The Survival, Growth and Carcase Characteristics of Crossbred Beef Cattle in Tanzania

ISSN： 0049-4747

Source： Tropical Animal Health and Production, Vol.35, Iss.5, 2003-10, pp. : 441-454

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Abstract

Sires of seven Bos taurus beef breeds were mated with Bos indicus Boran cows at two sites, one near sea level and the other at about 1000 m altitude, and over three years. Purebred Boran calves provided controls for comparisons between sire breeds for growth to 4 years of age, mortality and carcase characteristics in a range environment where all the animals were kept under a similar management regime. Numerous sire breed×site, sire breed×year of birth and site×year of birth interactions were established. Mortality was high, but there was no significant sire breed effect, although purebred Borans had a higher survival than crossbred calves. There was no significant difference between genotypes in birth weight. Generally, Bos taurus cross steers achieved greater live weight gains and heavier carcase weights at 4 years of age than did purebred Borans. Limousin-cross steers had significantly (p<0.05) less="" fat="" in="" the="" tenth="" rib="" sample="" joint="" than="" any="" of="" the="" other="" genotypes.="" a="" productivity="" index="" that="" combined="" calf="" survival="" and="" carcase="" weight="" indicated="" that="" the="" chianina="" crosses="" were="" more="" productive="" than="" any="" other="" genotype="" at="" either="" site.="" purebred="" borans="" were="" more="" productive="" than="" all="" the="">Bos taurus crossbreds with the exception of the Chianina crosses at site 1, but were only superior to the Limousin crosses at site 2, which was at the higher altitude. When lean meat yield was introduced into the productivity index, the Boran purebreds were the least productive at site 2.