Effect of Breed on Carcass Merit

Ten years ago most cattle found in feedlots in the Corn Belt and the Northern Great Plains were straightbreds representing one of the British breeds. However, with the increased use of Charolais and the importation of bulls from at least 12 other European breeds into Canada, a large variety of breeds and breed crosses is found in the feedlots at the present time. This increased variety along with emphasis on increased efficiency has caused many feeders to ask questions concerning the performance of these breeds and breed crosses. The purpose of this paper is to review research results in an attempt to identify some breed differences that are of most interest to the cattle feeder