In a commercial grain finishing program four hundred calves sired by purebred Irish Black bulls were finished in summer heat of 90 to 100 degrees. These calves were on a 90 day finishing program and were slaughtered at 12 1/2 to 14 months old weighing 1300 to 1400 pounds, their hot carcass weights averaged 781 pounds. Their average dressing yield was 64.98%, average marbling score was 4.347, 77% made choice and prime grade while the balance of the calves graded #1 and #2 select. Back fat was .2 and rib eyes averaged 13.1 inches. These calves had feed conversion rates of 5.1 to 5.3 pounds of feed per pound of gain. A good number of the calves gained 4 pounds per day from birth to slaughter, even in the hot summer temperatures.
Irish Black Bulls reach their mature frame structure at two years of age. In the bulk of other beef breeds bulls can take up to 4 years to reach their mature frame structure and shortly they are simply too big. Irish Blacks high fertility gene trait allows a breeding ratio of one coming two year old bull per 70-75 females to be bred in the herd. This means fewer bulls purchased per herd, which in turn means easier bull management and more importantly, HIGHER PROFIT!
Dominance in transmitting early maturity and high fertility gene traits are key to profitability in both Grain Fed and Grass Finishing programs. Irish Blacks early maturity gene trait reduces the slaughter date by 2 to 5 months. 1/2 blood calves sired by purebred Irish Blacks, regardless of the breed or breeds of their mothers, will all look alike, perform the same, and cut out the same at premium values.
The big bonus in using Irish Black blood is the resulting heifer calves. Mate these F1 heifers back to purebred Irish Black Bulls and the resulting 3/4 blood calves will increase their performance and cut out values over your 1/2 blood calves. Forty years of records have proven that the higher the percentage of Irish Black blood, the higher the performance and cut out figures become. In both Grain and Grass Finishing programs Irish Black sired calves are performing extremely well, grading choice or better and shortening the slaughter date by several months. The key to marketing choice and prime beef, with a high degree of consistency and uniformity, is easily accomplished by using Irish Black Bulls in your commercial herd this year!
Irish Blacks . . . the Future of the Beef Industry!
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