Livestock Studies 1972, Vol 12, Num, 3     (Pages: 039-056)

The feed-lot performance and carcass quality of Brown Swiss, Native Gray and their crosses

H. Saim KENDİR ,Servet ŞENEL ,Nevzat ULUDAĞ

- This experiment was conducted to evaluate feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of Brown Swiss x Native Gray third upgrades (G3) (15/16 BS, 1/16 NG) and offspring of second upgrades (G2) (7/8 BS, 1/8 NG) in order to decide on the optimum upgrading level to close the herd as far as the beef production is concerned.

Purebred Brown Swiss (BS) and Native Grays (NG) were used as controls. Ten heads of BS and G3, nine heads of G2 and NG young bulls between 9 to 14 months of age, were fed in the feed-lot for a period of 112 days. The same ration fed to all groups ad.libitum.

The results for BS, G3, G2 and NG were as follows; The average daily weight gains were 1.335; 1.366, 1.349 and 811 gms respectively. The differences between Native Gray and the others were statistically significant (P<0.01). The amounts of feed, as based on 90 % dry matter, consumed per kilogram of weight gain were 5.98; 6.92; 6.68 and 6.54 kg respectively.

The average dressing percentages were 57.4, 57.3, 58.3 and 57.3 and the carcass weights were 178, 192, 193 and 123 kg, respectively.

The average rations of the primal yield to chilled carcass weight were 17.8, 17.6, 16.4 and 15.5 % and of the bone to chilled carcass 16.9, 16.2, 16.2 and 16.9 %, respectively.

Back fat thikness was extremly low in all groups and the average rations of the kidney, caul and ruffle fat to chilled carcass were 2.1, 1.9, 2.2 and 1.3 % respectively. Keywords :