R. Bras. Zootec.01/Nov/1999;28(6):1245-51.
Carcass and meat characteristics from steers of different of Hereford x Nellore genotypes
DOI: 10.1590/S1516-35981999000600011
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the carcass and meat characteristics of Hereford (H), 5/8 H 3/8 Nellore (N), 1/2 H 1/2 N and 1/4 H 3/4 N steers, feedlot finished, from 20 to 24 months of age. Twenty-four steers randomly taken from the same herd were used. The diet contained, in a dry matter basis, 12.7% of crude protein and 57.5:42.5% forage:concentrate ratio. The forage was composed by corn silage + sugar cane (relation 1:1). The slaughter and cold carcass weights were higher for 1/2 H 1/2 N steers (443 and 236 kg) followed by 5/8 H 3/8 N (426 and 225 kg). The cold carcass dressing percentage increased as the proportion of N increased, being 48.91, 52.74, 53.37 and 54.23%, respectively. There was no difference for subcutaneous fat thickness, bone, muscle and fat percentage in the carcass. The meat tenderness decreased with the increase of Nellore proportion in the genotype.
Keywords: Bos indicus; Bos taurus; crossbreeding; dressing percentage; feedlot; meat tenderness