Testing of Different Strains of Friesian Cattle in Poland. Beef Performance of F₁ Friesian Bulls Fattened Under Intensive Feeding Conditions to 450 kg or 550 kg of Live Weight

Summary

Beef progeny testing was conducted on animals obtained from mating local Black and White cows with Friesian bulls originating from the following countries: USA, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Federal Republic of Germany, Great Britain, Holland and Poland.

Each group was evaluated genetically on the basis of the fattening results obtained from 28 bulls. A half of those animals was fattened up to 450 kg and the other half up to 550 kg.

During the fattening period the animals were fed individually on complete concentrates, rationed on the basis of the bull’s body weight.

After slaughter the slaughter value was determined on the basis of a complete dissection of the right carcass side.

It was ascertained that the best fattening results (growth rate and feed conversion) were obtained by the progeny of the USA and Israel bulls. Significantly poorer results were obtained from the progeny of bulls from New Zealand and Denmark. The European types of Friesian cattle (Great Britain, Holland, Sweden and Poland) were characterized by good parameters of carcass quality: proportion of valuable cuts, dressing percentage and good musculature. The crossbreds after the USA and Israel bulls proved to be most valuable for intensive fattening.