Procedures
From 1996 through 1999, performance and carcass data were collected on 738 steers. These steers were identified upon arrival based on their source and hide color. Steers weighed between 500 and 600 lb, were received the first week of October (each year), and were approximately 7 to 8 months of age. Approximately 25 steers per year were from the Coshocton Branch of OARDC. These calves were born in March or April. Cows at this location are crossbreds, with Simmental, Charolais, and Angus being the primary genetic base. Over the past 18 years, the Ohio Bull Test has been the sole source of bulls for this herd and all replacement heifers were raised on the farm. Sires of the calves reported in this summary were either Simmental or Angus. These sires were purchased at the Ohio Bull Test.
Approximately 15 steers per year were received from the OSU Beef Center. Sires of these steers were predominantly Angus or Simmental AI sires and dams were predominantly Angus, Simmental or Angus H Simmental. These steers were also born primarily in March and April.
Approximately 180, 500 lb steers were purchased annually from graded feeder calf sales. In 1996, 1997, and 1998 steers were purchased in Virginia. In 1999, steers were purchased in West Virginia. These steers were transported to the OARDC feedlot so that they arrived on the same day as calves from the two Ohio State University herds. Calves were processed and went through a 4-week receiving period prior to random placement on performance research trials. Although management and diets changed somewhat from year to year, the cattle were basically all placed on high grain diets and fed until the group was predicted to average about 80% USDA Choice. All cattle were implanted twice during the feeding period. Steers were fed in pens of 8 or 9 head per pen. Carcass data was collected by trained University employees so that carcass characteristics could be assessed.