TITLE:
Effect of Crossbreeding on Beef Production of Jersey Herd Using Fleckvieh Sires Maintained on a Pasture-Based Feeding System
AUTHORS:
Sindisile Goni, Carel Johan Christiaan Muller, Bekezela Dube, Kennedy Dzama
KEYWORDS:
Average Daily Gain, Birth Weight, Body Weight, Carcass Weight, Slaughter Age
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.6 No.3,
June
24,
2016
ABSTRACT: Jersey bull calves and steers produce high quality meat; however, the growth rate of Jersey bull calves for veal and beef are low in comparison to other dairy breeds. This could be improved by crossbreeding with beef breeds. In the current study, the veal and beef production of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey (F × J) bull calves and steers were compared. Bull calves were reared intensively for veal up to a carcass weight not exceeding 100 kg, or as steers for beef to 21 months of age. In both veal and steer production systems, the mean birth weight of F × J bull calves was higher (P