At the 2003 Texas A & M University Shortcourse, Dr. Larry Cundiff reviewed preliminary results of Cycles VII and VIII of the Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) program at U.S. MARC. Results from Cycle VII were compared with those observed 25-30 years ago in Cycles 1 and II. Following is a brief summary of Cycle VII which involved three British breeds (Hereford, Angus, Red Angus) and four Continental breeds (Simmental, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Charolais).

• Differences for slaughter wt. (at 445 days of age) between progeny of Continental sire breeds compared to British sire breeds were considerably less than 25-30 years ago.
• Differences between Continental and British breeds in retail product percentage, marbling score, and percentage grading USDA Choice were similar to those in Cycles 1 and II.
• Warner-Bratzler shear force values did not differ significantly among breeds, except for Gelbvieh, which was significantly greater than Angus.
• Body weights of replacement heifers at 18 mos. of age did not differ significantly between British and Continental sired heifers. However, Continental sired heifers had higher frame scores.
• Heavier milking sire breeds of heifers (Simmental and Gelbvieh) tended to reach puberty at a younger age than those sired by other breeds.
• Calving difficulty scores and percent of unassisted births for F1 2-year-old heifers were similar among sire breeds except for Simmental sired heifers which experienced the least calving difficulty.
• Simmental and Gelbvieh sired heifers weaned significantly heavier calves than those sired by other breeds. However, pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed was similar among breeds.

• Beefmaster, Brangus, Angus and Hereford did not differ significantly in final slaughter wt. (432 days), all of which were significantly heavier than Bonsmara and Romosinuano.
• Angus had significantly lower percentages of retail product but higher levels of marbling and a greater percentage grading Choice than the other five breeds.
• Early indications are that Romosinuano replacement heifers may reach puberty at significantly older ages. However, there have been no significant differences among breeds of heifers in pregnancy rate.