Carcass and meat traits of feedlot Nellore bulls fed different dietary energy sources
2016
Maia Filho, Geraldo Helber Batista | Barbosa, Fabiano Alvim | Emerick, Lucas Luz | Souza, Rafahel Carvalho | Figueiredo, Tadeu Chaves | Azevedo, Henrique de Oliveira | Cavalcanti, Luigi Francis Lima | Mandarino, Raphael Amazonas
ABSTRACT The objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of different dietary energy sources on the carcass and meat traits of feedlot Nellore bulls. A total of 48 Nellore bulls at 32 months of age with 354.35±19.56 kg body weight were studied for 85 days. The bulls were allotted to four groups of 12 individuals: Whole corn grain - diet based on whole corn grain; Ground corn - diet based on ground corn grain; Citrus pulp - diet based on citrus pulp; and Steam-flaked corn - diet based on steam-flaked corn. Diets did not influence carcass quality or meat quality. Average values for fat depth, rib eye area, shear force, total cooking losses, and carcass yield were 4.97 mm, 74.71 cm2, 5.85 kgf, 26.82%, and 52.0%, respectively. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of this study, there is no restriction for the adoption of any of the tested diets in feedlots with Nellore bulls and the evaluated energy sources may be used to replace ground corn grain.
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