire of dam was significant (P 0.05) for carcass weight and longissimus muscle area; T ranked highest and RP lowest. Breed was not significant for any growth traits of steer progeny of 2-yr-old dams. Breed was significant for marbling score; A ranked highest and exceeded (P 0.01) both RP and Sm steers. Breed was significant (P 0.05) for most growth traits in the heifer progeny of the 3- to 6-yr-old dams bred to Charolais sires. Heifer calves of the Sm group were heavier (P 0.05) than all other groups for most weights and total gain. For total gain, P and T were intermediate and A and RP lowest. For heifer carcass traits from 3- to 6-yr-old dams, breed was significant (P 0.05 to P 0.01) for carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, percentage of cutability, and estimated kidney, heart, and pelvic fat. Heifers from Sm-sired dams were heavier (P 0.05) than those from all other groups but ranked second to heifers from P for percentage of cutability. Marbling scores of RP heifer carcasses ranked highest of all groups. Breed was not significant (P 0.05) for any of the weights or gains in steer progeny of 3- to 6-yr-old dams; however, the Sm and P groups ranked above A and RP for all feedlot test weights. Breed was significant (P 0.05) for area of longissimus muscle, 12th-rib fat cover, and percentage of cutability in steer carcasses. Simmental and P steers had greater longissimus muscle area and cutability (P 0.05) than A and RP, which were similar and ranked lower than T