Carcass and meat characteristics of feedlot finished nelore cattle and their crossbreeds in the Brazilian Pantanal

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate cattle from different genetic groups finished in a feedlot and subject to the climatic conditions of the Upper Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, according to the behavior, carcass performance and characteristics, and quality of fresh or aged meat. Eight animals from each genetic group were confined for 84 days, including: Nelore (NEL), Aberdeen Angus x Nelore (AAN) and Canchim x Nelore (CAN). The animals were slaughtered using the cerebral concussion technique and cutting of the jugular vein, followed by removal of the hide and evisceration. The data was analyzed in a completely randomized design using PROC GLM, with the means compared by the Tukey test at 5% significance. For the behavioral parameters there was no effect of breed (P > 0.05). There was a negative correlation (P < .0001) between Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and water consumption, urination and defecation. Values of total and daily weight gain and feed efficiency were lower (P < 0.05) for NEL animals, with no difference between the AAN and CAN crossbreeds. The THI presented a negative correlation with the average daily gain and the total weight gain (P < 0.05). For the carcass variables, such as slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and carcass length, the AAN animals showed higher values (P < 0.05) than the other genetic groups. The qualitative variables evaluated did not present an interaction effect (P > 0.05). The tenderness parameters (shear force and myofibrillar fragmentation index) were lower and higher (P < 0.05), respectively, for the Aberdeen Angus crossbreed animals. It was concluded that the introduction of Taurine genes in the crossbreeds of Nelore animals is an excellent alternative for feedlot termination in the Pantanal conditions, since the behavior was not influenced by the climatic condition and the performance was superior for the AAN and CAN crossbreed animals. For the carcass and meat parameters the AAN crossbreed was best.