Carcass and meat quality of young Angus steers with different growth potential finished exclusively grass-fed or corn supplemented

Comparison of slaughter and carcass characteristics of Limousin, Charolais, Angus, and Hereford beef cattle in Turkey

The slaughter and carcass features of four breeds named Limousin (LI), Charolais (CH), Angus (AN), and Hereford (HE) were examined. Nine calves from each breed were slaughtered at an average age of 18.5 months. The animals were weighed before slaughter, and the slaughter weights as well as some body measurements of the animals were recorded. The dismemberment of the carcasses was performed after a resting period of 24 h at + 4 °C. The slaughter weights were 581.89, 590.72, 577.67, and 610.89 kg, respectively. Chilled carcass weights were 348.26, 346.91, 327.60, and 338.10 kg, respectively, with no significant differences among breeds. Dressing percentages were 59.89, 58.75, 56.71, and 55.33%, and the valuable meat ratios were 27.89, 27.66, 24.45, and 24.32%, respectively. Carcass bone ratios were 13.89, 14.17, 14.64, and 14.61%, respectively. The longissimus muscle areas (LMA) were 97.46, 102.29, 81.05, and 83.93 cm², and the subcutaneous fat thickness was 0.38, 0.43, 1.00, and 1.32 cm, respectively. Significant differences were observed among breeds in terms of these characteristics. Carcass weight was highest in LI, and LI and CH breeds had higher carcass yields than the other two breeds. Although HE had the highest slaughter weight, it showed the lowest carcass yield. Whilst more meat was obtained from LI and CH, the highest fat and bone ratios were determined in HE and AN.

Growth Performance, Carcass and Meat Traits of Autochthonous Arouquesa Weaners Raised on Traditional and Improved Feeding Systems

Arouquesa is an autochthonous bovine breed known for its Arouquesa PDO beef labeling. There are several production systems under the definition of PDO labeling. This study aimed to compare the effect of different production systems on carcass and meat traits for the Arouquesa breed. Two trials differing in diet and weaning age were conducted. The first trial included a TF group fed the traditional way and weaned at 9 months; a TF + S1 group, equal to TF, but with a starter supplement; and finally, a S1 + S2 group that was fed with a starter and a growth supplement and weaned at 5 months. The second trial was composed of a TF + S3 group fed like the TF + S1 group but reared until 12 months with a finishing supplement, and finally, the S3 group fed like the S1 + S2 group but reared until 12 months. In the first trial, the TF + S1 and S1 + S2 groups showed higher final live weight and average daily gain. In the second trial, we observed differences in the subcutaneous fat that was higher in the S3 group. Regarding meat traits, we observed differences in exudative and cooking losses in the first trial. In general, supplementation improved meat production without affecting meat quality parameters.