Crossbreeding dual-purpose cattle for beef production in tropical regions

Six breed types groups of six steer calves each were used to observe differences in growth and carcass traits: F1 Brown Swiss (F1BS), F1 Holstein (F1HO), F2 Brahman (F2BR), F2 Criollo Rio Limon (F2CRL), purebred Criollo Rio Limon (CRL), and Perija Mosaic (PMO). After 404 days of grazing, the heaviest F1BS and F2BR steers were different from F1HO and CRL counterparts (p < 0.05) in slaughter weight. F2BR dressed higher and had better muscle conformation scores than F1BS, F1HO, F2CRL and CRL (p < 0.05). F1BS had the thickest backfat (0.5 cm) but only differed (p < 0.05) from F1HO (0.3 cm). Rib eye area, marbling score, carcass maturity, quality or yield grade, boneless cut percentages, bone percentage or percent trimmable fat did not vary among breed types. All steers were within the A maturity level and graded Standard. Results indicate the importance of feeding dual-purpose steers to heavier weights to please industry preferences.