Successful producers have always tried to raise high-quality, high-performing cattle, but may have felt compelled to choose one ideal over the other. That’s not necessary, according to a recent analysis of data from the Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF).
What is the effect of percent Angus genetics on performance in the feedlot and on carcass merit? Mark McCully, supply development director for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB), worked with colleagues Larry Corah and Mike King at CAB, and Iowa Extension beef specialist Darrell Busby to present a research summary.
The data came from 18,250 steers and heifers consigned to TCSCF from 2002 to 2007, and categorized into quartiles by their degree of Angus influence: Low, Half, Three-quarter or Straightbred Angus (Table 1).
After a minimum 28-day preconditioning period before arrival at any of 10 TSCSF feedlots, cattle were weighed and given initial implants, vaccinations and body scores within their first four days on feed. All were given similar implants and health treatments and fed the same energy level.
McCully presented and discussed the data earlier this year at the Southern Section, American Society of Animal Science meetings in Dallas, Texas.
The results may have revealed the solution to producers’ dilemma. Research showed that Angus influence had a positive effect on a number of performance and carcass factors.
“For years, breed composition has been recorded on cattle enrolled in the Futurity,” McCully said. “These data are now some of the most comprehensive available where genetics are quantified.”
Straightbred Angus cattle showed better feedlot health and lower treatment costs than cattle with less Angus influence. The straightbred average treatment cost of $4.60 per head was $3 less than that for the lowest-Angus-influence cattle.
Moreover, that was less than the treatment costs for the typical crossbreds in the middle quartiles. Overall health significantly improved with increased Angus influence. Straight Angus cattle had a sickness rate of 14.8 percent, while cattle with low influence had a rate of 22.8 percent.
“This is one of the most interesting findings in the analysis, but one we don’t have a thorough explanation for,” McCully said. “The data showed less sickness and reduced treatment cost as the percent Angus increased, but pre-feedlot health protocols were prescribed to be the same for all cattle. So, this appears to be a genetic effect.”
Some of the earliest data on breed-type effect on health came from a 1984 doctoral dissertation on the effects of pre- and post-transit potassium levels, receiving diets and deworming on highly stressed calves, by Frank Brazle at Kansas State University.
The published table referred to “Breed Combination,” but the four descriptions noted only color, not uncommon for public research. “We can safely assume that the medium-frame solid blacks we noted back then were predominantly Angus,” Brazle said.
In that study, the 2.79 percent mortality rate in groups of straight blacks compared to 18.39 percent in black baldies of the same frame size, 12.93 percent in all black baldies and 6.34 percent in mixed-color lots.
McCully added there has been recent data showing that respiratory disease is genetically influenced. He said it is possible that an unintentional selection for respiratory disease resistance may have occurred through popular Angus sire lines.
“It is certainly an area that needs more research,” he said.
The TCSCF study also noted relatively fewer days on feed for straight Angus, and the highest average daily gain (ADG) of all groups.
Finally, ability to earn premiums for carcass merit increased with Angus influence.
Marbling scores trended higher in a direct correlation with percentage Angus influence. While nearly a third of straight Angus cattle achieved CAB acceptance or USDA Prime, the low-influence cattle made only 9.3 percent CAB and only 0.3 percent qualified for Prime. On the other hand, less than 1 percent of the straight Angus cattle were discounted as USDA Standard, compared to more than 5 percent of the low Angus.
“Angus cattle are known for their carcass merit and marbling ability, specifically, so the improvement in quality grade due to increased Angus genetics came as no surprise,” McCully said.
Whether the data reinforced knowledge or revealed something new, he said, “We hope it will benefit producers when they are making genetic selections for their next calf crop.”
He notes that the numbers say producers can expect both higher performance and quality grades from straight Angus cattle. “Wise cattlemen will make sure they are looking at all the facts when they make decisions on genetics,” McCully said.