Morehead State University

The Effect of Breed Type on Real-Time Ultrasound Carcass Traits, Performance and Pelvic Measurements of Heifers Enrolled in the Eastern Kentucky Heifer Development Program

Institution

Morehead State University

Abstract

Young heifers were weighed, pelvic measured, and ultrasonically scanned to study breed differences for performance, pelvic area, 12th rib fat depth, longissimus muscle area, intramuscular fat, and rump fat. Angus (AN), Angus cross (AC), Gelbvieh cross (GC), Limousin (L), Charolais (CH), and Charolais cross (CC) heifers (n = 411) were delivered to Hazard, KY for the Eastern Kentucky Heifer development program. Heifers were grazed for 138 days with minimal supplementation and then pelvic measurements were taken by an experienced veterinarian and carcass measurements were obtained by a CUP certified ultrasound technician. Initial, mid test and end weights did not differ between breed and averaged 212.2, 244.9, and 276.7 kg, respectively (P > 0.05). However, there were differences in total gain and ADG in that the GC heifers had increased total gain and ADG than the other breed types (P < 0.05). There were no consistent results for pelvic area although CC heifers did have larger (P < 0.05) pelvic areas than AN or AC heifers. The L heifers had the largest (P < 0.05) longissimus muscle area (62.1 cm2 ) and AN had the smallest (51.5 cm2 ) where as the AC, CH, CC, and GC were intermediate, in addition, AN and AC heifers had the greatest (P < 0.05) 12th rib fat depth, intramuscular fat, and rump fat of the heifers. These results support the knowledge that earlier developing breeds of cattle have increased intramuscular fat and subcutaneous fat depots.

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The Effect of Breed Type on Real-Time Ultrasound Carcass Traits, Performance and Pelvic Measurements of Heifers Enrolled in the Eastern Kentucky Heifer Development Program

Young heifers were weighed, pelvic measured, and ultrasonically scanned to study breed differences for performance, pelvic area, 12th rib fat depth, longissimus muscle area, intramuscular fat, and rump fat. Angus (AN), Angus cross (AC), Gelbvieh cross (GC), Limousin (L), Charolais (CH), and Charolais cross (CC) heifers (n = 411) were delivered to Hazard, KY for the Eastern Kentucky Heifer development program. Heifers were grazed for 138 days with minimal supplementation and then pelvic measurements were taken by an experienced veterinarian and carcass measurements were obtained by a CUP certified ultrasound technician. Initial, mid test and end weights did not differ between breed and averaged 212.2, 244.9, and 276.7 kg, respectively (P > 0.05). However, there were differences in total gain and ADG in that the GC heifers had increased total gain and ADG than the other breed types (P < 0.05). There were no consistent results for pelvic area although CC heifers did have larger (P < 0.05) pelvic areas than AN or AC heifers. The L heifers had the largest (P < 0.05) longissimus muscle area (62.1 cm2 ) and AN had the smallest (51.5 cm2 ) where as the AC, CH, CC, and GC were intermediate, in addition, AN and AC heifers had the greatest (P < 0.05) 12th rib fat depth, intramuscular fat, and rump fat of the heifers. These results support the knowledge that earlier developing breeds of cattle have increased intramuscular fat and subcutaneous fat depots.