Fire Sweep Ranch
Well-known member
Our extension beef agent puts out a newsletter each month, and this month had an interesting comparison about a feed out study comparing bos indicus cattle to Angus. Here are his comments:
SOUTHERN CARCASS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Back in April, 2012 I was on a tour to western Kansas and
visited Gardiner Angus Ranch. Mark Gardiner mentioned
their cooperation on a project to compare the difference in
carcass quality and value when a set of southern cows were
bred to either high carcass value Angus bulls or to a
selection of southern-type bulls which carried Brahman and
Senepol influence.I recently ran across a report on this trial, thanks to Tom
Troxel, University of Arkansas Extension beef specialist.
He summarized the results in the Beef Cattle Research
Update.
There were 12 dams with ¼ to ½, visual Bos indicus
influence and they were the embryo-producing cows.
Those cows produced 112 progeny. Of those, 59 were
Angus-sired and 53 were by the southern sires. The
recipient dams were of common genetics. The resulting
progeny were managed in the same environment from birth
to harvest. All were slaughtered at about 2 years of age.
Angus-sired calves had a 5-day shorter gestation, were
8.6 lbs. lighter at birth, had similar weaning weights and
were 64.2 lbs. heavier as yearlings.
Angus-sired claves had a 78 point higher marbling
score, 47.2 lbs. heavier carcass, 0.1 inch more backfat
with no significant yield grade difference.
Angus-sired carcasses graded 77% Choice while the
southern-sired calves only made 25% Choice.
The grid premium advantage was $56.99 per head for
the Angus crosses. There was a $73 per head net
economic advantage when carcass price and feed costs
were combined. ($117 carcass value advantage minus
$44 for added feed costs.)
The one cross made quite an impact because the Angus
bulls were selected for carcass merit and high accuracy.
Perhaps they even viewed the $B of index when selecting
those bulls. Whereas, the southern bulls were randomly
selected on available semen from AI companies. They
might not have had EPDs. To some this was stacking the
deck, but it shows what can be done to enhance progeny
performance with EPDs and artificial insemination.
And these are for Bruno. I took a few pics of Simbrahs while I was waiting for the purebred bred and owned part of the show to start.
SOUTHERN CARCASS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Back in April, 2012 I was on a tour to western Kansas and
visited Gardiner Angus Ranch. Mark Gardiner mentioned
their cooperation on a project to compare the difference in
carcass quality and value when a set of southern cows were
bred to either high carcass value Angus bulls or to a
selection of southern-type bulls which carried Brahman and
Senepol influence.I recently ran across a report on this trial, thanks to Tom
Troxel, University of Arkansas Extension beef specialist.
He summarized the results in the Beef Cattle Research
Update.
There were 12 dams with ¼ to ½, visual Bos indicus
influence and they were the embryo-producing cows.
Those cows produced 112 progeny. Of those, 59 were
Angus-sired and 53 were by the southern sires. The
recipient dams were of common genetics. The resulting
progeny were managed in the same environment from birth
to harvest. All were slaughtered at about 2 years of age.
Angus-sired calves had a 5-day shorter gestation, were
8.6 lbs. lighter at birth, had similar weaning weights and
were 64.2 lbs. heavier as yearlings.
Angus-sired claves had a 78 point higher marbling
score, 47.2 lbs. heavier carcass, 0.1 inch more backfat
with no significant yield grade difference.
Angus-sired carcasses graded 77% Choice while the
southern-sired calves only made 25% Choice.
The grid premium advantage was $56.99 per head for
the Angus crosses. There was a $73 per head net
economic advantage when carcass price and feed costs
were combined. ($117 carcass value advantage minus
$44 for added feed costs.)
The one cross made quite an impact because the Angus
bulls were selected for carcass merit and high accuracy.
Perhaps they even viewed the $B of index when selecting
those bulls. Whereas, the southern bulls were randomly
selected on available semen from AI companies. They
might not have had EPDs. To some this was stacking the
deck, but it shows what can be done to enhance progeny
performance with EPDs and artificial insemination.
And these are for Bruno. I took a few pics of Simbrahs while I was waiting for the purebred bred and owned part of the show to start.
