Effect of feeding system and breed on growth performance, and carcass and meat quality traits in two continental beef breeds

Meat Sci. 2015 Sep:107:94-103. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.04.016. Epub 2015 May 4.

Abstract

A total of 100 young bulls were allotted a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effect of the feeding system (concentrate and wheat straw: T; total mixed ration comprised of the same concentrate, maize silage and wheat straw: TMR) and breed (Limousine: LI; Retinta: RE) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The diets were administrated ad libitum for 193 days. The average daily weight gain was similar (P > 0.05) for both diets, while the LI bulls grew significantly (P < 0.05) more than RE. T bulls showed higher L*, a* and rib bone percentage. TMR bulls showed higher carcass yield, conformation and fatness, and greater changes in ultrasound measurements, except Δ UGMD and rib fat percentage. Instrumental meat quality, except shear force at 1 and 21 days of ageing, was not affected (P > 0.05) by the diets. Breed significantly affected most of the analyzed characteristics.

Keywords: Cereal straw; Concentrate; Limousine; Retinta; Total mixed ration.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animal Feed*
  • Animal Husbandry / methods*
  • Animals
  • Body Composition*
  • Bone and Bones
  • Breeding*
  • Cattle
  • Color
  • Diet*
  • Edible Grain
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Red Meat / analysis*
  • Red Meat / standards
  • Silage
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Triticum
  • Weight Gain*
  • Zea mays