Carcass characteristics of Puruna vs. 1/2 Canchim cattle slaughtered at 16 or 22 months with three different concentrate levels

摘要

The aim of this work was to evaluate cattle performance 1/2 Puruna vs. 1/2 Canchim super early or early, supplemented with three different concentrate levels. The experiment was conducted at model farm on experimental station of Instituto Agronomico do Parana - Iapar, located at Ponta Grossa city at Parana estate in Brazil. 97 male non castrated V2 Puruna vs. 1/2 Canchim were used. Cattle were allocated according to the finishing system (Super early - SUP - 16 months old or Early - EAR -22 months old) on three different concentrate 'supplementation levels (0,8; 1,2 e 1,6% regarding to live weight). Hot carcass weight (HCW) were similar (P>0,05) between both finishing systems. The hot carcass dressing (HCD) for SUP (55,14%) regarding to EAR (53,78%). Carcass length (CLE), marbling and bone percentage were lower (P>0,05) (128,88 cm, 5,03 points e 14,66%) for SUP cattle regarding to EAR (132,10 cm, 5,88 points e 15,27%). However, Longissimus area (LA) was higher (P<0,05) (72,03 cm~2) for SUP cattle regarding to EAR cattle (68,30 cm~2). The leg length (LLE), cushion thickness (CTH), fat thickness (FAT), conformation (CON), color (COL), texture (TEX), muscle percent and fat percent were similar (P>0,05) between the two finishing systems. HCD was similar (P>0,05) for the three concentrate levels. The same way, the concentrate levels had no effect (P>0,05) over carcass characteristics. Due the higher weight gain of steers finished in SUP system and FBW not different between both systems, so the shorter confinement allows that there are less food-related expenses due the shorter termination.