EFEITO DO GRUPO GENÉTICO E DO PESO DE ABATE SOBRE MENSURAÇÕES NA CARCAÇA

Abstract

Sixty bulls, 14 Mediterranean crossbred buffaloes (BUF), 16 Nellore (NEL), 16 F1 Holstein-Nellore (HN) and 14 ¼ Fleckvieh-5/16 Angus-7/16 Nellore (DC) were used in this experiment. Animals from each genetic group were randomly divided into four slaughter categories so that each animal had representatives in the other three groups. One category was slaughtered immediately (AB), two were fed ad libitum a 1:1 concentrate : roughage ration until they reached slaughter weights of 450kg for BUF and NEL; 500kg for HN and DC (I); 500kg for BUF and NEL and 550kg for HN and DC (II); the remaining category was fed a restricted amount of the same ration to supply levels of energy and protein 15% above maintenance (AR). AR animals were slaughtered when corresponding category I animals reached expected slaughter weight. There were no differences between genetic groups regarding to loin eye area expressed as the percentage of empty body weight. Buffaloes showed greater back fat thickness than cattle. Category II animals showed lower relative carcass length than the other categories, indicating a more compact carcass.