VETERINARSKI ARHIV 69 (1),
17-28, 1999

ISSN 1331-8055 Online
ISSN
0372-5480 Printed in Croatia

Improvement of beef production
traits of Southern Anatolian Red cattle through crossings
with Simmental
sires

Okan Ertugrul1, Orhan
Alpan2*, Melith Umay3,
Abdurrahman Bilki3,
and Sait Bulmus3

1Veterinary
Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

2Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

3Ceylanpinar State
Farm, Sanliurfa, Turkey

* Contact address:
Prof. Dr. Orhan
Alpan,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and
Technology, Irbid, Jordan,
Phone: 962 2 295111; Fax: 962 2 295123;

E-mail: [email-masked]

ERTUGRUL, O., O. ALPAN, M. UMAY, A.
BILKI, S. BULMUS: Improvement of beef production traits of Southern Anatolian
Red cattle through crossings with Simmental sires. Vet. arhiv 69, 17-28, 1999.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to
develop a new genotype of cattle using Southern Anatolian Red cows and Simmental
semen and to study some of the productive traits of F1 crossbred generation. The
animal material consisted of 50 Southern Anatolian Red cows and 80 crossbreds.
All the cows calved normally and without any assistance. No serious health
problems were observed up to 18 months of age. The average birth masses of the
male and female calves were 35.3±0.8 and 32.8±0.6 kg, respectively and the
difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The animals reached
516.4±10.4 and 445.3±5.0 kg, in the above order, live mass (P<0.01) at 18
months of age. Fattening with 10 males was started at a mass of 125 kg and
lasted until 550 kg. The dressing percentage of chilled carcass was 59.0% with
carcass values of 17.3% bone, 78.9% saleable meat, 23.8% prime cuts and 2.0%
pelvic fat. The results indicate that Simmental genotype will contribute to
Southern Anatolian Red positively for the development of a new dual-purpose
breed of cattle, giving priority to beef production.

Key words: cattle, Simmental,
Southern Anatolian Red, crossbreeding, growth, fattening, carcass

Introduction

Turkey has a cattle population of about
13 million head. Low production native breeds constitute 52% of the total. The
remainder are crossbreds between native and European breeds at different
genotype levels. Among the European breeds, Holsteins and Brown Swiss make up
about 90% of the total population (ANON, 1994). The Southern Anatolian Red,
numbering about half a million head, is a common native breed in the
Mediterranean and south-eastern regions of Turkey. Varieties of this breed are
also raised in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Iraq, which are generally known
as Damascus cattle. The Southern Anatolian Red is the most prolific milk
producer among the native breeds in Turkey, some of which have lactation yields
of about 5.000 kg. It is well adapted to the prevailing adverse environmental
conditions in the area, including high temperatures. Daytime temperatures
generally measure from 35 to 40 °C in July and August. The breed is also highly
resistant to tick born diseases (ALPAN, 1972; AKCAN et al., 1991; ERTUGRUL,
1993). A crossbreeding program between the Southern Anatolian Red and Holsteins
was begun in 1970 with the aim of increasing milk production in the southern
regions of Turkey. SEZGIN (1976) reported that the averages for length of
lactation were 220, 279 and 292 days, with actual lactation milk yields of
1,792, 2,804 and 3,231 kg for natives, crossbreds and pure Holsteins,
respectively.

Reports on different performances of
Holstein × Southern Anatolian Red crossbreds have indicated that as the genotype
of Holstein was increased from zero to the second back-cross generation level,
the averages of growth rate in calves, milk production in cows, daily mass gain
and feed conversion efficiency in fattening bull-calves were also increased
(ALPAN, 1972; ALPAN and SEZGIN, 1976; AKCAN and ALPAN, 1984). On the other hand,
abilities of adaptation to hot climate and disease resistance were decreased,
with indications of higher numbers of health disturbances and higher respiration
rate during the hot season (AKCAN et al., 1991).

The Simmental is a large size,
dual-purpose breed that has become increasingly popular in many countries over
the last two decades. Milk yield of the breed has been reported to be 5,825 kg
in Switzerland, the country of origin of the breed (LEDERMAN, 1995). In addition
to its relatively high milk production, the recent popularity of the breed is
mainly based on its beef production performance. KRAEUSLICH (1982) reported that
in the Simmental breed the average values for some beef traits were 35 kg for
birth mass, 650 kg for mature body mass in females, 1,200 g average daily gain
in the fattening period of males and 650 kg slaughter weight at about 500 days
of age. The Simmental breed has been reported to be successful in transmitting
its beef production potential to crossbred generations with different dairy and
beef breeds in many countries around the world (DALTON et al., 1975; COMERFORD
et al., 1987; KRESS et al., 1992).

The first phase of a vast irrigation
project has started and is being expanded in the south-eastern regions of
Turkey. It is anticipated that an ample supply of feedstuffs and food industry
by-products will be available for feeding livestock in the area. To make the
best use of the cattle population in the region, the productive potential of
native cattle needs to be improved. In this respect, using the Simmental
genotype on the Southern Anatolian Red would bring improvements in both beef and
dairy production.

The main objective of this work was to
develop a new genotype of cattle having a high capacity for beef and milk
production and an ability to adapt to the warm climatic conditions of the
region. The specific objective of this work was to study some of the important
productive traits of the first generation progeny of Simmental × Southern
Anatolian Red combination cross-breeding programme.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted on 50 Southern
Anatolian red cows and their 80 crossbred calves, produced by artificial
insemination, using frozen Simmental semen over a period of two years. The semen
was donated by Lalahan Livestock Research Institute.

The study was carried out at the
Ceylanpinar State Farm in the south-eastern region of Turkey. Parturitions were
observed for calving ease evaluations using a scale of one to ten, in ascending
order of difficulty. Live masses and four body measurements (wither height, body
length, chest girth circumference and cannon bone circumference) were recorded
monthly from birth to six months, and every three months from six to 18 months
of age. The animals were kept in open paddocks, provided with shelter areas at
the sides for protection from sunshine, rain and wind.

Ten male crossbreds were chosen at
about four months of age and with 125 kg body mass to study fattening
performance and carcass traits. They were fed roughage and concentrates at a
ratio of 50:50. Roughage comprised green cut grass and corn in summer, and corn
silage and grass hay in the winter season. The concentrates were a barley based
mix (Table 1). The animals were slaughtered at 550 kg of live mass. Some
slaughtering measurements were taken and carcass traits were determined. The
data were analysed using standard statistical procedures.

Results

Length of gestation, calving ease
and mortality

There was no difference (P<0.05) in
the average length of gestation between male (287.4±0.63 days) and female
(286±0.88 days) calves. All calvings were normal. Average calving ease score was
one. Mortality and serious health disorders were not observed among calves up to
18 months of age.

Live mass and body measurements

The average live mass and body
measurements of calves from birth to 18 months of age are given in Tables 2, 3
and 4. The average birth mass of the male and female calves were 35.3±0.8 and
32.8±0.6 kg, respectively and the statistical difference was significant
(P<0.05). Male animals maintained this superiority until 18 months of age,
except in the first month. Respective live mass figures for male and female
crossbreds were also different (P<0.01) at 12 and 18 months of age (Table 1
and Fig. 1).

Table 1. Ration composition and
nutrient contents (%) in cattle feed used

Ingredients

Ration dry matter

Dry matter

Crude protein

Crude fiber

Roughages

Grass-legume mix

25

29.3

11.8

31.4

Corn, well eared

25

33.7

8.1

23.2

Concentrate mix

Barley

40

88.1

9.6

7.5

Wheat bran

5

89.8

17.3

10.6

Cotton seed oil meal

4

91.2

35.0

14.1

Minerals and salt

1

-

-

-

Fig. 1. Growth diagrams in body
masses of male and female cattle crossbreds

From birth to 18 months of age, four
body measurements were taken at eleven measurement periods. The mean values of
the measurements at six-monthly intervals are given in Tables 3 and 4. Males had
significantly higher means during most measurement periods. The females
displayed certain higher means (such as 6- and 18-month measurements of heart
girth) but statistical differences were not significant (P>0.05).

Table 2. Body masses of Simmental ×
Southern Anatolian Red crosses (kg)

Stage
(months)

Male

Female

t-test

N

Mean

SE

N

Mean

SE

Birth

46

35.3

0.8

34

32.8

0.6

*

3

46

103.3

2.4

34

95.7

2.0

*

6

43

194.0

3.1

30

170.5

2.8

**

9

40

281.3

4.5

26

247.3

4.0

**

12

33

368.5

6.0

18

323.0

4.4

**

15

26

447.5

10.3

15

394.4

3.8

**

18

22

516.4

10.4

14

445.3

5.0

**

*P<0.05; **P<0.01

Table 3. Withers heights and body
lenghts of
Simmental × Souther Anatolian Red crosses (cm)

Stage
(months)

Male

Female

t-test

N

Mean

SE

N

Mean

SE

Withers height

Birth

46

75.9

0.1

34

73.7

0.7

**

6

43

110.4

0.7

30

108.4

3.3

-

12

33

127.7

0.9

18

123.9

0.9

**

18

22

140.0

0.9

14

136.4

0.8

-

Body length

Birth

46

61.1

0.5

34

59.9

0.7

-

6

43

107.1

0.7

30

106.5

0.8

-

12

33

132.1

1.0

18

125.1

1.0

**

18

22

144.0

1.1

14

138.2

2.3

*

*P<0.05; **P<0.01

Table 4. Heart girth and cannon bone
circumference of
Simmental × Southern Anatolian Red crosses (cm)

Stage
(months)

Male

Female

t-test

N

Mean

SE

N

Mean

SE

Heart girth

Birth

46

75.6

0.5

34

74.1

0.5

*

6

43

123.8

1.2

30

130.3

0.8

-

12

33

168.8

1.2

18

163.5

0.9

**

18

22

183.9

2.3

14

184.3

1.1

-

Cannon bone circumference

Birth

46

12.1

0.1

34

11.7

0.1

**

6

43

17.1

0.1

30

15.9

0.1

**

12

33

20.5

0.2

18

18.9

0.2

**

18

22

21.6

0.3

14

20.5

0.2

**

*P<0.05; **P<0.01

Fattening, slaughtering and carcass
traits

Ten males were chosen for beef
production study at four months of age. The animals reached the target mass of
550 kg in 426 days with an average daily gain of 1012±0.1 g (Table 5). Some
values of slaughter and carcass traits are given in Tables 6 and 7. The average
chilled carcass mass was 327.3±9.6 kg with a 59% dressing percentage on chilled
carcass basis. The ratio of bone to carcass was 17.3%, with the prime cuts to
carcass ratio being 23.8%. Average abdominal and pelvic fats were 8.4±1.1 and
6.6±0.6 kg, respectively. Average feed conversion efficiency was calculated as
9.7±0.2 kg for the group on feed dry matter basis.

Table 5. Fattening performances of
Simmental × Souther Anatolian Red crossbred bulls (N=10)

Item

Mean

SE

Starting mass (kg)

122.7

4.6

Starting age (days)

124.7

6.2

Fattening period (days)

425.9

13.7

Final mass (kg)

553.4

10.8

Average daily gain (g)

1012.0

10.1

Feed efficiency (kg Feed dry
matter/kg gain)

9.7

0.2

Table 6. Some slaughtering
characteristics of Simmental × Souther Anatolian Red crossbred Bulls (N=10)

Item

Mean

SE

Slaughtering mass (kg)

553.4

10.8

Warm carcass (kg)

334.2

10.1

Chilled carcass (kg)

327.3

9.6

Chilling shrinkage (%)

2.0

0.0

Dressing percentage (Chilled)

59.0

9.8

Warm skin (kg)

45.2

1.0

Head (kg)

25.4

0.6

Liver (kg)

6.9

0.3

Empty stomach (kg)

10.0

0.7

Abdominal fat (kg)

8.4

1.1

Table 7. Some carcass characteristics
of Simmental × Souther Anatolian Red crossbred bulls (N=10)

Item

Mean

SE

Chilled carcass (kg)

327.3

9.6

Bone (kg)

56.3

1.6

Saleable meat (kg)

258.1

11.9

Bone to caracass (%)

17.3

0.7

Pelvic fat (kg)

6.6

0.6

Prime cuts (kg)

77.8

2.8

Prime cuts to carcass (%)

23.8

0.9

Discussion

This study showed that the average
gestation period for male and female calves together was four days longer than
the figures reported by ERTUGRUL (1993) for the same herd at the same station.
The average gestation length of this study was also higher than the average
Simmental figures reported in Turkey (DELIOMEROGLU, 1993) and in the USA (WRAY
et al., 1987). The differences may be attributed in part to the genotype of the
foetus.

Generally speaking, the Southern
Anatolian Red breed has long legs and a narrow and thin body frame. On the other
hand, the Simmental breed has short legs, and is stocky with a large body size.
For these reasons calving difficulty is one of the main concerns in Simmental
cows and also for crossings of Simmental bulls with other breeds (MEACHAM and
NOTTER, 1987; COMERFORD et al., 1987). Contrary to expectations, calving
difficulty posed no problem for Southern Anatolian Red cows in delivering their
calves from Simmental bulls. There were no abortions, no stillbirths and all the
cows delivered normally. ERTUGRUL (1993) reported earlier that the average birth
mass in the same pure Southern Anatolian Red herd was 21 kg. Although crossbred
calves were about 5 kg heavier in birth mass than pure Southern Anatolian Red
calves, this did not cause any difficulty during parturition. It appears that
the pelvic canal of the cows is wide enough to facilitate larger calves during
delivery. This was also true for Holstein × Southern Anatolian Red crossbreds,
which was reported by SEZGIN (1976) at another state farm.

The Southern Anatolian Red breed is
well adapted to the prevailing adverse environmental conditions (ALPAN, 1972).
They are also more resistant to diseases than Holsteins. AKCAN et al (1991)
reported that the incidence of health disturbances was increased as the Holstein
genotype increased in the crossbred generations. Since there was no mortality,
and not even any serious health disturbances among the crossbreds in this study,
it may be concluded that the Southern Anatolian Red genotype for disease
resistance prevails in the progeny. However, it should be borne in mind that the
first crossbred generation has also the advantage of heterosis.

As was expected, the male crossbreds
had higher body masses and body measurements than the females (Table 2-4 and
Fig. 1) from birth to 18 months of age. The differences were statistically
significant (P<0.05) at most of the measurement periods. The growth
performances of the crossbreds were similar to the Holstein × Southern Anatolian
Red crossbreds as reported by SEZGIN (1976) from birth to three months of age.
After this stage, the differences were increased in favour of Simmental
crossbreds at almost all the body measurements as the ages of the animals
increased, until 18 months. However, withers heights were lower in both
Simmental crosses and Holstein crosses than in the pure Southern Anatolian Red.

Ten of the males were chosen for
fattening and were slaughtered at 550 kg live mass. Since all the cows were
inseminated by Simmental semen there were no Southern Anatolian Red calves
available at the farm for control animals. For this reason, reports of the
previous growth and fattening results of Southern Anatolian Red and their
Holstein crossbred males were used for comparisons. Simmental crosses had wider
and deeper body measurements than Southern Anatolian Red and their Holstein
crossbreds. This could be interpreted to mean that body capacity in Simmental
crosses was more suitable to mass gains in fattening than Southern Anatolian Red
and their Holstein crossbreds. As a matter of fact, the results in this study
showed that Simmental crosses had higher fattening performances than Southern
Anatolian Red and Holstein × Southern Anatolian Red crosses (ALPAN and SEZGIN,
1976; AKCAN and ALPAN, 1984). However, the averages for daily gain and feed
efficiency in this study were lower than the reported values for pure Simmentals
(KRAEUSLICH, 1982; MAZUROWSKI et al., 1995).

The warm and chilled dressing
percentages of 60.2 and 59.0% in this study are higher than the values reported
for the Southern Anatolian Red and their Holstein crossbreds (ALPAN and SEZGIN,
1976) and are similar to pure Simmentals (MAZUROWSKI et al., 1995). The ratio
between fresh skin mass and live slaughter mass was 8.2%. This value was
reported to be 8.8% for Holstein × Southern Anatolian Red crosses and 10.3% for
pure natives (ALPAN and SEZGIN, 1976). The Southern Anatolian Red has loose skin
and a large skin surface area which assists the animal in high skin respiration
and resistance to high environmental temperatures (ALPAN, 1972).

The ratio of total abdominal and pelvic
fat to carcass weight was found to be 4.6%. This value is smaller than in
Southern Anatolian Reds and their Holstein crossbreds. Also, the average
slaughter mass of the Simmental crosses in this study was about 175 kg higher
than the reported values of Holstein crossbreds (ALPAN and SEZGIN, 1976).
Although Simmental crosses were heavier, they deposited less fat than Holstein
crosses. Fat deposition in the body is influenced by various genetic and
environmental factors. A leaner carcass is more economical for the producer and
is also preferred by the consumer. This represents an advantage for Simmental
crosses. The bone mass and bone to carcass ratio in Simmental crosses were
similar to those of Holstein crosses. The ratios of prime cuts and saleable meat
to carcasses were higher in Simmental crosses than in the Southern Anatolian
Red, Holstein and Holstein × Southern Anatolian Red crosses (ALPAN and SEZGIN,
1976). All these findings favour Simmental crosses for the purpose of dairy beef
production.

In conclusion, the Simmental genotype
made remarkable contributions to its crossbred generation with the Southern
Anatolian Red with regard to growth and fattening characteristics. Also, this
represented the first stage in the development of a new breed of dual-purpose
cattle, giving priority to beef characteristics and suitability to environmental
temperatures in the south-eastern regions of Turkey. The target of the programme
is to vreate a genetic combination of about two-thirds Simmental and one-third
Southern Anatolian Red. In the second stage of the project, milk production of
f1 crossbreds and growth and longevity of a first backcross generation to
Simmental will be studied.

Acknowledgements
This project was
supported by Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council, Project No.
VHAG-950.

References

AKCAN, A., O. ALPAN (1984): Some
productive characteristics in Holsteins and their crosses with Southern
Anatolian Red. II. Fattening and carcass characteristics. Doga, Turkish Journal
of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 8, 228-236.

AKCAN, A., O. ALPAN, V. HALICIOGLU
(1991): Health statistics of Holstein, SAR and H × SAR crossbred cattle raised
at Cukurova State Farm. Journal of Lalahan Livestock Research Institute 31,
26-41.

ALPAN, O. (1972): Some physiological
reactions of Holstein (H), Southern Anatolian Red (SAR) and H × SAR heifers to
the environmental temperature. Journal of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Ankara 19, 318-337.

ALPAN, O., Y. SEZGIN (1976): Feedlot
performance and carcass characteristics in Holstein, Southern Anatolian Red and
H × SAR crossbred yearling bulls. Journal of Elazig Faculty Veterinary Medicine
2, 9-15.

ANONimous (1994): Turkish livestock
strategy study report. FAO. Ankara.

COMERFORD, J. W., L. BERTRAND, L. L.
BENYSHEK, M. JOHNSON (1987): Reproductive rates, birth weight, calving ease and
24-th calf survival in a four-breed dialled among Simmental,
Limousine, Polled Hereford and Brahman beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science
64, 65-76.

DALTON, D. J., K. E. JURY, R. HALL
(1975): Growth rate and estrous behaviour of Friesian, Hereford × Friesian,
Simmental × Friesian and Angus heifers. Procceedings New Zealand Society of
Animal Production 35, 129-136.

DELIOMEROGLU, Y. (1993): The adaptation
and production performances of imported Simmental cattle at Kazova State Farm.
Doctorate Thesis. Ankara University, Health Sciences Institute, 72 pp.

ERTUGRUL, O. (1993): Some productive
characteristcs of Southern Anatolian Red cattle at Ceylanpinar State Farm.
Journal of Lalahan Livestock Research Institute 33, 28-38.

KRAEUSLICH, L. (1982): Rinderzucht.
Verlag Eugene Ulmer. Stuttgart.

KRESS, D. D., D. E. DOORNBOS, D. C.
ANDERSON, D. ROSSI (1992): Performance of crosses among Hereford, Angus and
Simmental cattle with different levels of Simmental breeding. VI. Maternal
heterosis of 3 to 8 year old dams and the domnance model. J. Anim. Sci. 70,
2682-2687.

LEDERMANN, A. (1994): Results of milk
recording of Simmental cows in Switzerland in 1993-1994. Schweizer Fleckvieh 7,
52-93.

MAZUROWSKI, L. Z., N. KADISOVA, S. D.
TYULEBAEV (1995): Carcass traits of Simmentals. Zootekhnia 3, 9-11.

MEACHAM, N. S., D. R. NOTTER (1987):
Heritability estimates for calving rate in Simmental cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 64,
701-705.

SEZGIN, Y. (1976): Body form and some
productive characteristics of Holstein (H), Southern Anatolian Red (SAR) and H ×
SAR crossbreeds. Lalahan Zootechnical Research Institute Publication Series No.
47.

WRAY, N. R., R. L. QUASS, E. J. POLLAK
(1987): Analysis of gestation lenght in American Simmental cattle. Journal of
Animal Science 65, 970-974.

Received: 17 June 1998
Accepted: 9
February 1999

ERTUGRUL, O., O. ALPAN, M. UMAY, A.
BILKI, S. BULMUS: Poboljsanje nasljednih obiljezja junadi juznoanatolijskog
crvenog goveda krizanjem sa simentalskim bikovima. Vet. arhiv 69, 17-28, 1999.

SAZETAK

Cilj ovod rada bio je razvoj novog
genotipa goveda uporabom juznoanatolijskih crvenih krava i simentalskog sjemena
za proucavanje nekih proizvodnih svojstava krizanaca F1 generacije. Istrazivanja
su obuhvacala 50 juznoanatolijskih crvenih krava i 80 krizanaca. Sve krave su se
otelile normalno i bez pomaganja. Do dobi od 18 mjeseci u zivotinja nije bilo
ozbiljnih zdravstvenih problema. Prosjecne mase muske telade pri telenju su bile
35,3±0,8 kg, a zenske 32,8±0,6 kg, i to je bilo statisticki znacajno
(P<0,05). U dobi od 18 mjeseci muzjaci su dosegli 516,4±10,4 kg, a zenke
445,3±5,0 kg zive mase (P<0,01). Tov 10 muzjaka poceo je s masom od 125 kg i
trajao do 550 kg. Randman u ovih krizanaca bio je 59,0%, od cega je na kosti
otpadalo 17,3% meso 78,9% te na zdjelicnu mast 2,0%. Mesa prve kategorije bilo
je 23,8%. Rezultati pokaziju da genotip simentalskog goveda pozitivno doprinosi
juznoanatolijskom crvenom govedu za razvoj nove pasmine goveda s dvostrukom
svrhom, a uz davanje prednosti proizvodnji junadi.

Kljucne rijeci: govedo,
simentalac, juznoanatolijsko crveno govedo, krizanac, rast, tov, truplo

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