NORTH FLORIDA EXPERIMENT STATION
t'. 7t, 0 \ Quincy, Florida
 June 3, 1968 I f'"

 NFES Mimeo Report 68-8
 JUL 2i 19 8
 FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS JL 2
 CHARACTERISTICS OF BRAHMAN-EUROPEAN
 CROSSBRED AND ANGUS CALVES F.A.S. Uni. Fl orida
 :-j^$--------------4"-
 F. S. Baker, Jr., A. Z. Palmer, and J. W. Carpenter-/


 SUMMARY

 During the 173-day feedlot finishing period, five groups of calves made an average
 daily gain of 2.68 pounds with 936 pounds of feed consumed per 100 pounds gain (all groups
 adjusted to a dressing percentage of 60). Overall feed cost per 100 pounds gain was $20.04,
 and total cost per 100 pounds gain (including an assumed charge of $0.10 per head daily)
 was $23.76.

 Calves of 1/2 Hereford-1/4 Brahman-1/4 Angus breeding made the largest gain (2.93 pounds
 per head daily), and the most efficient gain (920 pounds feed per 100 pounds gain) of all
 groups except the Angus (918 pounds feed per 100 pounds gain).

 Carcasses of 1/2 Charolais-1/4 Brahman-1/4 Hereford and 1/2 Charolais-1/4 Brahman-
 1/4 Angus calves had the highest estimated yield of closely trimmed, boneless cuts but
 graded the lowest from a quality (marbling) standpoint.

 With a favorable market for finished cattle and efficient gains, all groups had
 positive returns above costs of feeder cattle and feed.

 INTRODUCTION

 In seven previous trials, heavy steer calves of various Brahman-European crosses and
 comparable weight British calves, approximately 10 to 11 months of age and weighing 500 to
 650 pounds when started on feed, made very satisfactory feedlot gains for periods ranging
 from 157 to 207 days-'. Although the calf gains have been somewhat more efficient than
 those made by older cattle normally fed in North Florida feedlots, the longer feeding
 period required to finish the calves partially offsets their advantage of greater feed
 efficiency. Generally, margins of $2 to $3 per 100 pounds live weight between cost of the
 calves going on feed and the selling price of the fat cattle would have been necessary to
 realize modest profits.

 Brahman crossbred carcasses have generally graded as high quality wise as those of the
 British cattle; however, Charolais-Brahman-Hereford and Brahman-Hereford carcasses have
 averaged grading slightly lower. In a four trial average involving Charolais-Brahman-
 Hereford, Hereford-Brahman-Angus, Shorthorn-Brahman, and British calves, the Charolais-
 Brahman-Herefords had the highest estimated percentage of lean cuts but the lowest carcass
 quality grade. Lack of marbling prevented higher carcass quality grades in all groups.



 /jAnimal Husbandman, North Florida Experiment Station, Quincy; Meat Scientist and Associate
 Meat Scientist, Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville,
 respectively.

 /NFES Mimeo Repts. 61-5, 1961; 62-10, 1962; 63-8, 1963; 64-6, 1964; 65-4, 1965; 66-6, 1966;
 and 68-2, 1967.