Comparative study of fattening performance, carcass quality and economics return of the 5 beef breeds available in Thailand

Experiment utilized 30 yearling steers and was conducted according to a 5*2 Factorial in CRD experimental arrangement. Factor A was assigned to 5 beef breeds: Kamphaengsaen, Droughtmaster, Brangus, American Brahman and Indu-Brazil X Brahman. Factor B was assigned to 2 feeding regimes : concentrate+paragrass and complete feed. Feeding trial lasted until the steers were well marketable finished. All steers were slaughtered to determine carcass characteristics and muscle analysis. In experiment 1, the results showed that beef breeds and feeding regimes had no influence on the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (P0.05). Dry matter feed intake (DMI, percent BW) of the Droughtmaster was statistically higher than the Kamphaengsaen and Indu-Brazil X Brahman (P0.01). The steers fed with concentrate+paragrass had higher DMI (percent BW) than those fed with complete feed (P0.05). All breeds yielded similar dressing percentage and loin eye area. The Brangus and Kamphaengsaen had a statistically higher lean cut percentage than the Droughtmaster and Indu-Brazil X Brahman (P0.01). The steers fed with concentrate+paragrass had more lean cut percentage than those fed with complete feed (P0.01). The American Brahman and Indu-Brazil X Brahman had higher bone percentage than other breeds (P0.01). The Kamphaengsaen had lower fat trimmed percentage than the others (P0.01), but not different from the Brangus. The American Brahman, Brangus and Droughtmaster had higher fat thickness than the Kamphaengsaen and Indu-Brazil X Brahman (P0.01). The highest marbling level was found in the Droughtmaster (P0.01), but not different from the Brangus. The average net income from the Kamphaengsaen tended to be the highest. Those group fed with complete feed were more profitable than those fed with concentrate+paragrass. In experiment 2, the Kamphaengsaen, Droughtmaster and Brangus yield a better meat quality than the American Brahman and Indu-Brazil X Brahman. This is evidenced by a lower shear force value, better tenderness score, juiciness score and better flavor. The American Brahman and Indu-Brazil X Brahman yielded a deeper red color than the Kamphaengsaen, Droughtmaster and Brangus (P0.01). Breeds and feeding regimes had no influence on the sarcomere length and total collagen content of all steers. The American Brahman and Indu-Brazil X Brahman had a longer fiber diameters than the Kamphaengsaen and the Brangus (P0.05), but not different from Droughtmaster. The fat of steers fed with complete feed were lighter cream color than those fed with concentrate+paragrass (P0.01).