ECONOMIC VALUE OF FEEDER CALVES BETWEEN BREED CROSSES

Abstract

Data on growth and feed conversion efficiency for different breed cross steer calves were analyzed to determine whether there were differences between breed crosses in their economic value as feeder calves. An economic model was used to calculate the value of the steer calves. An analysis of covariance was used to determine whether the value of feeder calves differed between breed crosses for calves of equal weight. Calves were produced by mating Charolais (C), Simmental (S), Limousin (L), and Chianina (Chi) terminal sires to 10 different types of first-cross dams. Nine of the first-cross dam crosses were produced by mating C, S, and L to Hereford (H), Angus (A), and Shorthorn (N) dams and the tenth cross was Hereford-Angus (HA). The cows were maintained and the calves raised and fed to slaughter at Brandon, Manitoba. Three methods of pricing the finished steers (liveweight, hot carcass weight, and weight of the lean tissue) were used to calculate feeder calf value. There were significant differences (P < 0.01) between breeds of the terminal sires and between breed crosses of dams for all three pricing methods. For feeder calf values, the terminal sire progeny breeds ranked Chi ≥ C ≥ S > L for liveweight pricing, Chi > C > S = L for hot carcass weight pricing, and Chi > C ≥ L ≥ S for lean weight pricing. Ranking of the progeny by dam cross indicated CN = LN ≥ CH = SN ≥ CA = LA ≥ SH = SA = LH ≥ HA for liveweight pricing, LN ≥ CN = SN ≥ CH ≥ CA = LA ≥ SH = SA ≥ LH ≥ HA for hot carcass weight pricing, and LN = CN ≥ CH = CA = LA = SN ≥ SH = SA = LH > HA for lean weight pricing. The primary determinants of the differences in feeder calf value between breed crosses were differences in carcass yield and grade, rate of gain on feed, and feed efficiency. Key words: Economic, breed cross, feeder steer, feeder value, lean yield