To prove the merits of intensively feeding purebred Devon steers, a trial was conducted at one of Australia's major feedlots. Steers from one Devon breeder (Barnstaple Devons) were compared to a number of other breeds in the same feeding pen. The results showed that purebred Devon steers were ideal for feeding and produced carcases that were suitable for the high quality export trade to Japan.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

THE OPERATION OF THE TRIAL

Fifteen steers from Barnstaple Devons were selected for feeding at Killara Feedlot on the Liverpool Plains of NSW. The steers were placed in a feed pen with about 300 other steers. At the conclusion of the feeding period, 141 steers were selected for similar finish and sent to slaughter at an export licensed abattoir.

All steers were individually numbered and were identified at slaughter to relate live weight information to carcase information. The steers from Barnstaple Devons were further identified for birth date, growth rates and sire and dam information. Basic breeding information about each Devon steer is contained in the following table:

Steers were born in winter and spring of 1997. The steers were sired by one of four Devon sires (the sire of S156 was in doubt but was most likely BARNSTAPLE MAGELLAN). Dams of all steers were purebred Devon females. Some dams were registered with the DCBSA. Weights of each steer were taken at 200 days, weaning, 400 days, 600 days and the day prior to entering the feedlot. To illustrate the growth of the steers prior to entering the feedlot, see the following chart.

After weaning, all steers were grazed on pasture until the commencement of intensive feeding. Up to entering the feedlot, steer growth was steady and adequate for normal growth and development.

Prior to entering the feedlot, steers were undergoing normal pasture finishing. In late autumn,
the feed is high quality (high protein) typical of the dry pasture at this time of year.

The 15 steers in the trial were weighed empty by the feedlot at the start of the trial. They were placed in a large feeding pen with about 300 other steers that had undergone similar preparation and weighing. Some of these other steers had entered the feedlot from 5 to 11 days earlier than the Devon steers.

From visual assessment, the feedlot determined the time that the animals were finished for slaughter. The Devon steers were sent to slaughter at an export abattoir as part of a consignment of 141 similar steers from the same feeding pen.

RESULTS

At slaughter, all 141 steers were assessed for various carcase traits. The average daily gain (ADG) of each group of steers was calculated by the feedlot using a standard formula. The averages for carcase data and ADG are presented in the following table.

Steer S093 in the feed pen at Killara about one month prior to slaughter. This steer started
at the average live weight for the Devon group but finished with the heaviest carcase weight.

Of the British breed steers, Devons gave the best result for the feedlot for average daily gain, carcase weight and ideal fat cover. In this trial, the range of rump fat for the Devons was 10 to 25 mm, well under the 32 mm maximum for this type of export carcase. Growth of the Devons in the feedlot was similar to the European breed. The actual carcase information for each Devon steer is presented below.

The commencement weight of the Devon steers in this trial was the ideal weight for slaughter for the Australian supermarket trade (market specification of 190 - 260 kg carcase weights). In other years, these steers were destined for this market. Depending on the season, steers for the supermarket trade are finished off pasture at ages of 14 to 21 months.

The type of Devon steers in this trial are also grazed on high quality pasture up to 24 - 27 months before being sold as prime export bullocks with live weights of 600 - 650 kg.

Alternatively, the fed steers in this trial could have stayed on feed for a longer term of feeding. Their frame size and maturity pattern made them suitable for the very heavy export trade of 400 - 500 kg carcases. The modest fat levels resulting from this feedlot trial further reinforce their suitability for the heavy export trade. In other trial work, Devon steers from selected sire lines have been shown to produce useful marbling, giving carcases added premiums where long term feeding is desirable.

The performance of the four sires used for this trial is tabulated below.

As expected, there are differences in the growth of steers from each of the sires. The highest live weight steers from BARNSTAPLE DAVENPORT were also the youngest steers. However, the steers with the heaviest carcase weights were sired by BARNSTAPLE MONTALBAN. The steers by MONTALBAN also had the highest fat cover. The EBV for rump fat of MONTALBAN indicates the higher potential for more fat compared to the other sires.

Although marbling was not reported for the carcases, it appears that DAVENPORT has the potential to produce marbling. If high levels of muscling are desired, MARRIOT has proven EMA background and EBV's to support the data. Both MAGELLAN and MARRIOT have low levels of fat, confirmed by the steer progeny in this trial. Growth and carcase EBV's for the four sires used are reported below.

CONCLUSIONS

The Devon steers in this trial were part of the normal production program of a calf breeder and prime steer producer in good cattle country. The fact that the steers were sired by four unrelated Devon bulls indicates the production uniformity possible when selection criteria for sires are made with a view towards realistic production traits.

The ability of Devon steers to fit many market types is an important production tool for the producer.

In the midst of cattle of many breeds the Devon steers showed high growth,
ideal finish and heavy carcase qualities.

The broader picture from this trial indicates that steers sired by modern Devon bulls, are capable of fitting many markets. The traits that are needed are:

In practice, to have access to a breed that puts versatility into progeny gives the beef industry significant production advantages.