CROSSBREEDING DUAL-PURPOSE CATTLE FOR BEEF-PRODUCTION IN TROPICAL REGIONS

Six breed types groups of six steer calves each were used to observe d ifferences in growth and carcass traits: F1 Brown Swiss (F1BS), F1 Hol stein (F1HO), F2 Brahman (F2BR), F2 Criollo Rio Limon (F2CRL), purebre d Criollo Rio Limon (CRL), and Perija Mosaic (PMO). After 404 days of grazing, the heaviest FIBS and F2BR steers were different from F1HO an d CRL counterparts (p < 0.05) in slaughter weight. F2BR dressed higher and had better muscle conformation scores than F1BS, F1HO, F2CRL and CRL (p < 0.05). F1BS had the thickest backfat (0.5 cm) but only differ ed (p < 0.05) from F1HO (0.3 cm). Rib eye area, marbling score, carcas s maturity, quality or yield grade, boneless cut percentages, bone per centage or percent trimmable fat did not vary among breed types. All s teers were within the A maturity level and graded Standard. Results in dicate the importance of feeding dual-purpose steers to heavier weight s to please industry preferences. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.