Abstract:
A total of 11 abattoir carcass measures were recorded on 7854 carcasses in temperate (TEMP) and tropically adapted (TROP) beef breeds. Breeds for TEMP included Angus, Hereford, Murray Grey, and Shorthorn; Brahman, Belmont Red, and Santa Gertrudis accounted for TROP breeds. Measurements included carcass weight (CWT), retail beef yield percentage (RBY), intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), subcutaneous fat depth at the P8 site (P8) and at 12/13th rib (RIB), eye muscle length by width (ELW), deep butt temperature (DBTEMP), fat colour score (FATC), meat colour score (MEATC), marbling score (MARB), and carcass muscle score (MUSC). Animals were finished to 3 different market weight endpoints, either on pasture or in a feedlot, and in different geographic regions for the TROP breeds. Both the phenotypic and genetic expressions of the traits were estimated at each level of market weight endpoint and finishing regime. Heritabilities (h