Carcass Conformation Score Research Articles

The effects of barley/triticale silage on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of lambs

This study was conducted to investigate the performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of lambs fed barley/triticale silage treated with/without inoculant and enzyme mixture-based diets with similar barley supplementation. Thirty Tahirova × Sakız crossbred weaned ram lambs (mean body weight: 34 ± 0.5 kg) were used in this study. Lambs were randomly divided into groups of 3 and fed the respective diets. These 3 diets were: 1) hay grass + barley, 2) triticale/barley silage + barley, and 3) triticale/barley silage with inoculants and enzyme mixture + barley. There were significant differences among groups in daily live weight gain (P < 0.001). Cold carcass weight and dressing percentage based on empty body weight and carcass conformation scores were not significantly different among groups, but fatness scores and proportion of omental and mesenteric fat were significantly affected by diet (P < 0.05). No differences were found in terms of meat lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values for M. longissimus thoracis muscle. However, silage-fed lambs in both groups had higher shear force values than hay-fed lambs in the current study (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that barley/triticale silages offered with concentrate had no unfavorable effect on lamb performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.

Breed influences on in vitro development of abattoir-derived bovine oocytes

BackgroundThere is a discrepancy in the reproductive performance between different cattle breeds. Using abattoir-derived ovaries and data base information we studied the effects of breed on in vitro fertilization and early embryo development.MethodsThe in vitro developmental competence of oocytes from cattle (n = 202) of Swedish Red (SR), Swedish Holstein (SH) and mixed beef breeds was compared, retrospectively tracing donors of abattoir-derived ovaries using a combination of the national animal databases and abattoir information. Age was significantly lower and carcass conformation score was higher in the beef breeds than in the dairy breeds.Cumulus oocyte complexes (n = 1351) were aspirated from abattoir-derived ovaries from animals of known breed (visual inspection confirmed through databases), age (databases), and abattoir information. Oocytes were matured, fertilized (frozen semen from two dairy bulls) and cultured according to conventional protocols. On day 8, blastocysts were graded and the number of nuclei determined.ResultsCleavage rate was not different between the breeds but was significantly different between bulls. The percentage of blastocysts on day 8 was significantly higher when the oocyte donor’s breed was beef or SR than SH. There was no significant difference in blastocyst grades or stages between the breeds, but the number of nuclei in day 8 blastocysts was significantly lower in SH compared to the beef.ConclusionsThe use of abattoir-derived ovaries from animals whose background is traceable can be a valuable tool for research. Using this approach in the present study, oocyte donor breed was seen to affect early embryo development during in vitro embryo production, which may be a contributing factor to the declining fertility in some dairy breeds seen today.

Investigation into the presence of genotype by environment interactions (G × E) in Scottish Blackface lamb traits

Genotype by environment interactions (G×E) can form a potential source of inefficiency in animal breeding if selection decisions are made without acknowledging their effects. The presence of such interactions between two Scottish hill farms was investigated using performance data collected from 18,459 Scottish Blackface lambs between 1997 and 2010. Pedigree information was available for 27,548 animals. 30 out of 379 sires used during this time period were used on both farms. Farm A is located on the East Coast of Scotland, whereas Farm B is on the West Coast. The farms differ in a number of aspects including annual rainfall, topography, vegetation, temperature and altitude ranges, with Farm B representing a harsher environment overall. Traits studied were birth weight, 8-week weight and weaning weight, ultrasound back-fat and muscle depths at weaning, carcass weight, carcass fat grade and carcass conformation score. Genetic correlations were estimated for each trait, between the two farms, with those significantly different from 1 (P<0.05) indicating the presence of G×E. The models used fitted relevant fixed effects as well as direct and maternal genetic and permanent environmental random effects. Correlations estimated were not significantly different from 1 for all traits apart from birth weight, which had a correlation of 0.45 (s.e. 0.31). By taking G×E into account and comparing bivariate and univariate analyses, the maximum selection response observed for birth weight was 0.0016kg per generation. Overall, the lack of G×E observed for the majority of traits studied suggest that the common sire offspring have performed similarly across both farms. However, the presence of G×E associated with birth weight may have implications for lambing associated problems, or lamb survival, if sires produce lambs with unexpectedly high or low birth weights.

Carcass conformation and fat cover scores in beef cattle: a comparison of threshold linear models vs grouped data models.

BackgroundBeef carcass conformation and fat cover scores are measured by subjective grading performed by trained technicians. The discrete nature of these scores is taken into account in genetic evaluations using a threshold model, which assumes an underlying continuous distribution called liability that can be modelled by different methods.MethodsFive threshold models were compared in this study: three threshold linear models, one including slaughterhouse and sex effects, along with other systematic effects, with homogeneous thresholds and two extensions with heterogeneous thresholds that vary across slaughterhouses and across slaughterhouse and sex and a generalised linear model with reverse extreme value errors. For this last model, the underlying variable followed a Weibull distribution and was both a log-linear model and a grouped data model. The fifth model was an extension of grouped data models with score-dependent effects in order to allow for heterogeneous thresholds that vary across slaughterhouse and sex. Goodness-of-fit of these models was tested using the bootstrap methodology. Field data included 2,539 carcasses of the Bruna dels Pirineus beef cattle breed.ResultsDifferences in carcass conformation and fat cover scores among slaughterhouses could not be totally captured by a systematic slaughterhouse effect, as fitted in the threshold linear model with homogeneous thresholds, and different thresholds per slaughterhouse were estimated using a slaughterhouse-specific threshold model. This model fixed most of the deficiencies when stratification by slaughterhouse was done, but it still failed to correctly fit frequencies stratified by sex, especially for fat cover, as 5 of the 8 current percentages were not included within the bootstrap interval. This indicates that scoring varied with sex and a specific sex per slaughterhouse threshold linear model should be used in order to guarantee the goodness-of-fit of the genetic evaluation model. This was also observed in grouped data models that avoided fitting deficiencies when slaughterhouse and sex effects were score-dependent.ConclusionsBoth threshold linear models and grouped data models can guarantee the goodness-of-fit of the genetic evaluation for carcass conformation and fat cover, but our results highlight the need for specific thresholds by sex and slaughterhouse in order to avoid fitting deficiencies.

Water-holding capacity, colour stability and sensory characteristics in meat (M. longissimus dorsi) from reindeer fed two different commercial feeds

Twenty reindeer calves (age 10 months) were included in the study. They were all fed one of two different pelleted feed mixtures ad libitum for two months before slaughter. Ten calves were fed a control diet of conventional pellets (CPD) (Renfor Bas, Lantmännen, Holmsund, Sweden) and ten calves received pellets enriched with linseed cake (LPD). The reindeer were slaughtered according to standard procedure at Arvidsjaur Renslakt AB, a reindeer slaughter plant in Arvidsjaur, Sweden. At 1 day post mortem, both longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles from each carcass were excised. The left LD was used for sensory evaluation and the right LD for colour and water-holding capacity measurements. The right LD was cut in 4 pieces that were randomly allocated to storage times of 1 day, 1, 2, or 3 weeks at + 4 °C. Samples allocated for storage were vacuum packaged. Evaluation of meat colour was carried out after each of the four storage times while drip loss/purge was registered after 1, 2, and 3 weeks storage at + 4 °C. The left LD muscles were vacuum packaged, frozen at -20 °C and kept frozen until preparation for sensory evaluation. No significant differences were found in carcass quality (carcass weight, EUROP carcass conformation and fat scores), meat colour stability and water-holding capacity of LD samples when comparing the two treatment groups LPD and CPD. However, sensory panellists judged samples from LPD fed reindeer to have a tendency (not significant) to be more tender (P= 0.06) and juicy (P=0.07) than the meat samples from CPD fed reindeer. No flavour differences were found when comparing meat samples from the two treatment groups.

Kualitas Karkas Domba Lokal yang Diberi Pakan Jerami Padi Fermentasi dengan Suplementasi Minyak Kedelai

Carcass quality of local sheep fed fermented rice straws supplemented with soybean oilABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to determine if supplementation of soybean oil in the ration in order to increase conjugated linoleic acid of meat has concurrent effects on carcass characteristics and qualities of thin-tailed sheep. Sheep were fed fermented ricestraws supplemented with 0, 3 and 6% soybean oil. The experimental design used was a Randomized Completely Block Design. Eighteen sheep with initial age of 6-8 months and initial bodyweight of 17.46 ± 1.61 kg were used. The treatments consisted of soybean oil supplementation 0, 3 and 6%. Variables measured were carcass conformation, GR thickness, backfat thickness, subcutaneous fat score, and kidney and pelvic fat score. Result showed that sheep fed ration with 0 % soybean oil produced carcass with carcass conformation score of 8.50 ± 1.05, GR thickness 11.50 ± 1.05 mm, back fat thickness 2.67 ± 0.82 mm, subcutaneus fat score 3.50 ± 0.55 mm, kidney and pelvic fat score 2.00 ± 0.00. Sheep feed ration with 3% soybean oil; carcass conformation score 8.67 ± 1.21, GR thickness 11.67 ± 1.21 mm, back fat thickness 2.83 ± 0.98 mm, subcutaneus fat score 3.50 ± 0.55, kidney and pelvic fat score 1.83 ± 0.4. Sheep feed ration with 6% soybean oil; carcass conformation score 9.00 ± 1.26, GR thickness 12.50 ± 1.52 mm, back fat thickness 3.33 ± 0.82 mm, subcutaneus fat score 3.50 ± 0.55, kidney and pelvic fat score 1.83 ± 0.41. Score of carcass conformation, thickness of GR, thickness of back fat, score of subcutaneus fat, and score of kidney-pelvic fat were not influenced by supplementation of soybean oil. In conclusion, suplementation soybean oil in the ration to increase conjugetaed linoleic acid has no significant concurrent effect on carcass quality characteristics of local sheep.

Effect of weaning status on animal performance and meat quality of Rubia Gallega calves

The effect of weaning calves at different ages (NW = not weaned, W5 = 5.5 months old and W2 = weaned after being born and then fed with natural Holstein Friesian milk until 2 months old), on animal performance and carcass and Longissimus thoracis muscle quality, was studied in 36 eight month-old Rubia Gallega calves. Feed ingestions, weight gains, slaughter (SW) and carcass weights (CW), carcass conformation and fat scores, and meat characteristics (24 hours postmortem): colour, pH, water holding capacity, chemical composition and texture (Warner Bratzler (WB) test, sensory panel), were studied. NW calves showed the highest SW and CW (P < 0.001). Yellowness (b*), redness (a*) and chroma (C*) were higher in NW than W2 calves (P < 0.05). Shear firmness was higher in W2 than in NW and W5 veal. W2 veal was less elastic (P < 0.05), tender (P < 0.05) and juicy (P < 0.01) than NW and W5 veal.

Predicting beef carcass meat, fat and bone proportions from carcass conformation and fat scores or hindquarter dissection

Equations for predicting the meat, fat and bone proportions in beef carcasses using the European Union carcass classification scores for conformation and fatness, and hindquarter composition were developed and their accuracy was tested using data from 662 cattle. The animals included bulls, steers and heifers, and comprised of Holstein–Friesian, early- and late-maturing breeds × Holstein–Friesian, early-maturing × early-maturing, late-maturing × early-maturing and genotypes with 0.75 or greater late-maturing ancestry. Bulls, heifers and steers were slaughtered at 15, 20 and 24 months of age, respectively. The diet offered before slaughter includes grass silage only, grass or maize silage plus supplementary concentrates, or concentrates offered ad libitum plus 1 kg of roughage dry matter per head daily. Following the slaughter, carcasses were classified mechanically for conformation and fatness (scale 1 to 15), and the right side of each carcass was dissected into meat, fat and bone. Carcass conformation score ranged from 4.7 to 14.4, 5.4 to 10.9 and 2.0 to 12.0 for bulls, heifers and steers, respectively; the corresponding ranges for fat score were 2.7 to 11.5, 3.2 to 11.3 and 2.8 to 13.3. Prediction equations for carcass meat, fat and bone proportions were developed using multiple regression, with carcass conformation and fat score both included as continuous independent variables. In a separate series of analyses, the independent variable in the model was the proportion of the trait under investigation (meat, fat or bone) in the hindquarter. In both analyses, interactions between the independent variables and gender were tested. The predictive ability of the developed equations was assed using cross-validation on all 662 animals. Carcass classification scores accounted for 0.73, 0.67 and 0.71 of the total variation in carcass meat, fat and bone proportions, respectively, across all 662 animals. The corresponding values using hindquarter meat, fat and bone in the model were 0.93, 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. The bias of the prediction equations when applied across all animals was not different from zero, but bias did exist among some of the genotypes of animals present. In conclusion, carcass classification scores and hindquarter composition are accurate and efficient predictors of carcass meat, fat and bone proportions.

The relationship of various muscular and skeletal scores and ultrasound measurements in the live animal, and carcass classification scores with carcass composition and value of bulls

The relationships of live animal muscular and skeletal scores and ultrasound measurements and carcass conformation and fat scores with carcass composition and value were determined using 74 bulls. The animals consisted of 53 late-maturing breed crosses and 21 Holstein–Friesian slaughtered at 13 to 17 months of age. They were offered concentrates ad-libitum and 1 kg of grass silage dry matter per head daily for the final 139 day finishing period. Live animal muscular and skeletal scores and ultrasonic muscle and fat depth measurements of the M . longissimus dorsi were recorded at 8 to 12 months of age and pre-slaughter. Following slaughter, carcasses were classified for conformation and fatness and the right side of each carcass was dissected into meat, fat and bone. Carcass conformation and fat scores, (scale 1 to 15) ranged from 4.7 to 14.4 and 2.7 to 11.5, respectively. Pre-slaughter muscular scores showed significant positive correlations with kill-out proportion ( r = 0.82), carcass meat proportion ( r = 0.72), conformation score ( r = 0.94), carcass value ( r = 0.72), and the proportion of high-value meat cuts in the carcass ( r = 0.49), and significant negative correlations with carcass bone ( r = − 0.89) and fat ( r = − 0.32) proportions. The associations between pre-slaughter muscular scores and proportion of high-value cuts in meat, perinephric plus retroperitoneal fat and fat score were not significant. Corresponding correlations with muscular scores at 8 to 12 months of age were generally lower than those recorded pre-slaughter. Correlations of ultrasound muscle depth with carcass traits showed similar trends but lower values to those obtained using the muscular scoring procedure. Ultrasound fat depth pre-slaughter was positively correlated with carcass fat proportion ( r = 0.56) and fat score ( r = 0.54), and negatively correlated with carcass meat proportion, proportion of high-value cuts and carcass value. Correlations with other carcass traits were not significant. Correlations of live animal skeletal scores with carcass traits were generally non-significant. A one unit (scale 1–15) increase in carcass conformation score was associated with significant increases in kill-out proportion, meat yield and carcass value of 11.9 g/kg, 11.9 g/kg and 5.8 cent/kg, respectively. Corresponding effects for a one unit change in fat score were − 2.9 g/kg, − 11.1 g/kg and − 4.9 c/kg. In conclusion, live animal muscular scores and ultrasound measurements and carcass conformation and fat scores were shown to be useful predictors of carcass composition and value.

Intake, live animal scores/measurements and carcass composition and value of late-maturing beef and dairy breeds

The objectives of this study were to compare the progeny of 1) late-maturing beef with dairy breeds and 2) Charolais (CH), Limousin (LM), Simmental (SM) and Belgian Blue (BB) sires bred to beef suckler dams, for feed intake, blood hormones and metabolites, live animal measurements, carcass traits and carcass value in bull and steer production systems. The bull system included 50 late-maturing beef breeds and 22 Holsteins (HO) slaughtered at approximately 15 months of age, whereas the steer system consisted of 56 late-maturing beef breeds and 23 British Friesians (FR) slaughtered at approximately 24 months of age. Beef breeds were suckled until approximately 8 months of age, while dairy breeds were artificially reared until weaning at approximately 3 months of age. All animals were finished on an ad libitum concentrate diet. Mean live weight, live weight gain, carcass gain and feed efficiency were greater ( P < 0.05) in beef than dairy breeds in both systems during the finishing period when offered concentrates. Although there was no difference in feed intake between beef and dairy breeds, intake expressed relative to live weight was lower ( P < 0.001) in beef breeds in both systems. At 10 months of age and pre-slaughter, beef breeds had higher ( P < 0.001) muscularity scores and greater scanned muscle depth ( P < 0.001) than their dairy contemporaries. Carcass weight, kill-out proportion, carcass conformation score, meat proportion and value were greater ( P < 0.001) and carcass fat and bone proportions were lower ( P < 0.05) in beef than dairy breeds in both systems. Insulin concentrations were lower ( P < 0.001) in beef than dairy breeds, whereas there was no difference in blood metabolites or IGF-1 concentrations. Feed intake expressed relative to live weight or feed efficiency did not differ between CH, LM, SM or BB sired progeny. Muscularity scores were greater ( P < 0.05) in BB than SM, whereas skeletal scores were lower ( P < 0.05) in LM than SM. Limousin had lower ( P < 0.05) carcass gain per day of age than CH and SM, whereas SM had a lower ( P < 0.05) carcass conformation score than BB and CH and a higher ( P < 0.05) carcass fat score than CH. Simmental had a lower ( P < 0.05) carcass meat proportion and a higher ( P < 0.05) carcass fat proportion than CH, LM and BB, which were similar ( P > 0.05). The improvement obtained for beef over dairy breeds in live weight gain was 12%, while the improvements in carcass gain and meat produced was 24% and 33%, respectively. This demonstrates that the importance of carcass data contributing to breed comparison studies cannot be over-emphasised.

The relationship of live animal muscular and skeletal scores, ultrasound measurements and carcass classification scores with carcass composition and value in steers

This study examined the relationship of muscular and skeletal scores and ultrasound measurements in the live animal, and carcass conformation and fat scores with carcass composition and value using 336 steers, slaughtered at 2 years of age. Live animal scores and measurements were recorded at 8 to 12 months of age and pre-slaughter. Following slaughter, each carcass was classified for conformation and fatness and the right side dissected into meat, fat and bone. Carcass conformation scores and fat scores were both measured on a continuous 15-point scale and ranged from 2.0 to 12.0 and from 2.8 to 13.3, respectively. Pre-slaughter muscular scores showed positive correlations (P < 0.001) ranging from 0.31 to 0.86 with carcass meat proportion, proportion of high-value cuts in the carcass, conformation score and carcass value, significant negative correlations with carcass fat (r = −0.13) and bone (r = −0.81) proportions, and generally low non-significant relationships with the proportion of high-value cuts in meat and carcass fat score. Pre-slaughter ultrasound muscle depth and carcass conformation score showed similar correlations with carcass traits to those using the pre-slaughter muscular scoring procedure. Pre-slaughter ultrasound fat depth showed positive correlations (P < 0.001) with carcass fat proportion (r = 0.59) and fat score (r = 0.63), and significant negative correlations (−0.23 to −0.50) with carcass meat and bone proportions, high-value cuts in the carcass and in meat, and carcass value. Pre-slaughter skeletal scores generally showed poor correlations ranging from −0.38 to 0.52 with the various carcass traits. Corresponding correlations (−0.26 to 0.44) involving records collected at 8 to 12 months of age were lower than those using pre-slaughter records. A one-unit increase in carcass conformation score increased carcass meat proportion and value by 11.2 g/kg and 5.6 cents/kg, respectively. Corresponding values for fat score were −8.2 g/kg and −5.1 cents/kg. In conclusion, both pre-slaughter live animal scores/measurements and carcass classification scores, explained an appreciable amount of the total variation in carcass meat, fat and bone proportions and carcass value, and a moderate amount of the variation in proportion of high-value meat cuts in the carcass.

Intake, growth and carcass traits in male progeny of sires differing in genetic merit for beef production

Validation of economic indexes under a controlled experimental environment, can aid in their acceptance and use as breeding tools to increase herd profitability. The objective of this study was to compare intake, growth and carcass traits in bull and steer progeny of high and low ranking sires, for genetic merit in an economic index. The Beef Carcass Index (BCI; expressed in euro (€) and based on weaning weight, feed intake, carcass weight, carcass conformation and fat scores) was generated by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation as a tool to compare animals on genetic merit for the expected profitability of their progeny at slaughter. A total of 107 male suckler herd progeny, from 22 late-maturing ‘continental’ beef sires of high (n = 11) or low (n = 11) BCI were compared under either a bull or steer production system, and slaughtered at approximately 16 and 24 months of age, respectively. All progeny were purchased after weaning at approximately 6 to 8 months of age. Dry matter (DM) intake and live-weight gain in steer progeny offered grazed grass or grass silage alone, did not differ between the two genetic groups. Similarly, DM intake and feed efficiency did not differ between genetic groups during an ad libitum concentrate-finishing period on either production system. Carcasses of progeny of high BCI sires were 14 kg heavier (P < 0.05) than those of low BCI sires. In a series of regression analyses, increasing sire BCI resulted in increases in carcass weight (P < 0.01) and carcass conformation (P = 0.051) scores, and decreases in carcass fat (P < 0.001) scores, but had no effect on weaning weight or DM intake of the progeny. Each unit increase in sire expected progeny difference led to an increase in progeny weaning weight, DM intake, carcass weight, carcass conformation score and carcass fat score of 1.0 (s.e. = 0.53) kg, 1.1 (s.e. = 0.32) kg, 1.3 (s.e. = 0.31) kg, 0.9 (s.e. = 0.32; scale 1 to 15) and 1.0 (s.e. = 0.25; scale 1 to 15), respectively, none of which differed from the theoretical expectation of unity. The expected difference in profitability at slaughter between progeny of the high and low BCI sires was €42, whereas the observed phenotypic profit differential of the progeny was €53 in favour of the high BCI sires. Results from this study indicate that the BCI is a useful tool in the selection of genetically superior sires, and that actual progeny performance under the conditions of this study is within expectations for both bull and steer beef production systems.

Live animal measurements, carcass composition and plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations in male progeny of sires differing in genetic merit for beef production

In genetic improvement programmes for beef cattle, the effect of selecting for a given trait or index on other economically important traits, or their predictors, must be quantified to ensure no deleterious consequential effects go unnoticed. The objective was to compare live animal measurements, carcass composition and plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations of male progeny of sires selected on an economic index in Ireland. This beef carcass index (BCI) is expressed in euros and based on weaning weight, feed intake, carcass weight and carcass conformation and fat scores. The index is used to aid in the genetic comparison of animals for the expected profitability of their progeny at slaughter. A total of 107 progeny from beef sires of high (n = 11) or low (n = 11) genetic merit for the BCI were compared in either a bull (slaughtered at 16 months of age) or steer (slaughtered at 24 months of age) production system, following purchase after weaning (8 months of age) from commercial beef herds. Data were analysed as a 2 × 2 factorial design (two levels of genetic merit by two production systems). Progeny of high BCI sires had heavier carcasses, greater (P < 0.01) muscularity scores after weaning, greater (P < 0.05) skeletal scores and scanned muscle depth pre-slaughter, higher (P < 0.05) plasma insulin concentrations and greater (P < 0.01) animal value (obtained by multiplying carcass weight by carcass value, which was based on the weight of meat in each cut by its commercial value) than progeny of low BCI sires. Regression of progeny performance on sire genetic merit was also undertaken across the entire data set. In steers, the effect of BCI on carcass meat proportion, calculated carcass value (c/kg) and animal value was positive (P < 0.01), while a negative association was observed for scanned fat depth pre-slaughter and carcass fat proportion (P < 0.01), but there was no effect in bulls. The effect of sire expected progeny difference (EPD) for carcass weight followed the same trends as BCI. Muscularity scores, carcass meat proportion and calculated carcass value increased, whereas scanned fat depth, carcass fat and bone proportions decreased with increasing sire EPD for conformation score. The opposite association was observed for sire EPD for fat score. Results from this study show that selection using the BCI had positive effects on live animal muscularity, carcass meat proportion, proportions of high-value cuts and carcass value in steer progeny, which are desirable traits in beef production.

The effect of cereal type (barley versus oats) and rapeseed meal supplementation on the performance of growing and finishing dairy bulls offered grass silage-based diets

A 3 × 2 factorial design with growing dairy bulls offered a grass silage-based diets was used to study the effects on animal performance of (1) cereal type (flattened barley versus flattened oats) and (2) inclusion of rapeseed meal (RSM) in the diet. Two feeding trials comprised a total of 42 Finnish Ayrshire and 18 Holstein-Friesian bulls. The animals were housed in a tie-up barn and fed individually. All bulls were offered grass silage (686 g digestible organic matter in kg dry matter (DM)) ad libitum. The target for average concentrate level during the experiment was 400 g/kg DM for all treatments. Three cereal feeding treatments were flattened barley, flattened barley + flattened oats (1:1 on DM basis) and flattened oats, fed either without RSM (RSM−) or with RSM (RSM+). In the RSM− diets the crude protein (CP) content of the concentrate was 132 g/kg DM. Rapeseed meal was given so that the CP content of the concentrate was raised to 160 g/kg DM in the RSM+ diets, which increased the CP content 21% with RSM supplementation. The mean initial live weight (LW) of the bulls was 257 ± 26.6 kg and the mean final LW 687 ± 30.9 kg. Increasing the proportion of oats in the diet decreased the live weight gain (LWG) ( P < 0.05). Linearly impaired LWG was a consequence of decreased metabolizable energy intake ( P < 0.05) with increasing oats proportion. Because there was no difference in DM intake, also feed conversion efficiency (kg DM/kg LWG) reduced ( P < 0.05) with increasing oats proportion. There were no effects of treatments on the dressing proportion, carcass conformation score or carcass fat score. The RSM supplement had no effect on performance parameters, and there were no significant cereal type x RSM interactions for any of the measured parameters. In conclusion, the LWG and feed conversion of growing dairy bulls reduced with increasing oats proportion. Since rapeseed meal did not affect animal performance, there is no reason to use RSM for finishing dairy bulls when they are fed good-quality grass silage and grain-based concentrate.

Carcaça e carne de novilhos cruzas Pardo Suíço x Canchim e Purunã x Canchim terminados em confinamento

O trabalho teve os objetivos de avaliar o desempenho em confinamento e as características da carcaça e da carne de novilhos inteiros dos grupos genéticos ½ Pardo Suíço + ½ Canchim (1B1C), ½ Purunã + ½ Canchim (1P1C) e ¾ Purunã + ¼ Canchim (3P1C). Foram utilizados 23 novilhos inteiros com idade média de 22 meses, que permaneceram confinados por 145 dias. O aumento da proporção de genes Purunã na composição racial dos animais de 50% para 75% no cruzamento com Canchim resultou em incrementos de peso no abate (PA) e de ganho de peso (GMD) de 10,6 e, 12,1%, respectivamente. Os animais 1B1C apresentaram PA e GMD semelhantes aos animais 3P1C e superiores aos animais 1P1C. O consumo de matéria seca (MS) e o GMD não diferiram entre animais dos grupos 1B1C e 3P1C, ambos apresentando consumo e GMD superiores aos dos animais 1P1C (8,87; 7,97 e 7,02kg de MS animal-1 dia-1, e, 1,62; 1,41 e 1,58kg animal-1 dia-1, respectivamente). Animais 1B1C e 3P1C apresentaram carcaças 12,1% mais pesadas que os animais 1P1C. A conformação da carcaça dos animais 1B1C foi superior (15,0 pontos) em relação aos 1P1C e 3P1C (13,2 e 13,6 pontos, respectivamente). Animais 1B1C e 3P1C demonstraram valores similares para marmoreio da carne (7,5 e 6,6 pontos, respectivamente), e superiores em relação ao 1P1C (4,8 pontos). A produção de animais F1 Pardo Suíço x Canchin é mais interessante ao produtor, devido à maior velocidade de ganho de peso e maior peso de carcaça, ao frigorífico, por obter carcaças de melhor conformação e grau de acabamento, e ao consumidor, por apresentar maior grau de marmorização da carne e textura mais fina.

Effect of feeding system on growth and carcass characteristics of Churra Tensina light lambs

Forty-eight single male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of feeding systems on carcass characteristics and fat depots of Churra Tensina light lambs. Four treatments were studied: GR, lambs and ewes were continuously grazing, no concentrate was available to them and lambs were unweaned; GR+S, as the previous one, but additionally lambs had free access to concentrate; DRL−GRE, lambs remained indoors with free access to concentrate and ewes grazed during 8 h a day, thereafter remaining with lambs; DRL, lambs and ewes were kept always in confinement, ewes had free access to dry unifeed and lambs to concentrate. In DRL−GRE and DRL lambs were weaned at 45 days old. When lambs reached 22–24 kg of live-weight they were slaughtered. Feeding system had effect on growth rates ( p < 0.05), age ( p < 0.001) and live-weight at slaughter ( p < 0.01), carcass weight ( p < 0.001), dressing percentage ( p < 0.001), fatness thickness ( p < 0.01) as well as on the subjective classification parameters, as carcass conformation score ( p < 0.001), fatness degree ( p < 0.01) and KKCF score ( p < 0.01), having the GR lambs lower values than the rest of treatments. Nevertheless, carcasses from grazing animals were classified within the normal ranges for Ternasco commercial category similar to drylot systems. Treatment had effect on pelvic ( p < 0.01) and carcass compactness ( p < 0.001) being GR carcasses less well conformed. Feeding system affected the total body fat depots ( p < 0.01), presenting GR the lowest amount. In all treatments, carcass fat depot was greater than internal fat depots (abdominal, pelvic and renal) ( p < 0.05). Grazing treatments (GR and GR+S) presented higher proportion of anterior-rib and lower proportion of breast in relation to indoor lambs (DRL−GRE and DRL). The feeding system did not affect the proportion of first category of commercial meat. It was concluded that light lamb carcass characteristics were slightly affected by the feeding systems, being carcasses from grazing lambs classified within the normal ranges for Ternasco commercial category, similarly to drylot systems. The small differences among the products of different feeding systems had no commercial constraint in the light lamb meat market.

Performance of spring-calving beef suckler cows and their progeny to slaughter on intensive and extensive grassland management systems

The performance of rotationally grazed beef suckler cows and their progeny to slaughter on two lowland grassland management systems differing in stocking rate (SR) and fertiliser nitrogen (N) level was compared over eight years. The two Systems were 1) Intensive (INT): SR of 0.56 (bull production) or 0.71 (steer production) ha cow − 1 unit, 211 kg fertiliser N ha − 1 , two silage harvests, and 2) Extensive (EXT): SR of 0.69 (bull production) or 0.88 (steer production) ha cow − 1 unit, 97 kg fertiliser N ha − 1 and one staggered silage harvest. A cow unit was defined as a cow plus progeny to slaughter. On the silage harvesting area, the mean application rate for fertiliser N was 110 and 80 kg ha − 1 for first and second harvests, respectively. Herbage dry matter digestibility both pre- and post-grazing was similar ( P > 0.05) for the two systems, whereas herbage crude protein concentrations were generally significantly lower for the EXT than the INT system. There was no difference ( P > 0.05) between the Systems in cow live weight, body condition score or their changes or in calf live weight gain from birth to weaning. Post-weaning, live weight gain, slaughter weight, carcass weight, kill-out proportion, estimated carcass gain, carcass conformation score or carcass fat score did not differ ( P > 0.05) between the systems for heifer, steer or bull progeny. It can be concluded that similar animal performance levels can be expected in an extensive grassland-based suckler calf-to-beef system compatible with the EU, Rural Environmental Protection Scheme as that attained in a more intensive System comprising of both a moderately high SR (~ 1.25 higher) and fertiliser N application (~ 2.1 higher).

Effects of concentrate feeding systems, genotype and sex on productive performance and meat quality of Norwegian lambs

Two factorial experiments, I and II, were carried out in this study using 84 lambs (140±1.24 days old, 40.00±0.75 kg live weight) divided into six groups. Two levels of concentrate supplementation; restricted (0.4 kg concentrate/lamb/day) or ad libitum, two breed types; Norwegian White lamb or Nor-X and two sex types; ram or ewe lambs, were investigated. In experiment I, a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments (level of supplementation, sex, and breed) was imposed whereas a 2×2 arrangement of treatments (level of supplementation and breeds) was studied in Experiment II. Each of the two experiments lasted for four weeks. Lambs on ad libitum access to concentrate grew at 231 g d–1 and 125 g d–1 faster than those on restricted access in Experiment I and II, respectively. Moreover, ram lambs grew at 64 g d–1 faster than ewe lambs. Lambs on ad libitum access to concentrate had about 5 kg heavier carcasses than that on restricted access. Ewe and ram lambs on ad libitum allowance to concentrate had 4.2 kg and 5.6 kg, respectively, higher carcass weight than those on restricted allowance. The two levels of concentrate supplementation had limited effects on the meat sensory qualities. Meat taste intensity increased with level of concentrate supplementation. Difference in meat tenderness between ram and ewe lambs was only evidenced on ad libitum concentrate feeding. Irrespective of stage of growth (Experiment I vs. II) and concentrate supplementation level, Nor-X lambs were superior to Norwegian White lambs with respect to carcass conformation scores. Based on results from sensory assessments of meat, ram lambs should be slaughtered before October to avoid off-flavour on meat.

The value of muscular and skeletal scores in the live animal and carcass classification scores as indicators of carcass composition in cattle

The objective was to determine the relationship of muscular and skeletal scores taken on the live animal and carcass conformation and fat scores with carcass composition and value. Bulls (n = 48) and heifers (n = 37) of 0.75 to 1.0 late-maturing breed genotypes slaughtered at 16 and 20 months of age, respectively, were used. At 8 months of age (weaning) and immediately pre-slaughter, visual muscular scores were recorded for each animal and additionally skeletal scores were recorded pre-slaughter. Carcass weight, kidney and channel fat weight, carcass conformation and fat scores, fat depth over the longissimus dorsi muscle at the 12th (bulls) or 10th (heifers) rib and carcass length were recorded post-slaughter. Each carcass was subsequently dissected into meat, fat and bone using a commercial dissection procedure. Muscular scores taken pre-slaughter showed positive correlations with killing-out rate (r ≈ 0.65), carcass meat proportion (r ≈ 0.60), value (r ≈ 0.55) and conformation score (r ≈ 0.70), and negative correlations with carcass bone (r ≈ −0.60) and fat (r ≈ −0.4) proportions. Corresponding correlations with muscular scores at weaning were lower. Correlations of skeletal scores taken pre-slaughter, carcass length and carcass weight with killing-out rate and the various carcass traits were mainly not significant. Carcass fat depth and kidney and channel fat weight were negatively correlated with carcass meat proportion and value, and positively correlated with fat proportion. Correlations of carcass conformation score were positive (r = 0.50 to 0.68) with killing-out rate, carcass meat proportion and carcass value and negative with bone (r ≈ −0.56) and fat (r ≈ −0.40) proportions. Corresponding correlations with carcass fat score were mainly negative except for carcass fat proportion (r ≈ 0.79). A one-unit (scale 1 to 15) increase in carcass conformation score increased carcass meat proportion by 8.9 and 8.1 g/kg, decreased fat proportion by 4.0 and 2.9 g/kg and decreased bone proportion by 4.9 and 5.2 g/kg in bulls and heifers, respectively. Corresponding values per unit increase in carcass fat score were −11.9 and −9.7 g/kg, 12.4 and 9.9 g/kg, and −0.5 and −0.2 g/kg. Carcass conformation and fat scores explained 0.70 and 0.55 of the total variation in meat yield for bulls and heifers, respectively. It is concluded that live animal muscular scores, and carcass conformation and fat scores, are useful indicators of carcass meat proportion and value.

Colour differences among carcasses graded with similar score for conformation and fatness

In a population of 268 yearling bulls, those carcasses graded as U−, U0 or U+ for beef carcass conformation (n = 240) and those graded as 2−, 20 or 2+ for beef carcass fatness (n = 213) were selected to study the efficiency of carcass weight, carcass dimensions and instrumental colour of latissimus dorsi, rectusabdominis and subcutaneous fat, to discriminate among these carcass grades, in a population of high-muscled and very lean carcasses from young bulls. The increase in conformation grade meant an increase in carcass weight and perimeter of the leg. Classifiers use attributes characterizing muscular development and carcass profiles from a general impression of the whole carcass. There were no significant differences for carcass weight or carcass dimensions, among the carcasses classified according to the three fat classes. The a* and b* coordinate values for the latissimus dorsi muscle were observed to decrease significantly as the carcass conformation score increased (P < 0.05). However, muscle and subcutaneous fat of fatter carcasses showed higher a*, b* colour coordinates and chroma (C*) values than leaner carcasses. The CIE (Commission International de l’Éclairage) L*, a* and b* colour coordinate measurements taken on the carcasses 45 min post mortem varied significantly from the readings taken after hanging for 24 h (P < 0,001). The higher a* and b* values on the carcasses chilled for 24 h could be caused by oxygenation of both subcutaneous fat, and latissimusdorsi and rectusabdominis muscles in the time elapsing after slaughter and after carcass exposition to circulating air in the cooler for 24 h. Lightness of the latissimus dorsi muscle underwent a decrease, compared with an increase in the rectusabdominis muscle. Hardening of the subcutaneous fat during cold storage may exert an influence on the decrease in lightness observed. These differences in carcass colour during chilling storage would suggest that the relationship between carcass colour and conformation grades was higher shortly after slaughter. Both L* colour coordinate of fat colour (P < 0.01) and a*, b* and C* colour coordinates of latissimus dorsi muscle (P < 0.05) were related to conformation classification. Colour was more efficient to differentiate conformation than fat cover classes. Sixty-two percent of carcasses were correctly classified for conformation by colour differences but only 37% of carcasses were correctly classified for fatness by colour.