[CowboyIndian]

  Of course the way the animal is raised and fed has an impact (see Waygu) but breeding sets the potential.  You can feed Bessie all the corn you want.  She may get fat but she isn't going to produce well-marbled prime steaks.

Not sure where you're getting your info but, for the most part, breeding only sets the potential for how efficiently and quickly a beef will get to slaughter weight (1250#-1400#) and carcass quality (marbling). That is, how little feed can be run through the steer to get him to grade. This is true of the Wagyu, which bulls are now being bred to Angus heifers to produce "American Kobe"  beef. Just about all beef breeds can be made to marble and grade high Choice or Prime...but their relative value comes from their genetic ability to do it quickly and cheaply. Angus cattle don't produce better beef per se, but they do mature earlier than other breeds and thus marble up in a way that pleases feedlot owners. Therefore they bring more $$ on the hoof.

And you are almost right about Bessie (if you are referring to dairy breeds). Most of the steer calves taken off milking mothers will never grade prime, but they will fatten and grade Choice often enough to make it worth taking them through the feedlot process. Bessie herself, when her milking days are done, and as is also the case with beef breed mother cows, will be taken immediately to slaughter to produce hamburger, bologna, salami, jerky and maybe a Sizzler or Golden Corral steak or two from the backstrap and loin.

[CowboyIndian]

  Of course the way the animal is raised and fed has an impact (see Waygu) but breeding sets the potential.  You can feed Bessie all the corn you want.  She may get fat but she isn't going to produce well-marbled prime steaks.

Not sure where you're getting your info but, for the most part, breeding only sets the potential for how efficiently and quickly a beef will get to slaughter weight (1250#-1400#) and carcass quality (marbling). That is, how little feed can be run through the steer to get him to grade. This is true of the Wagyu, which bulls are now being bred to Angus heifers to produce "American Kobe"  beef. Just about all beef breeds can be made to marble and grade high Choice or Prime...but their relative value comes from their genetic ability to do it quickly and cheaply. Angus cattle don't produce better beef per se, but they do mature earlier than other breeds and thus marble up in a way that pleases feedlot owners. Therefore they bring more $$ on the hoof.

And you are almost right about Bessie (if you are referring to dairy breeds). Most of the steer calves taken off milking mothers will never grade prime, but they will fatten and grade Choice often enough to make it worth taking them through the feedlot process. Bessie herself, when her milking days are done, and as is also the case with beef breed mother cows, will be taken immediately to slaughter to produce hamburger, bologna, salami, jerky and maybe a Sizzler or Golden Corral steak or two from the backstrap and loin.