Abstract
Carcass characteristics of small and medium-frame Aberdeen Angus young steers, finished in feedlot and slaughtered with similar subcutaneous fat thickness are evaluated. The average age and live weight at the start of feedlot were respectively 298 days and 202 kg. The steers were confined during 158 days, and slaughtered with average subcutaneous fat thickness of 6.4 mm. The feed consisted of sorghum silage and concentrate at 60:40 ratio of dry matter during the first 63 days and 50:50 afterward. The frame was calculated by formula F =-11.548 + (0.4878xh) - (0.0289xID) + (0.0000146xID²)+(0.0000759xIDxh), where h is the height and ID the age, in days. Steers with medium frame showed superiority in important marketing aspects such as warm (p < 0.0001) and cold carcass (p < 0.0001) weights. Muscularity measurements such as longissimus dorsi area in relation to cold carcass (p = 0.0477) and empty body (p = 0.0419) weights were lower for medium-frame steers. Carcass conformation, longissimus dorsi area and cushion thickness were similar in both frame. The commercial cuts, forequarter (p < 0.001), flank (p = 0.009) and saw cut (p = 0.0003) in kg were higher for medium-frame steers. Saw cut decreased 0.18% with an increase in frame (p = 0.0404). Weight of the carcass tissues increased with the steers frame, whereas the percentage of muscle tissue decreased 0.57% (p = 0.0410).
Highlights
The inclusion of abattoirs and producers within the production chain is mandatory so that the requirements of beef consumer could be satisfied
The characteristics of very young Aberdeen Angus young steers with small and medium-frame slaughtered with the same carcass fitness are evaluated
Animals were confined during 158 days and slaughtered with an average age of 456 days and mean weight of 397 ± 0.12 and 455 ± 7.68, respectively, and 6.39 ± 1.53 mm subcutaneous fat thickness
Summary
The inclusion of abattoirs and producers within the production chain is mandatory so that the requirements of beef consumer could be satisfied. Improvement in beef quality and more efficient production undergo processes such as. Aberdeen Angus steers are characterized by early fat deposition and excellent biological efficiency, both of which satisfy the producers’ needs. The direct relationship between biotypes and production efficiency in steers has incorporated characteristics associated with animal size in improvement programs (ROSO; FRIES, 1995). Whereas large-frame animals are generally heavy at any age with a great amount of lean beef and late developing, the smaller ones are lighter, with early development and greater fat deposition (DI MARCO et al, 2007). The characteristics of very young Aberdeen Angus young steers with small and medium-frame slaughtered with the same carcass fitness are evaluated
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