There have been many national and international studies focused on evaluating the impacts crossbreeding can have on beef production. The advantage of hybrid vigor, particularly in increasing growth rates, weaning weights and on traits of lower heritability are extremely well demonstrated.
Across man southern systems, the opportunity to join Hereford sires over Angus cows has long been a “go to” option for producers seeking to commence crossbreeding. The value of the Black Baldy has been recognized for both its growth and additional weaning weight, as well as the demand by restockers seeking suitable F1 replacements for breeding other crossbred cattle.
However, while the additional weight or demand for F1 females have been a key factor in many producers’ decisions, the impact on eating quality & MSA index has become an additional consideration.
Recent research conducted through the University of Adelaide with the support of MLA and Herefords Australia, explored a range of results from on farm production through to MSA Index. The Research described here (https://www.beefcentral.com/genetics/tassie-angus-herd-plays-key-role-in-black-baldie-trial/) was a significant undertaking using thirty Hereford and 22 Angus sires which were mated to 1100 Angus cows and heifers in a large commercial herd run on pasture at Musselroe Bay, Tasmania. As a result of these matings, approximately 1650 calves were born. The steers were grown on pasture for an average of 23 months and then slaughtered.
The project resulted in several useful insights for commercial producers. On a production basis, the calves sired by Hereford bulls were heavier at birth and weaning than straightbred Angus calves. As expected, these results were in keeping with many other research projects. However, it is also worth noting that Hereford-sired calves from heifers (but not from mature cows) had more assisted births (+8.2%) and more calf deaths (10.0% vs 5.1%).
Although the additional weight of the Hereford sired calves resulted in higher Hot Standard Carcase Weights, carcase quality measurement including MSA Index were lower than strightbred Angus steers. The research identified the Hereford-sired steers had a mean MSA index of 61.5, while the pure Angus steers had a mean MSA index of 62.0.
In practical terms the 0.5 higher MSA index for pure Angus equates to a 1.56% increase in value to a producer. However, as Hereford-sired carcasses had a 4.1% advantage in HSCW, pure Angus steer carcasses would need to attract a 4.1% premium for that level of eating quality to compete in value.
As producers evaluate crossbreeding options, particularly using Hereford & Angus genetics, it is important to consider how easily a 4% premium for straightbred steers can be achieved at sale. More importantly while this premium can be a significant lift in return, crossbreeding has an impact across a range of factors which may cumulatively exceed the value of a 4.1% premium when analysed across a whole farm gross margin.
When considering a program, the research highlights the importance of using Hereford bulls over Angus cows rather than over Angus heifers. At the same time, it is worth also considering selecting sires with EBVs for lower birth weight and higher calving ease. Given that there is also a difference in marbling between crossbred steers and straightbred Angus steers, producers may also find value in selecting Hereford sires with above average EBVs for IMF%
