Brahman and Brahman crossbred cattle grown on pasture and in feedlots in subtropical and temperate Australia. 1. Carcass quality

K. M. Schutt; H. M. Burrow; J. M. Thompson; B. M. Bindon

doi:10.1071/EA08081

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Previous Next Contents Vol 49(6)

Brahman and Brahman crossbred cattle grown on pasture and in feedlots in subtropical and temperate Australia. 1. Carcass quality

K. M. Schutt ^A ^B ^D ^E , H. M. Burrow ^A , J. M. Thompson ^A ^C and B. M. Bindon ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies, C.J. Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

^B CSIRO Livestock Industries, PO Box 5545, Rockhampton Mail Centre, Qld 4702, Australia.

^C Division of Animal Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

^D Present address: ‘Ingaby Station’, St George, Qld 4487, Australia.

^E Corresponding author. Email: sk_prewett@activ8.net.au

Animal Production Science 49(6) 426-438 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08081
Submitted: 3 March 2008 Accepted: 12 February 2009 Published: 13 May 2009

Abstract

Brahmans are known to have poorer carcass quality relative to Bos taurus breeds and crossbreds under temperate environments; however, little is known of their performance in subtropical environments. The Cooperative Research Centre for Cattle and Beef Industry (Meat Quality) initiated a crossbred progeny test experiment to compare straightbred Brahmans with Brahman crossbreds finished on pasture and grain, in subtropical and temperate environments, to carcass quality specifications of Australian domestic and export markets. Brahman, Belmont Red, Santa Gertrudis, Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn, Charolais and Limousin sires were mated to Brahman females in subtropical Queensland over 3 years to produce 1750 progeny. At a common age at slaughter, Charolais crossbreds had the highest hot carcass weight (CWT) but were not significantly heavier than Limousin or British crossbred progeny. At common carcass weights, breeds within breed type (British, Continental, tropically adapted) performed similarly. British and Santa Gertrudis crossbreds had the fattest carcasses and lowest yields. British and Belmont Red crossbreds had the highest intramuscular fat percentage (IMF). Continental crossbreds had the highest retail beef yield (RBY), kilograms of retail primals (RTPM) and percent retail primals (pcRTPM) and leanest carcasses. Brahmans had the lowest CWT, intermediate subcutaneous fat cover, high yields and low IMF. Animals finished in the subtropics on pasture were significantly older, leaner and had higher RBY, RTPM and pcRTPM than subtropical feedlot-finished contemporaries. Temperate feedlot animals had significantly more IMF, less subcutaneous fat at the P8 site and slightly lower yields than subtropical feedlot contemporaries, indicating possible effects of postweaning growth path on fat distribution. Belmont Red crossbreds demonstrated the advantages of adaptation with the highest IMF in both subtropical finishing regimes, while Angus progeny had the highest IMF in the temperate feedlot environment and highest IMF overall when analysed across finishing regimes. Significant interactions were mainly the result of scale effects rather than breed re-ranking for carcass traits across markets and finishing regimes. Therefore, breeds that performed well for certain carcass traits in subtropical environments performed consistently for those traits in temperate environments relative to other sire breeds, regardless of market endpoint or finishing nutrition.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the significant efforts of all Beef CRC staff involved in breeding and managing the experimental animals, field data collection at ‘Duckponds’, ‘Goonoo’, ‘Tullimba’ and ‘McMaster’, abattoir data collection, laboratory meat quality analyses, collation of project data and maintenance of the CRC database. The following donors of Brahman breeding cows for use in the project are also gratefully acknowledged: Hillgrove Pastoral Co., Australian Agricultural Co., North Australian Pastoral Co., Stanbroke Pastoral Co., Queensland and Northern Territory Pastoral Co., Consolidated Pastoral Co., Heytesbury Pastoral Co., Peter Hughes and Acton Land and Cattle Co. Generous funding for the project was provided by Meat and Livestock Australia through Project NAP.3.104.

References

AUS-MEAT (1998) ‘Handbook of Australian meat’. (Aus-Meat Limited: Brisbane)

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) 1301.0. Year Book Australia 2006. Available at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/8345877D2FBA8C4DCA2570DE00167195?opendocument [Verified 8 March 2009]

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007) 1301.0. Year Book Australia 2007. Available at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/productsbyCatalogue/1EADE5D35589A3C0CA25723600016163?opendocument [Verified 8 March 2009]

Ayres JF, Dicker RW, McPhee MJ, Turner AD, Murison RD, Kamphorst PG (2001) Post-weaning growth of cattle in northern New South Wales. 1. Grazing value of temperate perennial pasture grazed by cattle. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 959–969.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | (Emerald Post Office), http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056006.shtml (Bundarra Post Office) and http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056013.shtml (Glenn Innes Agricultural Research Station) [Verified 18 February 2006]

Charteris PL, Garrick DJ, Morris ST (1997) Sire by finishing environment interactions for beef cattle carcass and meat quality traits. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 57, 192–195.

Comerford JW, Benyshek LL, Bertrand JK, Johnson MH (1988) Evaluation of performance characteristics in a diallel among Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford and Brahman beef cattle. II. Carcass traits. Journal of Animal Science 66, 306–316.
| CAS | PubMed |

Corbet NJ, Miller RG, Fraser PF, Lloyd AG, Burrow HM (1997) Sire breed effects on gestation length of calves in the subtropics. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 12, 300–303.

Corbet NJ, Miller RG, Bindon BM, Burrow HM, D’Occhio MJ, Entwistle KW, Fitzpatrick LA (1999) Synchronization of estrus and fertility in zebu beef heifers treated with three estrus synchronization protocols. Theriogenology 51, 647–659.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed |

Cundiff LV , Gregory KE (1999) What is systematic crossbreeding? In ‘Proceedings of the Cattlemen’s College, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’. Charlotte, North Carolina, 11 February 1999. pp. 1–27. 1999 cattle industry annual convention and trade show’. pp. 1–27. (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)

Cundiff LV , Gregory KE , Koch RM , Dickerson GE (1986) Genetic diversity among cattle breeds and its use to increase beef production efficiency in a temperate environment. Proceedings of the Third World Congress on Genetic Applications to Livestock Production IX, 271–282.

Cundiff LV , Gregory KE , Wheeler TL , Shackelford SD , Koohmaraie M , Freetly HC , Lunstra DD (1998) Preliminary results from cycle V of the cattle germplasm evaluation program at the Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Centre. Progress Report No. 17. US Department of Agriculture, Clay Centre, Nebraska.

Cundiff LV , Wheeler TL , Gregory KE , Shackelford SD , Koohmaraie M , Thallman M , Van Vleck LD (2001) Preliminary results from cycle VII of the cattle germplasm evaluation program at the Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Centre. Progress Report No. 21. US Department of Agriculture, Clay Centre, Nebraska.

DeRouen SM, Franke DE, Bidner TD, Blouin DC (1992) Two-, three-, and sfour-breed rotational crossbreeding of beef cattle: carcass traits. Journal of Animal Science 70, 3665–3676.
| CAS | PubMed |

Duncan DB (1955) Multiple range test and multiple F test. Biometrics 11, 1–42.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Egan AF, Ferguson DM, Thompson JM (2001) Consumer sensory requirements for beef and their implications for the Australian beef industry. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 855–859.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Frisch JE (1997) Breeding productive, adapted beef cattle for tropical regions. In ‘Proceedings CEA ‘97 V Congress Internacional De Transferencia Technologica Agropecuaria: Cria y Mejoramiento Genetico’. Paraguay, 24–25 November 1997, pp. 137–153. (Associacion Rural Del Paraguay)

Gregory KE , Cundiff LV , Koch RM (1982) Comparison of crossbreeding systems and breeding stocks used in suckling herds of continental and temperate areas. Plenary session. Proceedings of the Second World Congress on Genetic Applications to Livestock Production V, pp. 482–503.

Hearnshaw H, Barlow R, Blackwood I, Doyle P, Hoffman W, Wilson C (1988) Growth and carcass characteristics of Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle and their crosses in temperate Australia. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 7, 452–455.

Huffman RD, Williams SE, Hargrove DD, Johnson DD, Marshall TT (1990) Effects of percentage Brahman and Angus breeding, age-season of feeding and slaughter end point on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Journal of Animal Science 68, 2243–2252.
| CAS | PubMed |

Hunter RA, Burrow HM, McCrabb GJ (2001) Sustained growth promotion, carcass and meat quality of steers slaughtered at three liveweights. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 1033–1040.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jeffery M, James T, Loxton I (1993) The effect of grain feeding on growth rates and carcase attributes of grazing steers in central Queensland. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 9, 4A.

Johnston DJ, Reverter A, Burrow HM, Oddy VH, Robinson DL (2003) Genetic and phenotypic characterisation of animal, carcass, and meat quality traits from temperate and tropically adapted beef breeds. 1. Animal measures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 107–118.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Keele JW, Williams CB, Bennett GL (1992) A computer model to predict the effects of level of nutrition on composition of empty body gain in beef cattle. I. Theory and development. Journal of Animal Science 70, 841–857.
| CAS | PubMed |

Kelly MJ, Tume RK, Newman SA, Thompson JM (2001) Environmental effects on the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous beef fat. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 1023–1031.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS |

Kramer CY (1957) Extension of multiple range tests to group correlated adjusted means. Biometrics 13, 13–18.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marshall DM (1994) Breed differences and genetic parameters for body composition traits in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 72, 2745–2755.
| CAS | PubMed |

Marshall DM (1999)Genetics of meat quality. In ‘The genetics of cattle’. (Eds R Fries, A Ruvinsky) pp. 605–636. (CAB International: Wallingford, UK)

Newman S, Burrow HM, Sim W, Williams P, Kelly M, Menzies D, Farrell E (1998) Growth and carcass traits of F1 steers and heifers fed for three markets at two locations in Australia. Journal of Animal Science 76(Suppl. 1), 77.

Newman S, Burrow HM, Shepherd RK, Bindon BM (1999) Carcass yield traits of grass- and grain-finished Brahman crosses for domestic and export markets. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 13, 231–234.

Newman S, Reverter A, Johnston DJ (2002) Purebred-crossbred performance and genetic evaluation of postweaning growth and carcass traits in Bos indicus × Bos taurus crosses in Australia. Journal of Animal Science 80, 1801–1808.
| CAS | PubMed |

Oddy VH, Ball AJ, Pleasants AB (1997a) Understanding body composition and efficiency in ruminants: a non-linear approach. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 11, 209–222.

Oddy VH, Herd RM, Ball AJ, Dicker RW, Robinson DL, Skerritt J, Hammond AJ, Thompson JM (1997b) Prior performance of cattle influences current and future performance, meat yield and quality characteristics: Implications for genetic evaluation. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 12, 738–741.

Peacock FM , Kirk WG , Koger M , Carpenter JW , Crockett JR (1977) Evaluation of the Brahman breed as straightbred and crossbred for beef production in south central Florida. Bulletin No. 790. Agricultural Research Center, Ona., Florida.

Perry D, Shorthose WR, Ferguson DM, Thompson JM (2001) Methods used in the CRC program for the determination of carcass yield and beef quality. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 953–957.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reverter A, Johnston DJ, Perry D, Goddard ME, Burrow HM (2003) Genetic and phenotypic characterisation of animal, carcass, and meat quality traits from temperate and tropically adapted beef breeds. 2. Abattoir carcass traits. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 119–134.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robinson DL (1995) Design of the CRC straightbred genetics experiments. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics 11, 541–545.

Robinson DL, Oddy VH, Dicker RW, McPhee MJ (2001) Post-weaning growth of cattle in northern New South Wales. 3. Carry-over effects on finishing, carcass characteristics and intramuscular fat. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 1041–1049.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

SAS (2000) ‘SAS procedures guide. Release 8.1.’ (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC)

Schutt KM, Arthur PF, Burrow HM (2009a) Brahman and Brahman crossbred cattle grown on pasture and in feedlots in subtropical and temperate Australia. 3. Feed efficiency and feeding behaviour of feedlot-finished animals. Animal Production Science 49, 452–460.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schutt KM, Burrow HM, Thompson JM, Bindon BM (2009b) Brahman and Brahman crossbred cattle grown on pasture and in feedlots in subtropical and temperate Australia. 2. Meat quality and palatability. Animal Production Science 49, 439–451.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Upton W, Burrow HM, Dundon A, Robinson DL, Farrell EB (2001) CRC breeding program design, measurements and database: methods that underpin CRC research results. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 943–952.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Vleck LD, Hakim AF, Cundiff LV, Koch RM, Crouse JD, Boldman KG (1992) Estimated breeding values for meat characteristics of crossbred cattle with an animal model. Journal of Animal Science 70, 363–371.
| CAS | PubMed |