Hundreds of calves sired by purebred Irish Black bulls performed far above beef industry standards in commercial grain finishing programs in Colorado. The calves in these programs were slaughtered at 13 to 14 months of age, weighing between 1300 and 1400 pounds. The lowest pen dressed out at 64.37% and the highest pen dressed out at 64.97%, with rib eyes averaging plus 13 inches. These Irish Black sired calves had feed conversion rates of 5.1 to 5.3 pounds of feed per pound of gain. A number of these young calves made the prime grade, with a majority of the calves making at minimum, choice grade. A good number of 3/4 Irish Black blood calves gained 4 pounds per day from birth to slaughter and dressed out at 65%.
Calves sired by Irish Black Bulls Perform in Grain Finishing Programs
by Lisa Hendrickson
of Diamond H Livestock
(22-Feb-2009)
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