NALRF_BIF | Page 18

EFFECT OF BREED AND SEX ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS

Item Sire Breed SEX P-Values

Angus Lim-Flex Limousin Steer Heifer Breed Sex HCW( lbs) 938 941 948 996 890 0.7639 < 0.01 RF( in) 0.74 0.71 0.64 0.67 0.73 0.0455 0.04 REA( in 2) 14.36 15.11 15.39 15.68 14.23 0.0012 < 0.01

Marbling 583 556 506 523 572 0.0001 < 0.01 USDA YG 3.8 3.5 3.3 3.4 3.7 0.0068 0.08

Breed Difference

• Increased Limousin influence increased REA and reduced RF ⇒ improved numerical YG

• Angus influence increased marbling score

• Lim-flex cattle had a similar proportion of premium carcass grades when compared to Angus

Sex Differences

• Steers had heavier HCWs and larger REAs

• Heifers had more RF and higher YG, but also had greater marbling scores