Beef embryos in dairy cows: feedlot performance, mechanistic responses, and carcass characteristics of straightbred Holstein calves and Angus-sired calves from Holstein, Jersey, or crossbred beef dams

Abstract Improved reproductive management has allowed dairy cow pregnancies to be optimized for beef production. The objective of this sire-controlled study was to test the feedlot performance of straightbred beef calves raised on a calf ranch and to compare finishing growth performance, carcass cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of animal science 2023-01, Vol.101
Main Authors: Fuerniss, Luke K, Wesley, Kaitlyn R, Bowman, Sydney M, Hall, Jerica R, Young, J Daniel, Beckett, Jonathon L, Woerner, Dale R, Rathmann, Ryan J, Johnson, Bradley J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Beef
Beef cattle
Body Composition - genetics
Body Weight
Calves
Carcasses
Cattle
Cattle - genetics
Dairy cattle
Dry matter
Embryo transfer
Embryos
Feed conversion
Feed efficiency
Feedlots
Female
Genetics
Growth Biology
Growth factors
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Insulin-like growth factors
Parturition
Pregnancy
Reproduction
Slaughter
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Summary:Abstract Improved reproductive management has allowed dairy cow pregnancies to be optimized for beef production. The objective of this sire-controlled study was to test the feedlot performance of straightbred beef calves raised on a calf ranch and to compare finishing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and mechanistic responses relative to beef × dairy crossbreds and straightbred beef cattle raised in a traditional beef cow/calf system. Tested treatment groups included straightbred beef steers and heifers reared on range (A × B; n = 14), straightbred beef steers and heifers born following embryo transfer to Holstein dams (H ET; n = 15) and Jersey dams (J ET; n = 16) The finishing trial began when cattle weighed 301 ± 32.0 kg and concluded after 195 ± 1.4 d. Individual intake was recorded from day 28 until shipment for slaughter. All cattle were weighed every 28 d; serum was collected from a subset of steers every 56 d. Cattle of straightbred beef genetics (A × B, H ET, and J ET) and A × H were similar in final shrunk body weight, dry matter intake, and carcass weight (P > 0.05 for each variable). Compared with A × J cattle, J ET was 42 d younger at slaughter with 42 kg more carcass weight (P 
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163
1525-3163
DOI:10.1093/jas/skad239