Carcass quality of crossbred steers with different degrees of zebu blood in the genotype: meta-analysis

Tiago Venturini,Fernando Kuss,Luís Fernando Glasenapp De Menezes,Thomas Newton Martin,Douglas Vonz,Wagner Paris

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982011001100041

Tiago Venturini, Fernando Kuss + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982011001100041

Copy DOI

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of the different percentages of zebu blood in the genotype of crossbred steers on carcass traits, a meta-analysis was carried out, using 30 studies conducted in Brazil that have been published since the year 2000. The parameters evaluated were hot carcass weight (221 estimates), cold carcass weight (232), hot carcass (236) and cold carcass yield (223), subcutaneous fat thickness (238) and the percentages of saw cut (233), forequarter (234) and sidecut (246 estimates). Initially, exploratory analysis was performed for each of the variables for detection of publication vices through the dispersion of observations by pointing out the outliers eliminated. Normality tests were normal and the data were subjected to analysis of variance for the regression study, which were assessed to the third degree. Weights of hot carcass and cold carcass, hot and cold carcass yield and the percentage of saw cut had a quadratic effect on animals with the presence of zebu blood, indicating superiority of crossbred animals. The regression equation showed that 66; 50; 72; 81 and 59% of zebu in crossbred animals showed higher hot and cold carcass weight, hot and cold carcass percentage and saw cut, respectively. Fat thickness was not influenced by the degree of zebu in the genotype. The percentage of forequarter has a positive response by increasing the degree of zebu in the genotype, while the sidecut has a negative answer. The crossbreeding between zebu and European breeds provides carcasses with better quality than purebred animals.

Highlights

With the increase in the production and the amount of beef produced and exported, the production chain of this segment in Brazil has stood out internationally
Purebred animals did not reach the average cold carcass weight of 230 kg (Table 2), minimum sought by the beef industry to reduce the costs of production (Costa et al, 2002)
In spite of the use of meta-analysis, which could lead to high variability of the data, the coefficient of variation (CV = 11.5%) for hot carcass weight was similar to that found in the literature: Zervoudakis et al (2001), 8.9%; Canesin et al (2006), 7.74%; Marcondes et al (2008), 11.63%

Summary

Introduction

With the increase in the production and the amount of beef produced and exported, the production chain of this segment in Brazil has stood out internationally. The crossbreeding between European and Zebu breeds is one of the practices used to increase animal performance, widely used in countries with emphasis on beef production, like the United States of America, New Zealand, Canada and Australia, reaching levels above 80% of application on herds (Sundstrom et al, 1994). The use of European breeds (Bos taurus taurus) in crossbreeding helps to improve the quality of carcass and meat, besides reducing the age at slaughter. This study aims to evaluate the variations found in experimental research and conduct a scientific systematization of information to obtain more precise information to support producers in the definition of which degree of participation of zebu in the genotype provides greater income to the producers, as well as to assess the possibility of the beef industry’s being more profitable and pay a fairer price for the product

Objectives

Methods

Results