Effects of dairy x beef crossbreeding in two Swedish forage-based beef production systems with intact bulls

Crossbreeding dairy cows with Angus beef sires can enhance the performance and carcass quality of bulls in dairy-based beef production. This study evaluated 72 intact bulls (36 dairy-sired [D], 36 Angus-sired [C]) raised in either a high-intensity (H; 64% concentrate, slaughtered at 15 months) or low-intensity (L; 44% concentrate, slaughtered at 18 months) system. Across systems, C bulls outperformed D bulls in average daily gain (1.48 vs. 1.33 kg), carcass weight (389 vs. 343 kg), dressing percentage, conformation, fatness, and marbling scores (all P < 0.01). The H system improved daily gain and feed conversion but resulted in lower carcass weight and marbling than the L system. Notably, L bulls had superior carcass weight (387 vs. 346 kg) and marbling (2.1 vs. 1.7) (P < 0.01). These results indicate that Angus crossbreeding improves growth and meat quality traits in intact bulls, regardless of production intensity.