North Dakota State University * Dickinson Research Extension Center
1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 Voice: (701) 483-2348 FAX: (701)
483-2005
COMPARISON OF HEREFORD AND ANGUS-HEREFORD CROSSBRED STEER CALVES UNDER GROWING CONDITIONS
This trial is the first phase of a comparison of straightbred Hereford and crossbred Angus-Hereford steer calves under both pasture and feedlot conditions.
The trial is designed to measure differences in rate of gain and feed efficiency when steers are "roughed" through the winter at a daily rate of gain of between 1.25 and 1.50 pounds, with the intention of turning them out to pasture the following summer.
In 1973-74 two lots of 13 steers of each type were wintered for 152 days, from November 30 to May 1, and in 1974-75 the wintering period of 175 days was from November 19 to May 13.
| Table 19 - Ration fed, feed consumption and cost per hundredweight gain | ||||
| BWF Lbs./hd. per day |
Hereford Lbs./hd. per day |
|||
| 1974 | 1975 | 1974 | 1975 | |
| Ration as fed: | ||||
| Oats | 3.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| Alfalfa hay | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.6 |
| Tame hay | 9.8 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 9.9 |
| Mineral mix | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Total feed consumed | 15.0 | 14.7 | 15.0 | 13.5 |
| Lbs. feed/lb. gain | 12.6 | 10.1 | 10.8 | 10.1 |
| Ration cost: | ||||
| Per head | $51.20 | $68.48 | $49.89 | $63.79 |
| Per 100 lbs. gain | 28.39 | 26.96 | 23.70 | 27.26 |
| In this ration feed costs were figured at: $4.38/cwt for oats; $40/ton for alfalfa; $30/ton for tame hay; and $9.55/cwt for mineral mix. In 1975 alfalfa increased to $50/ton, tame hay increased to $40/ton, and there were no changes in the costs for mineral mix and oats. | ||||
Summary: In the 1974 trial Hereford steers gained 28 pounds more, and were more efficient than the BWF steers, requiring $4.69 less feed per hundredweight gain. In 1975 the BWF steers were the better gainers, and just slightly more efficient. While the results of the two year's trial are too limited to draw conclusions from, indications are that over time, "good doin" individuals of the two breed types will probably perform equally well under these wintering conditions.
| Table 20 - Weight and gain, winter growing period, 1974 and 1975 | ||||
| BWF | Hereford | |||
| 1974 | 1975 | 1974 | 1975 | |
| Number of head | 13 | 13 | 121 | 13 |
| Initial wt., lbs. | 366 | 367 | 375 | 373 |
| Final wt., lbs. | 547 | 621 | 583 | 607 |
| Average steer gain, lbs. Difference, lbs. |
180 | 254 +20 |
208 +28 |
234 |
| Days fed | 152 | 175 | 152 | 175 |
| Average daily gain, lbs. | 1.18 | 1.45 | 1.37 | 1.34 |
| 1One steer removed because of lameness. | ||||