Belgian White-blue Bulls Research Articles

Changes in the colour and sensory properties of beef frozen after seven days of ageing in a modified atmosphere

The aim of the study was to evaluate the colour, sensory properties and shear force values of meat from ten young bulls produced by crossing Polish Black-and-White Holstein-Friesian cows with Belgian White Blue bulls. The quality of the longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was determined after seven-day ageing under various modified atmosphere (MA) conditions (vacuum – group B; 40% CO2 + 60% N2 – group C; 30% CO2 + 70% Ar – group D) followed by freezing and frozen storage. The process of seven- day ageing in MA composed of 40% CO2 + 60% N2 significantly increased the colour lightness of the beef samples. Eight-month frozen storage increased colour lightness in the meat samples aged in MA composed of 30% CO2 + 70% Ar. Meat samples aged under various MA conditions had a higher contribution of redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) than non-aged beef. Meat samples frozen after ageing in MA containing Ar had less redness than the samples from other groups. After frozen storage, meat samples from all groups had less redness and yellowness. Ageing and frozen storage had no significant effect on the juiciness of the beef. The beef aged in vacuum conditions was the most tender, both before and after frozen storage. Ageing had no significant influence on the shear force of meat samples evaluated before freezing. Meat samples aged in MA composed of 30% CO2 + 70% Ar evaluated after frozen storage had lower average shear force values than beef that had not been aged prior to freezing.

Ex‐vivo magnetic resonance image texture analysis can discriminate genotypic origin in bovine meat

AbstractTexture analysis (TA) combined with dedicated gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at high field provides specific parametric $T_{2}^{*}$ maps of connective tissue and allows statistical analysis of the resulting texture. The present study clearly demonstrates that MRI‐TA of bovine meat can discriminate between muscle types Gluteo biceps and Pectoralis profundus, and between genotype origins corresponding to the mutation on the myostatin gene: normal +/+, heterozygous mh/+ or homozygous double‐muscled mh/mh Belgian White Blue bulls. Values of interclass separations reflect the significantly different collagen and fat contents in these genotypes. To our knowledge, no previous study has demonstrated such a correlation between MRI texture and genetics‐related modifications. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Microbial protein synthesis in growing-finishing bulls estimated from the urinary excretion of purine derivatives

In the frame of a feeding experiment with three periods, balance trials were carried out with 18 double-muscled Belgian White–blue bulls, allocated to one of four feeding regimes. The ration consisted of maize silage and concentrate in the ratio of 35:65 on DM basis. Six concentrates were formulated to supply three levels of protein and energy. The three periods corresponded to distinct live weight intervals of 360–460, 460–570 and 570–680 kg. In the first feeding regime, low protein and intermediate energy level were given during the whole trial; in the second regime, protein level decreased at a constant intermediate energy level; in the third regime, the energy level increased at a constant high protein level; in the fourth regime, protein level decreased simultaneously with an increase in the energy level. Total daily intake varied from 6.2 to 9.7 kg for dry matter (DM), from 65 to 106 MJ for metabolisable energy (ME) and from 719 to 1326 g for crude protein (CP) (50 animal observations). At the end of each period, the excretion of the purine derivatives (PD), allantoin and uric acid, was measured after total urine collection during 4 days to estimate microbial nitrogen supply to the duodenum (MN PD). The effect of the intake of DM, organic matter (OM), digestible OM (DOM), digestible carbohydrates (DCHO), total digestible nutrients (TDN), rumen fermentable OM (FOM), metabolisable energy (ME), fermentable ME (FME), CP, digestible CP (DCP) and rumen degradable protein (RDP) on PD and MN PD was examined. Further, the relationship of MN PD to MN, calculated according to different systems, was examined. The amount (mean±SD) of allantoin excreted in urine was 147±23 mmol day −1 and of uric acid 11±3 mmol day −1. The MN PD amounted to 97±21 g day −1, varying from 57 to 154 g day −1, and significantly increased with all measures of nutrient intake. The correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.45 for DCP to 0.57 for DOM and FME, were, however, not significantly different. MN PD showed a larger variation and was on average lower than the potential MN values calculated from the intake of FOM (108±13 g day −1), DCHO (141±16 g day −1) and FME (109±13 g day −1), similar to that calculated from the intake of RDP (99±14 g day −1) and higher than the MN value calculated from the intake of TDN (84±11 g day −1). The correlations of MN PD to the calculated MN values ranged from 0.47 for MN FOM to 0.59 for MN FME, but were not significantly different.

Effect of cimaterol on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality in double-muscled Belgian White-blue bulls

Thirty-two double-muscled Belgian White-blue bulls, within a liveweight range of 542 (± 37) to 722 (± 31) kg, daily received 0 or 60 μg cimaterol kg−1 liveweight in a corn silage diet for 136 (± 29) d. Cimaterol slightly improved average daily gain from 1.28 to 1.38 kg (P > 0.05). Cold carcass weight and dressing were increased by cimaterol from 497.0 to 514.6 kg (P < 0.05) and from 71.0 to 72.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. Even in extremely meaty animals, cimaterol exerted a significant repartitioning effect towards more meat and less fat, both in the carcass and in the longissimus thoracis muscle. Cimaterol increased the shear force value from 37.1 to 52.7 N (P < 0.001) but had no effect on other organoleptical traits. Key words: Cimaterol, double-muscled bulls, growth, carcass, meat quality

Effect of duration of a beta-agonist treatment on growth, feed intake and carcass characteristics in finishing bulls.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of a different duration of dietary cimaterol on animal performances and carcass characteristics in finishing Belgian White-blue bulls. They received a concentrate diet ad libitum during 228 days on average, containing no cimaterol (control) or 4 ppm cimaterol during 71, 127 or 246 days (experiment 1) or during the last 76, 108 or 136 days before the end of the fattening period (experiment 2). Prior to slaughter a 6-day withdrawal period was applied. There was a significant increase in the growth rate immediately after the onset of the cimaterol feeding. A long-term cimaterol administration of 4.5 to 8 months tended to decrease daily gain towards the end of the experiment. Average daily feed intake was only slightly reduced when cimaterol was fed from the beginning of the experiment. Feed conversion was improved by cimaterol, but the effect was smaller after a long-term administration. Increased Longissimus dorsi area and hindleg width revealed muscle hypertrophy in cimaterol-treated bulls. Dressing percent and carcass meat content were increased. Optimum duration of 4 ppm dietary cimaterol varied between 2.5 and 4 months.

Economic and Production Consequences of Liver Fluke Disease in Double‐Muscled Fattening Cattle

The frequency of liver fluke disease in fattening units was determined by the analysis of random faeces samples issued from 1,513 Belgian White Blue bulls aged from 5 to 7 months and weighing from 200 to 300 kg. 12.5% of the investigated bulls were positive for liver fluke disease. These bulls were spread over 56.5% of the investigated fattening units. Furthermore the infestation rate varied from 0 to 33.3% inside the fattening units. In order to assess the economic consequences of bovine fascioliasis in double-muscled cattle and the beneficial effects of a treatment against such a disease, a trial including 30 Belgian White Blue bulls, weighing 365 +/- 9 kg and aged from 10 to 12 months, was conducted in a selected fattening unit. On the basis of faecal examinations, the 30 animals were subdivided in negative (group A; n = 10) and positive animals (n = 20) for fascioliasis, the latter being either treated with nitroxinil (group B; n = 10) or not (group C; n = 10) on day 0 of this trial which was conducted during 75 days. The daily body gains in group C (1.661 +/- 0.140 kg) were significantly lower than those in group A (1.975 +/- 0.120 kg). On the other hand there was no significant difference between the daily body gains registered in group B (1.960 +/- 0.085 kg) and A. The estimated financial loss, due to flukes and accounted on a 75 day-period, averaged 2,748 Belgian Francs per bull in group C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Response to Virginiamycin in Finishing Beef Bulls Fed a Maize Silage Diet or a Complete Dry Feed

Two experiments have been conducted to study the effect of virginiamycin in a maize silage diet (I) or a complete dry feed (II). Virginiamycin was incorporated at 0 or 65 mg per kg concentrate which was fed at 0.75% of the live weight of 43 Belgian white-red bulls (I), or at 0 or 25 mg per kg complete dry feed for 24 Belgian white-blue bulls (II). In the first experiment daily gain was increased by virginiamycin from 1.28 to 1.38 kg without effect on intake, but with an improved feed conversion from 5.99 to 5.60 kg dry matter/kg gain. In the second experiment daily gain, daily dry matter intake and feed conversion were not influenced by virginiamycin. The differences between experiments may suggest that the response to virginiamycin probably depends on the diet type, although no significant interaction was found between diet type and virginiamycin with regard to growth rate (P greater than 0.10). In both experiments, fasting weight loss, dressing percent and carcass classification and composition were not affected by virginiamycin.

Effect of a β-agonist on meat quality and myofibrillar protein fragmentation in bulls

Three experiments were conducted to study the effect of cimaterol on meat quality and myofibrillar protein fragmentation of the Longissimus dorsi muscle. In two experiments (Experiments 1 and 2), conducted with 16 double-muscled Belgian white-blue bulls and 15 Charolais bulls, respectively, half of the animals received 60 μg cimaterol daily per kg liveweight in the diet, during 135 and 93 days, respectively. In a third experiment, 46 normal Belgian white-blue bulls received no or 4 ppm cimaterol in the diet for 246, 127 or 71 days on average. A withdrawal period of 6 days was always applied for cimaterol-treated animals. Ultimate pH, colour and waterholding capacity were not significantly affected. The effect of cimaterol on moisture content was variable, while protein content was increased and fat was reduced. Warner-Bratzler shear force values were increased by cimaterol P < 0·05 in Experiments 2 and 3 and P = 0·07 in Experiment 1). The lower tenderness cannot be explained by differences in sarcomere length or hydroxyproline content. Myofibrillar protein fragmentation was lower when cimaterol was fed, suggesting that cimaterol may reduce myofibrillar protein degradation via a lower activity of the proteolytic enzymes. Length of cimaterol administration only exerted minor effects on meat quality.

A note on the effect of feeding cimaterol on some endocrinological parameters and growth in different types of finishing beef bulls

Investigations were made of the effects of the fi-agonist cimaterol on the growth and hormone status of normal and double-muscled Belgian White-blue bulls. Results indicated that repartitioning effects of this agonist may in part be mediated indirectly through an alteration in the levels of metabolic hormones and that the growth promoting effect is transient.

Resting behaviour of Belgian White-Blue and Friesian fattening bulls in a tie-stall barn

Standing and lying bouts of 11 fattening bulls were recorded continuously during two 1-week trials. There were 6 Friesian bulls and 5 double-muscled bulls from the Belgian White-Blue breed. At the start of Trial 1, the Friesian and Belgian White-Blue bulls averaged respectively. Trial 2 started 84 days later when the liveweight was about 100 kg more. The bulls were tied up in a stanchion barn. Standing up and lying down were recorded by an electrical device. The mean lying times per 24 h of the Friesian bulls were 16.52 h in Trial 1 and 16.13 h in Trial 2; the corresponding values for the Belgian White-Blue bulls were 15.77 and 16.82 h. Differences between breeds and between trials were not significant. The variability between the Belgian White-Blue bulls was larger than between the Friesians. The mean number of lying bouts per 24 h ranged from 12.31 to 16.97, the highest value being observed with the double-muscled animals in Trial 2. Resting behaviour was different between the day and the night. From 18.00 to 06.00 h, the lying time ranged from 9.75 to 10.89 h according to group; from 06.00 to 18.00 h, the corresponding values were 5.56 and 6.71 h. The repartition of lying bouts according to their length was not different between trials for the Friesian bulls. The proportions of lying bouts shorter than 15 min and longer than 1 h were on average 7.6 and 59.2%. For the Belgian White-Blue bulls, the repartition was different between trials: the proportions of lying bouts shorter than 15 min were 4.6 and 7.9% in Trials 1 and 2, respectively; those longer than 1 h were 60.6 and 43.6%. The proportions of lying times of long duration (>2 h) and standing times of short duration (<15 min) were higher for the Friesian than for the Belgian White-Blue bulls.

Effects of an anabolic treatment before puberty with trenbolone acetate-oestradiol or oestradiol alone on growth rate, testicular development and luteinizing hormone and testosterone plasma concentrations

Scrotal circumference, growth and hormonal status after prepubertal anabolic treatments were studied in 18 conventional Belgian White Blue bulls from 3 to 13 mo of age. Young bulls were assigned into three groups: six untreated (control) bulls, six bulls implanted with 140 mg trenbolone acetate + 20 mg oestradiol (Revalor; TBA-E2) and six bulls treated with 45 mg oestradiol (Compudose; E2). Mean scrotal circumference was similar in the three groups at Day O (between 13.0 ± 0.3 cm to 13.4 ± 0.7 cm). From Days O to 230, scrotal circumference was strongly inhibited in implanted bulls, 23.2 ± 1.4, 21.7 ± 1.0 cm, respectively, for TBA-E2 and E2 at Day 210, as compared with 29.5 ± 2.2 cm in control bulls (P < 0.001). Afterwards, differences lessened gradually and no significant divergence was observed between the three groups from Day 310. Average plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were similar in the three groups throughout the assay. Mean testosterone levels remained extremely low upto Day 150 in TBA-E2 and E2 groups (0.6 ± 0.6, 1.2 ± 0.7 ng/ml, respectively) before they increased abruptly and reached values observed in control bulls at Day 180 (4.0 ± 1.9 ng/ml). The pulsatil character of LH and testosterone profiles was abolished by the anabolic treatments. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) injection was followed by an immediate and sharp increase in plasma LH concentrations in all groups at Day 0. Anabolic treatments strongly reduced LH and testosterone responses to LHRH in treated groups.

Influence of anabolic treatments on luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion in bulls

ABSTRACTFourteen growing Belgian White Blue bulls were assigned to three groups: five controls (C); five bulls implanted with 140 mg trenbolone acetate and 36 mg Zeranol (TBA-Z); and four bulls implanted with 140 mg trenbolone acetate and 20 mg oestradiol-17β (TBA-E2). Testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in blood plasma were determined at day 0, 30 and 60. Mean plasma LH concentrations measured by repeated sampling over a 10-h period were similar at day 0, 30 and 60 in the three groups. At days 30 and 60, T levels were significantly lowered in treated bulls: namely 2·0 (s.d. 0·7) μg/1 v. 2·7 (s.d. 0·5) μg/1; 0·7 (s.d. 0·1) μg/1 v. 1·0 (s.d. 0·3) μg/1; 0·5 (s.d. 0·1) μg/l v. 0·4 (s.d. 0·2) μg/1 in the C, TBA-Z and TBA-E2 groups respectively. Moreover, anabolic compounds completely abolished pulsatile liberation of LH and T.In control bulls intravenous injection of 0·5 ng/kg body weight of LH releasing hormone (LHRH) caused the release of a large quantity of LH (10 to 13 times the basal level after 10 min) followed by an increase in plasma T levels. On the other hand, LH and T responses to LHRH were reduced by TBA-E2 and TBA-Z treatments. A delay in LH response to LHRH was apparent 6 days after anabolic treatment. However, the total amount of LH liberated during the test was increased. The second effect was a quantitative reduction at days 20, 30 and 60 in LH and T secretion after LHRH. The modification of the hormonal pattern was quicker and more pronounced in TBA-E2 than in TBA-Z animals. Correlation was negative (r = −0·68; P &lt; 0·05) between the mean daily gain during the experimental period and the total quantity of T liberated by the testis after LHRH stimulation at day 60. It was concluded that administration of trenbolone acetate plus Zeranol or trenbolone acetate plus oestradiol-17β in pubertal bulls reduced the LH and T responses to LHRH and abolished the pulsatile LH and T secretions.

Plasma testosterone and LH responses to LHRH in double-muscled bulls treated with trenbolone acetate and zeranol.

Twenty-four double-muscled Belgian White Blue bulls were assigned, according to body weight, to two groups with and without treatment with anabolic agents. Implants containing 140 mg trenbolone and 36 mg zeranol (Forplix) were inserted sc on the upper face of the ear flap. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined at d 0, 30 and 60 of the experimental period. Mean testosterone levels at d 0 for treated and controls were, respectively, 2.1 and 1.7 ng/ml during the 10-h sampling period. At d 30 and 60, testosterone levels were strongly depressed in implanted bulls (.2 ng/ml) as compared with 2.5 and 1.7 ng/ml in control bulls (P less than .001 at d 30 and P less than .01 at d 60). Average plasma LH concentrations were identical in the two groups at d 0 and 60 (1.1 and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively), but showed a slight decrease at d 30 in the treated group (P less than .10). The pulsatile character of LH and testosterone profiles was abolished by the Forplix treatment. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) injection at d 0 was followed in both groups by an immediate and sharp increase in plasma LH concentrations. The LH response reached a maximal value between 20 to 40 min postinjection and then declined rapidly. On the contrary, Forplix treatment strongly reduced LH and testosterone responses to LHRH stimulation in treated animals. Average daily gain and feed to gain ratios were 1.087 +/- .127 and 7.52 +/- .32 kg, respectively, for the control bulls and 1.335 +/- .092 and 6.24 +/- .24 kg for the Forplix-treated bulls, thus clearly showing a beneficial effect of Forplix treatment.

Effect of avoparcin on performance, body composition and meat quality of finishing bulls

Three experiments were carried out with Belgian white-blue bulls housed in tie stalls. They received maize silage in the first trial and maize silage supplemented with a restricted amount of potatoes in two other trials. Besides the basal feed an appropriate concentrate was given at 7.5 g per kg liveweight per day. In Experiments I and II half the animals received 150 mg avoparcin per kg concentrate. In Experiment III, three concentrates were administered, containing 0, 75 and 150 mg avoparcin per kg. For the three trials, daily gain amounted to 1.07 and 1.08 kg; 1.11 and 1.07 kg; and 1.11, 1.14 and 1.13 kg, respectively, for the control and avoparcin-fed animals. Treatment differences were not significant. Daily feed intake was depressed from 75.6 to 73.3 g; 75.9 to 71.9 g; and from 75.3 to 72.9 and 71.4 g dry matter per kg W 0.75, respectively. Avoparcin improved dry matter consumption per kg gain by 4% in Experiment I, 3% in Experiment II and 6 and 7% in Experiment III. Differences in intake were significant only in Experiment III ( P<0.05). Carcass parameters did not differ significantly and meat quality characteristics were mostly very similar.

Monensin-sodium as a performance-promoting additive for fattening bulls and its impact on carcass and meat quality characteristics

Two experiments were carried out with 54 Belgian white-blue bulls. Their basic feed consisted of maize silage alone or supplemented with a restricted amount of fresh potatoes. The concentrate was restricted to 7.5 g/kg liveweight per day and contained either 0 or 65 mg/kg monensin-sodium. The daily liveweight gain was not influenced significantly by the additive. However, the mean feed intake of the bulls given monensin was significantly lower, resulting in a significantly better energy efficiency of 7% on average for the two experiments. Neither the fasting weight loss, the dressing percentage, nor carcass composition and conformation, were significantly affected by monensin. Most meat quality characteristics were slightly but not significantly different. Only the haematin content of the monensin group in the second trial was significantly higher compared to the control group.

The effect of straw-bedded loose houses or tie stalls on the performances of finishing bulls

During six consecutive years the impact of the housing type on the performances of bulls was investigated with eight different diets. In total 261 fattening young Belgian white-blue bulls were involved; 127 animals were tied in straw-bedded stalls, and 134 bulls were kept in loose houses on straw bedding. Both groups were housed in the same closed uninsulated stable. With two of the eight diets the tied animals had a slightly, but not significantly, higher daily liveweight gain than the loose-housed bulls. The average difference was 68 g per day higher for loose-housed animals, 1160 g compared with 1092 g per day for the tied animals. The higher weight gain was demonstrated during almost the whole experimental period, and was significantly different ( P < 0.01). The daily feed intake was always higher for the loose housed animals; the mean daily starch unit intake per kg W 0 · 75 was 58.5 units for the loose-housed bulls versus 52.2 units for the tied ones. The feed conversion for the tied animals was 4.51 starch equivalent versus 4.79 for loose-housed animals. The dressing percentage was not dependent of the housing system, although the weight loss by fasting before slaughtering was 0.5% higher for loose housed animals than for tied animals; the difference was significant ( P < 0.01). The mean weight loss by fasting was 2.5 and 2.0%, respectively.