Criollo and Crossbred Steer Comparison: Weight Gain, Grazing, Carcass Quality, 2015-2017

Rarámuri Criollo cows have behavioral traits that are desirable for rangelands in arid environments, but calves from this biotype are difficult to market through conventional methods. One strategy to improve marketability is to crossbreed these cows with traditional beef breed bulls. However, it is unclear whether crossbred calves will achieve marketable weights and carcass qualities on rangeland and whether they will retain the desirable grazing behaviors of their mothers. We evaluated these traits for two cohorts of Rarámuri Criollo (JRC), Mexican Criollo (MC), and Criollo × beef-breed crossbred (XC) steers. Final live and carcass weights of XC were greater than JRC and MC, but all three groups were market ready at 30-mo after finishing on grass. Carcass quality and average daily gain did not differ among biotypes. Both JRC and XC steers exhibited grazing patterns similar to those previously observed in JRC cows. These results suggest JRC, MC, and XC steers can achieve desirable slaughter weights in 30 months using a rangeland-based grass-fed protocol, and JRC and XC steers retain desirable grazing behaviors of JRC cows.