Feedlot performance of 207 steers with
various percentages of Angus, Hereford,
Charolais, Brahman, and Gelbvieh breeding
were compared at a constant 1) days fed, 2)
adjusted carcass backfat, and 3) slaughter
weight. As the percentage of Angus, Hereford,
or Brahman increased, growth rate decreased,
whereas increasing the percentage of
Charolais increased growth rate. Increasing
the percentage of Gelbvieh increased weaning
weight but had little effect on post-weaning
gains. Increasing percentage of Charolais
increased feed conversion efficiency, whereas
the other breeds were similar, except that at a
constant slaughter weight, greater percentage
of Hereford improved feed conversion efficiency.
Increasing the percentage of Charolais
increased carcass weight and ribeye area and
decreased yield grade, but marbling was not
different from that of Angus. An increase in
percentage of Hereford caused a decrease in
carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling, and
quality grade. Increasing percentage of Angus
decreased carcass weight and ribeye area but
increased marbling and quality grade. Increasing
percentage of Brahman caused the greatest
reduction of marbling and quality grade of any
breed. Increasing the percentage Gelbvieh
breeding resulted in increased ribeye area and
decreased marbling at constant days fed and
slaughter weight.
