Post-weaning growth and carcase characteristics of Chianina, Brahman and Hereford cross, and Hereford steers in southern Queensland

Abstract

The post-weaning growth of 281 Chianina x Hereford (CC.HH), Chianina x (Brahman x Hereford) (CC.BH), Brahman x Hereford (BB.H H), Hereford x (Brahman x Hereford) (H H.BH) and Hereford (HH.HH) steers grazing improved brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) country on a commercial property in southern Queensland was studied over 3 years. Representative animals were slaughtered at mean ages of about 880 and 1000 days and carcase characteristics examined. From weaning to 860 days of age, the CC.HH and CC.BH steers gained at a faster rate than the BB.HH steers, which in turn, grew faster than the HH.BH and HH.HH steers. Their growth rates were 0.58, 0.57, 0.55, 0.50 and 0.49 kg day-1, respectively. The CC.HH and the CC.BH steers dressed 309 kg with 6.5 mm fat and 308 kg with 7.0 mm fat, respectively. They were heavier (P< 0.05) and longer carcases with less fat and with larger eye muscle areas, than the other genotypes. The BB.HH and HH.BH carcases were intermediate, in terms of weight, being 291 kg and 278 kg, respectively, while the HH.HH carcases were lighter (P< 0.05) at 260 kg. The HH.HH carcases had similar fat cover to the HH.BH carcases, 9.6 mm vs 10.2 mm, and both had less fat cover than the BB.HH with 11.6 mm fat. Using the Australian Beef Carcases Appraisal System, the CC.HH and CC.BH carcases scored more points (P< 0.05) than all other genotypes.