Alternative turnoff strategies for Kimberley beef cattle. 1. Live animal performance and carcass characteristics.

Abstract

In June 1980, 190 Kimberley Shorthorn steers from five properties in the Kimberley were divided into three age categories. Half were sent to Chapman Research Station (CRS) in the agricultural area of Western Australia and the remainder stayed at Ord Regeneration Research Station (ORRS) in the Kimberley. Animals in both locations grazed for either one or two pasture growing seasons and a third group was fed a concentrate ration based on grain after the first growing season. Cattle lost between 20-30 kg in handling and transport south which, together with the reduced initial grazing season, led to gains of only 50 kg while those in the north gained around 100 kg. In the second grazing season at both locations animals gained around 140 kg. Animals at ORRS laid down more fat than those at CRS. Animals fed on concentrate rations in the agricultural area grew significantly faster, but had poorer food conversion and were leaner compared with those fed in the Kimberley.