Breed-Type and Mating System effects on Beef Cattle Carcass Characteristics

The effects of dam breed-type (Simmental x Hereford, Angus x Hereford, and Tarentaise x Hereford) and mating system (rotational versus rota-terminal) on carcass characteristics were evaluated. Means for dam breed-type and mating system were adjusted in separate analyses to one of three slaughter endpoints: 437-day slaughter age, 734-lb carcass weight, or .49 inches of carcass fat thickness. Calves from Simmental x Hereford dams had heavier carcasses compared to the other two dam breed-types when adjusted to a constant slaughter age or fat thickness. Calves from Angus x Hereford dams tended to have more external fat, smaller rib eye area, and more marbling than calves from the other two dam types on an age-constant and carcass weight-constant basis. Terminal-sired (Charolais) calves had less external fat and larger rib eye area than rotational calves at a constant age or carcass weight. The dam breed-type x mating system interaction generally did not approach significance