Carcass traits and meat quality of Brangus × Zebu steers in grazing systems receiving supplementation

Felipe Roberto Amaral Ferreira Do Valle,Carlos Augusto De Alencar Fontes,Alberto Magno Fernandes,Tadeu Silva De Oliveira,Elizabeth Fonseca Processi

doi:10.1590/1678-992x-2019-0228

Felipe Roberto Amaral Ferreira Do Valle, Carlos Augusto De Alencar Fontes + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2019-0228

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: The use of supplements eliminates deficiencies imposed by pasture, increases weight gain in animals and maximizes profits from the activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, carcass traits and meat quality of steers in grazing systems that received or did not receive a protein energy supplement at the level of 0.6 % body weight. The experiment lasted 160 days and included 36 Brangus × Zebu animals. Eighteen animals received supplementation and another eighteen did not receive supplementation. Carcasses were evaluated for yield, loin eye area, fat thickness and length. The assessment of meat quality evaluated the shear force, myofibril fragmentation index, color, exudative losses and collagen. The carcass traits of the supplemented animals showed higher values (p < 0.0001). Supplementation improved the color of the meat (p = 0.0434) and increased the amount of soluble collagen (p = 0.0456). The use of a protein energy supplement for steers in a pasture system increased the efficiency of muscle deposition of these animals and improved meat quality when compared to animals that were not supplemented.

Highlights

In Brazil, approximately 90 % of bovine meat production is carried out on zebu (Bos indicus) cattle that have finished due pasturing, and are castrated and slaughtered between 30 and 42 months of age (ANUALPEC, 2018)
The use of a protein energy supplement for steers in a pasture system increased the efficiency of muscle deposition of these animals and improved meat quality when compared to animals that were not supplemented
No interaction (p > 0.05) between supplement and area of repetition were observed for the variables analyzed

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, approximately 90 % of bovine meat production is carried out on zebu (Bos indicus) cattle that have finished due pasturing, and are castrated and slaughtered between 30 and 42 months of age (ANUALPEC, 2018). The use of crossbreeding of European and Zebu breeds due to heterosis and complementarity between these breeds improves productivity and produces meat with qualitative characteristics that are more widely accepted in both the national and international markets (Scollan et al, 2006). The success of the beef cattle production system depends on the use of a set of technology and management practices and the examination of an animal’s ability to produce meat with greater profitability. Brazilian beef cattle farms have been specializing in improving management, reducing costs and increasing production efficiency (Sestari et al, 2012)

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