Effect of ration, sex, and breed on carcass performance and meat quality of cattle from suckler cow systems | Einfluss von Rationsgestaltung, Geschlecht, und Genetik auf die Schlachtleistung und Fleischqualitaet von Mastrinderd aus Mutterkuhhaltung
2008
Velik, M., LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein (Austria). Lehr und Forschungszentrum | Steinwidder, A. | Frickh, J.
In the present study, bulls and heifers from suckler cow farms of three different genotypes (Fleckvieh x Fleckvieh (FF), Fleckvieh x Limousin (FL), and Fleckvieh x Charolais (FC)) were fattened with grass silage and two concentrate levels (2.6 3.5 kg DM and 4.0 5.3 kg DM concentrates, respectively). Heifers were slaughtered at 480 and 550 kg live weight and bulls at 550 and 620 kg live weight, respectively. Gender had a significant effect on all carcass and meat quality traits, with the exception of conformation score, percentage of valuable sections, and meat protein content. Bulls showed significantly higher slaughtering performances; however, the first slaughter date of the bulls seemed too early. As expected, meat of heifers showed significantly better meat quality parameters. The genotype FF showed the worst carcass quality (57.1 % dressing percentage, 3.4 conformation classification, 37.8 % valuable sections, 12.4 % fat tissue). Genotype had a significant effect on water holding capacity and Longissimus muscle area. With increasing slaughter weight, dressing percentage, conformation classification, but - especially in heifers also carcass fat increased significantly. Moreover, higher slaughter weights significantly affected Longissimus muscle area, drip loss, and shear force. Intensity of concentrate intake had no marked effect on parameters of carcass and meat performance.
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