Priyanto et al.--Importance of genotype in steers

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

The economic importance of genotype in steers fed pasture or lucerne hay and prepared for the Australian and Japanese beef markets

R. PRIYANTO

Faculty of Animal Science
Bogor Agricultural University
Bogor, Indonesia

E. R. JOHNSON

School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production
The University of Queensland
P.O. Box 125, Kenmore
Queensland 4069, Australia

D. G. TAYLOR

School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production
The University of Queensland Gatton College
Lawes
Queensland 4343, Australia

Abstract Taurindicus cattle from Queensland supply 40% of the Japanese grass-fed, chilled beef trade and much of Queensland's domestic market. Regression analyses of commercially important carcass characteristics and anatomical components on side weight and rump P8 fat thickness were used to assess the economic value of 24 Hereford (H), 23 Brahman (B), and 22 Brahman <-> Hereford (BH) steers fed on pasture or lucerne hay for the Australian and Japanese markets. For the Australian domestic trade, when compared at 5 mm fat thickness, B and BH had a significantly greater percentage of total primal cuts than H, and B had a significantly greater percentage of saleable beef yield than H. BH carcasses had a significantly greater weight of saleable beef yield, side muscle, and were more valuable ($A318) than B ($A280) and H ($A267). When estimates were made at 100 kg side weight, B had a significantly greater weight of saleable beef yield and side muscle than H. BH had a significantly greater economic value ($A268) than H ($A260) and B ($A231). In the heavier carcasses suitable for Japan, at 14 mm fat thickness, BH had a significantly greater percentage of total primal cuts and saleable beef yield than H and B. BH ($A441) and B ($A436) were more valuable than H ($A383). At 165 kg side weight, BH were significantly heavier than the other two genotypes (P < 0.01) in saleable beef yield and side muscle, significantly lighter in side fat (P < 0.01) and significantly more valuable ($A448) than H ($A434) and B ($A395). Taurindicus steers were more profitable for both markets than H or B steers, whether compared at fat thicknesses or side weights.

Keywords beef markets; genotypes; economic value; feed; meat cuts

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1999, Vol. 42: 393-404

0028-8233/99/4204-0393 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1999

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