De. Franke, POSTWEANING PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS MERIT OF F1 STEERS SIRED BY BRAHMAN AND ALTERNATIVE SUBTROPICALLY ADAPTED BREEDS, Journal of animal science, 75(10), 1997, pp. 2604-2608
Comparisons were made among F-1 steers sired by Brahman and alternativ
e subtropically adapted breeds of bulls for feedlot and carcass traits
when steers were produced from Augus- and Hereford-type dams. Brahman
-derivative breeds included Brangus, Beefmaster, and Santa Gertrudis.
Brangus- and Beefmaster-sired steers weighed less at slaughter, wherea
s carcasses of Brangus- and Santa Gertrudis-sired steers had more marb
ling than those of Brahman-sired steers. Brahman-sired steer carcasses
had greater longissimus muscle area than carcasses of Santa Gertrudis
-sired steers. Other Zebu breeds compared to Brahman were Boran, Gir,
Indu-Brazil, Nellore, Red Brahman, and Sahiwal. Steers by Brahman sire
s had higher slaughter weights than steers by Boran, Gir, Nellore, or
Sahiwal sires. Hot carcass weights of Brahman-sired steers were also h
igher than those of Boran- and Sahiwal-sired steers. Steer carcasses b
y Brahman sires had greater longissimus muscle area than those of stee
rs by Sahiwal sires. Non-Zebu breeds included Tuli and Senepol. Steers
by Tuli sires grew slower, had lower slaughter weights, and their car
casses weighed less than those of Brahman-sired steers. Brahman-sired
steer carcasses had greater longissimus muscle area but less marbling
than carcasses of Tuli-sired steers. These data suggest that steers by
Brahman sires have an advantage for slaughter weight over steers by B
rangus, Beefmaster, Boran, Gir, Nellore, Sahiwal, and Tuli sires, but
their carcasses are at a disadvantage for marbling score compared with
those by Brangus, Boran, Nellore, and Tuli sires.