The performance of different breeds of beef cattle in Cuba

Abstract

A method for performance testing beef bulls on a high-energy diet from 90 days of age to 400 kg is described. Test results for 81 bulls showed that both in weight-for-age at 400 kg and feed conversion on test there were significant differences between breeds in favour of the Charolais followed by Santa Gertrudis, Criollo and Zebu in that order. Results for 8 Holstein bulls reared artificially were similar to those for Santa Gertrudis.Comparative data on birth weights, weaning weights and pre-weaning mortality indicate that the Zebu was inferior to the other beef breeds in all these traits.Of 60 bulls slaughtered, liver abscesses were encountered in only 2 animals, both of which had been reared artificially from birth.