Lifetime productivity of crossbred cows. 1. Experimental design, growth and carcass characteristics of progeny

Abstract

First crosses of Hereford with large and small dairy type (Friesian and Jersey), British beef type (Shorthorn), Bos indicus dairy and beef type (Sahiwal and Brahman), and European beef and dual-purpose type (Charolais and Simmental) females were reared on different properties and joined with Hereford bulls, to produce backcross calves under semi-arid conditions in southern Australia from 1976 to 1984. Parity x breed effects were important for all traits studied. In general, calves out of European cross dams were heaviest at weaning and slaughter and yielded higher carcass weights than other types, but calves out of dairy cross cows (especially Friesian cross) had fatter carcasses. Calves out of zebu cross dams expressed lower carcass weights in spite of relatively high dressing percentages. Calves out of Shorthorn cross cows were lightest at all ages and expressed the lowest dressing percentages.