Evaluation of mating systems involving five breeds for integrated beef production systems: III. Integrated system

Angus (A), Charolais (C), Hereford (H), Limousin (L), and Simmental (S) breeds were included in deterministic computer models simulating integrated cow-calf-feedlot production systems. Three mating systems were used: pure-breeding and two-and three-breed rotational crossbreeding. Breed information was taken from the literature. Herd sizes were unrestricted; however, 100 heifers were saved as replacements. Cows were removed for reproductive failure, age (greater than 10.5 yr), or death. Calves produced in the cow-calf segment were fed in a custom feedlot to four slaughter end points: 440 d, 457 d, 288-kg carcass weight, and low Choice. All animals were fed to requirements. Cull cows were slaughtered after weaning. Biological and economic efficiencies improved with crossbreeding; however, rankings of breed combinations depended on how efficiencies were measured (weight, lean, or value basis). Among purebreds, reproductive performance had a large influence on breed rankings at age and weight end points, whereas feedlot performance was important at the low Choice end point. Crossbred combinations involving British (A or H) and Continental (C or S) breeds were more efficient than other crossbred combinations at all end points. However, choosing specific breed combinations for integrated systems depends on slaughter end points, market end points (weight vs lean), and measures of efficiency (weight, lean, or value basis).