Reciprocal crossbreeding of Friesian and Angus cattle

Abstract

Maternal and paternal effects on beef production were estimated in a reciprocal crossbreeding trial comparing Friesian x Friesian (FxF), Friesian x Angus (FxA), Angus X Friesian (AxF), and Angus x Angus (AxA) steers and heifers bred at the Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station and killed at about 19 months of age. Three years' data are reported.

Friesian cows were 28 kg heavier in April (mid-pregnancy) than Angus and lost less weight between April and post-calving. Angus cows gained more weight between post-calving and weaning and were 32 kg lighter than Friesians at weaning. Mean calving date did not differ between groups.

At birth, mean calf weights were 35, 33, 30, and 26 kg, and at weaning 181, 176, 155, and 143 kg, for the F x F, A X F, F X A, and A x A respectively. Heterosis was estimated at 3.5% and 2.2% at birth and weaning respectively, which is small in comparison with the large maternal effect on calf weights.

Final mean live weights at slaughter were 406, 397, 388, and 346 kg, with frozen carcass weights 210, 209, 202, and 178 kg respectively, for the F X F, A x F, F x A, and A x A steers and heifers. Straightbred Friesians produced more actual weight of meat than Angus, but 2.3% less meat and 1.6% more bone as proportions of carcass weight. Thus the 32 kg heavier FxF carcasses consisted of approximately 17, 11, and 4kg more meat, bone, and fat than A x A, but at the same lighter carcass weight the A x A can be expected to produce more meat, less bone, and slightly more fat. High-priced cuts as a proportion of total meat did not differ significantly between breeds.

Carcass gradings and measurements are also reported.

The progeny test data for weaning and final live weight, carcass weight, and meat weight are presented for the 12 different bulls of each breed.