Live weight, body size and carcass characteristics of young bulls of fifteen European breeds.

摘要

Live wt., live wt. gain, body measurements and carcass traits were compared in 15 western European cattle breeds, including beef, dairy and local types from 5 countries. All animals were reared indoors and given an ad libidum diet based on concentrate and straw from 9 to 15 months of age, after which they were slaughtered. 15 carcass variables were then determined, including EU classification scores, carcass wt., morphological measurements and dissection data. Significant differences between breeds were found for all variables, but the distinctions between body size and carcass traits were greater than those between daily gain and live wt. Analysis of carcass traits and body size allowed the cattle breeds to be grouped as follows: local and dairy breeds (Casina, Jersey, Holstein, Highland and Danish Red), which were poorly muscled and had a high to medium degree of fatness; specialized beef breeds (Asuriana de los Valles, Limousin, South Devon, Piemontese, Aberdeen Angus, Pirenaica and Charolais), with high muscularity and low to medium fatness; and intermediate breeds (Simmental, Marchigiana and Avilena), with intermediate muscle conformation and fatness level. It is suggested that these results will assist in the implementation of breeding strategies to meet the demands of the European beef market.