Feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and economic profits in four Holstein-beef crosses compared with pure-bred Holstein cattle

Cross-breeding can be a profitable strategy to improve beef production. The objective of this study was to compare feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economic profits between four Holstein-beef crosses and pure-bred Holstein calves. Beef crosses were produced by crossing Holstein (H) cows with Angus (A), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and INRA 95 (I) bull semen. The performance of 24 calves of each breed (120 calves in total) was compared in an experimental period of 11 months. The average calf age at the start of the experiment was 143, 169, 138, 186, and 133 d for A, I, C, L, and H groups, respectively. The experimental design was repeated-measures split-plot. The animals within each of five breeds (plots) were randomly divided into six pens of four animals each (consisting of half males and half females). The calves received starter, grower and finisher diets for the experimental period. The results indicated that average daily gain was significantly higher in crossbred calves than in pure-bred Holstein calves. The Charolais crossbred calves and pure Holsteins had significantly lower dry matter intake than other hybrids, and, as a result, feed conversion ratio in the C x H calves was remarkably more favorable compared to other groups. Dressing percentage for C x H, L x H and I x H crossbreds was higher than for pure-bred Holstein and the A x H crossbred cattle. The C x H crossbred cattle had significantly higher plasma urea concentrations than did other genetic groups (P < 0.05). However, other blood metabolites did not differ significantly among the groups. Economic calculations demonstrated that the respective highest profit for the whole experimental period belonged to the crossbreds of C x H (44660778 Rials), I x H (35853953 Rials), L x H (32013587 Rials), A x H (25794039 Rials), and pure-bred Holstein cattle (24200274 Rials). Therefore, the hypothesis that the calves from Holstein-beef crosses would have higher economic productivity than pure-bred Holstein calves was substantiated.

Automated summary

The study compared feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economic profits between four Holstein-beef crosses and pure-bred Holstein calves. Results showed that crossbred calves had higher average daily gain and more favorable feed conversion ratios, leading to higher economic profits compared to pure Holstein calves.