BEEF-PRODUCTION FROM PROGENY OF HEREFORD COWS MATED TO CHAROLAIS AND SIMMENTAL SIRES

Semen from 8 Charolais and 5 Simmental bulls was used to inseminate Hereford cows on a commercial property near Naracoorte, South Australia. After weaning at 9-10 mo. of age the steer progeny were grazed on pasture in a Mediterranean-type climate. Charolais .times. Hereford 13 and 12 Simmental .times. Hereford steers were slaughtered in Jan. 1976 at an average age of 34 mo. There was no significant difference between the Charolais .times. Hereford and Simmental .times. Hereford crosses in carcass weight (312 vs. 315 kg), fat thickness (7.8 vs. 7.8 mm) or muscle/bone ratio (3.4 vs. 3.3).