A FEED LOT STUDY OF BISON. CATTALO AND HEREFORD CALVES'^ '

L

H. F. Peters of the Manyberries Experiment Station, Alberta, has

recently completed some interesting experiments where he compared feed lot

performance of bison, Cattalo and Hereford calves. The Hereford calves used in

this test were raised on the farm at Manyberries, as were the Cattalo calves.

The bison animals were secured from the Elk Island Park at Lament, Alberta. Two

types of Cattalo calves were used. One was out of the first cross domestic

breeding and the other was Cattalo bred to Cattalo. These animals were approx¬

imately 3/4 to 7/8 domestic breeding.

All groups were fed in a dry lot for 196 days. The ration consisted of

2/3 ground barley and 1/3 ground oats. Each animal was given 1/4 to 1/2 lb. of

linseed oilcake per head per day. Roughage was fed free choice and consisted

of 2/3 grass and 1/3 alfalfa hay. The concentrates were self fed.

The range in daily gain during the 1956-57 tests was as follows: bison

bulls, 0.9 to 1.4 lb.; bison heifers, 0.5 to 1.1 lb.; Cattalo bulls, 1.8 to 2.8

lb.; Cattalo heifers, 1.4 to 2.2 lb.; Hereford bulls, 2.1 to 2.7 lb.; Hereford %

heifers, 1.7 to 2.4 lb. According to Peters, only one bison approached the

other cattle in 'rate of gain. This bull gained 2 lb. per day.

In these experiments, the bison were least efficient and the Herefords most efficient in terms of T.D.N, utilized per pound of gain.

Carcass grades in the heifers were progressively lower as the proportion of bison breeding increased. In general, the dressing percentage increased as the proportion of bison breeding increased.

These results indicate that bison do not compare favorably with Herefords in feed lot performance. There does appear to be enough variation in the Cattalo to permit improvement through the selection for gaining ability. "Reuben Albaugh, Extension Animal Scientist, University of California Davis 95616 (first printed in 1958). 8/1/74 HARNESSING THE HARDINESS OF THE "

Canadian scientists have under way an extensive cross breeding project

using American bison and domestic beef cows. This work is being conducted

at Manyberries Research Station located in Southeastern Alberta. This experi¬

ment station is composed of 40 thousand acres of land on which 1,000 sheep

and 500 cattle are maintained. In addition to the livestock work, extensive

research is being done in an attempt to improve range grasses and range management practices.

The object of the cattle breeding experiment is to harness the hardiness

of the buffalo and at the same time maintain the quality of carcass and con¬

formation of the domestic beef breeds.

In starting this project, bulls of the domestic beef breeds (Angus,

Hereford, and Shorthorn) were crossed on buffalo cows. The male of this cross

is but the female breeds sterile, readily. They are long-lived, very hardy and can withstand the blizzards and extreme weather of the great plains.

A cow of 1/4 buffalo - 3/4 domestic breeding is still a very hardy animal. Its conformation and gaining ability approach that of the domestic beef

breeds. Some of the bulls with buffalo blood are fertile and these animals

have been selected for the inbreeding program.

It has been found some that of the crossbred animals are very fast gainers and are of desirable conformation. These will be used in their inbreeding

programs.

At this station, cows carrying 1/2 or 1/4 buffalo blood range from 15 to 20 years of age. Some have produced as many as 16 calves and from general appearances seem capable of producing that many more.

Following are the results of a test recently conducted at the Manyberries Station;

"Reuben Albaugh, Extension Animal Scientist, University of California Davis 956)6 (first printed in 1958). 8/1/74 Breed and Sex Average daily gain (lbs) (All animals are yearlings)

Buffalo bulls 1.34

Buffalo heifers 1.09

Cattalo bulls (dom. x 1/2-dom.) 1.89

Cattalo heifers (dom. x 1/2-dom.) 1.47

Cattalo bulls (inbred) 1.95

Cattalo heifers (inbred) 1.59

Highland X Hereford steers 2.10

Hereford steers 1.92

Hereford bulls 2.27

Hereford heifers 1.87

In this test, the animals that gained the fastest used their

feed most efficiently.

The word Cattalo can properly be applied to animals that carry buffalo

blood on both sire and dam sides. These Cattalo have excellent feet and legs,

are very active and aggressive, and can cover large areas of the range.

Their hair is long and thick enabling them to withstand the severe northern

climate.

Dr. Peters, Director of the Manyberries Station, has great hope of

developing an animal that can cope with the severe weather that not only

exists in Canada but extends into Montana, the Dakotas and parts of Wyoming.

Note: Dr. H. F. Peters' current address is: Dr. H. F. Peters Animal GEnetics Section Central Experiment Farm Ottawa, , Canada

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