Friday, April 13, 2012

Carcass Evaluation Program Update

On March 26, the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) headed to Graham Land and Cattle Co. in Gonzales, Texas to re-implant its carcass program steers and to collect data.

One hundred fourteen (114) head of steers representing 11 breeders in three states went into the Gonzales feed yard in December and were started on an intermediate grow ration. On March 26, the steers were re-implanted and weighed. Steers were then split into two groups based on their weights, and were started on a finishing ration.

One group, weighing 750 pounds and above, is expected to finish and be harvested in roughly 120 days. The other lighter-weight group, weighing 749 pounds and under, should finish and be harvested in 170 days. Carcass data will be collected on these cattle at harvest. The data will be added to the genetic evaluation, and used to calculate carcass EPD’s for six traits.

Blood samples were also collected March 26, and will be used to further validate DNA markers for carcass traits.

Statistics:
114 head • 11 breeders • 3 states

Averages-

Frame Score:                 Medium
Muscle Score:                 (Scores range from 1-4; 1 being the heaviest muscled, 4 being the lightest)
In Weight:                      504 lbs
Re-Implant Weight:        789 lbs
Days on Feed:                110 days
Average Daily Gain:        2.5 lbs




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