Performance, carcass and meat characteristics of two cattle categories finished on pasture during the dry season with supplementation in different forage allowance

A.S Aranha,A.T.H Utsunomiya,J.A.A Santos,G.P Mateus,C Andrighetto,G.C Lupatini,M.B Martins,C Ducatti,N.B Athayde,R.O Roça,P.A.C Luz

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-9576

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective this paper was to evaluate the effect of two categories of beef finished in pasture with supplementation with two herbage allowance on performance, carcass and meat characteristics. Thirty-six Guzera cattle were used, 18 steers and 18 heifers with an initial age of 20 months. There was significant difference in daily weight gain for animal category and the herbage allowance, which were higher in males and animals submitted to high herbage allowance. Steers showed higher final weight, carcass weight and forequarter yield compared with the heifers, although the hindquarter yield was higher in the heifers, however the herbage allowance did not influence these characteristics. There were not statistical differences for carcass yield, ribeye area, backfat thickness and marbling score for the animal categories and herbage allowance. The meat chemical composition of the steers did not differ of the heifers, however, the animals submitted to high herbage allowance was increase in ether extract and pH, decrease in protein percentage. It was concluded that the animal category and the herbage allowance changed the animal performance, improving performance in males and cattle submitted to high herbage allowance.

Highlights

According to the Anuário (2016), approximately 84% of the total number of cattle slaughtered in Brazil in 2015 was finished in pastures and other animals (16%) were finished in feedlot systems or semi-feedlot
The performance parameters and carcass traits are shown in Tab. 1, interaction between the animal category and herbage allowance was not found (P>0.05), the results were presented separately and demonstrating that the categories studied did not show differences in these parameters for different forage levels
Performance data shows that the heifers had lower final weight compared to steers, this fact occurred due the lower initial weight and less weight gain in that category which resulted in lower hot carcass weight

Summary

Introduction

According to the Anuário (2016), approximately 84% of the total number of cattle slaughtered in Brazil in 2015 was finished in pastures and other animals (16%) were finished in feedlot systems or semi-feedlot. The seasonal production of forage is the principal factor responsible for the low national livestock productivity, reducing the forage production in periods when decreased photoperiod, average temperature, and rainfall These three factors together decrease the forage grow throughout the year, resulting decrease in quantitative and qualitative forage availability, affecting performance and meat quality of animals kept on pasture (Reis et al, 2006). Under these conditions, especially during the dry period, limit the growth of forages require strategies, such as the use of supplementation (Barbero et al, 2017). The supplementation is alternative to accelerate weight gain and increase the use of available forage resources (Euclides et al, 2009)

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Conclusion