Meat quality of beef-cross-dairy cattle from Angus or Hereford sires: A case study in a pasture-based system in New Zealand.

Meat quality of beef-cross-dairy cattle born in the dairy industry and finished on hill-country pastures is not well characterised. This experiment aimed to objectively evaluate meat quality traits of 15 Angus and 18 Hereford sires via progeny testing of their 326 beef-cross-dairy offspring, and to compare the intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage with the AUS-MEAT marble scores. Beef-breed sires had similar and overall good objective meat quality characteristics.

Estimated Breeding Values of Beef Sires Can Predict Performance of Beef-Cross-Dairy Progeny.

On average, half of the animal's estimated breeding value (EBV) is passed on to their progeny. However, it is not known how the performance of beef-cross-dairy cattle relates to the EBV of their beef sire. Such information is required to determine the genetic potential of beef sires selected based on existing EBV to be used on dairy cows in New Zealand.

Sire Effects on Carcass of Beef-Cross-Dairy Cattle: A Case Study in New Zealand.

There is interest in increasing the carcass value of surplus calves born in the dairy industry that are reared for beef production in New Zealand. This experiment evaluated the carcass of Angus and Hereford sires via progeny testing of beef-cross-dairy offspring grown on hill country pasture. Weight and carcass traits were analyzed from 1015 animals and 1000 carcasses of 73 sires.

Sire Effects on Post-Weaning Growth of Beef-Cross-Dairy Cattle: A Case Study in New Zealand.

Little is known about the growth performance of beef sires used over dairy cows in New Zealand. This experiment aimed to evaluate the growth of Angus and Hereford sires via progeny testing of beef-cross-dairy offspring born to dairy cows and grown on hill country pasture. Live weights at 131, 200, 400, 600 and 800 days were analysed from a dataset of 5208 records from 1101 progeny of 73 sires.