Abstract. The aim of the study was to test the influence of breed, grazing system and concentrate level on fattening performance, carcass value and meat quality of steers.Ninety-six German Simmental and German Holstein steers were fattened using two different grazing systems: continuous grazing system (CGS) and rotational grazing system (RGS). They were supplemented with medium (M) or low (L) concentrate levels. The trial period involved 22 months divided into four phases: phase 1 (indoor), 2 (grazing), 3 (indoor vs. outdoor) and 4 (grazing). In phases 1 and 3 the animals were offered grass silage ad libitum. All animals were supplied with concentrate during phase 1. In phases 3 and 4 the animals were supplied with M or L. Group M consumed a total of 275 kg and group L 191 kg concentrate per steer.German Simmental steers were significantly superior in all essential parameters of the fattening performance and the carcass value (e.g. final weight: 631 kg vs. 608 kg). German Holstein steers showed better meat quality (intramuscular fat content, tenderness, meat colour) than German Simmental steers. The impact of the grazing system was only for a few parameters (carcass weight, dressing percentage and fat colour). The CGS showed higher grazing yield and higher content of nutrients than the RGS, as a consequence, CGS steers presented heavier carcass weight than RGS steers. Concentrate levels had no effects on the evaluated parameters.
Abstract. The study is aimed at determining the effect of breed (German Simmental vs. German Holstein), grazing system (continuous grazing system [CGS] vs. rotational grazing system [RGS]) and concentrate supplementation (level and type of concentrate) on the fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle and kidney fat of steers. The trial involved four phases: in P1 all animals remained indoors; in P2 and P4 they were allocated on CGS or RGS; during P3 one group remained outdoors, the other indoors. In P1 and P3 the steers were offered grass silage and concentrate. In P3 the indoors group received a supplement with a medium or low-concentrate level. For the last 28 days of P4 the steers were offered a concentrate type with 4.9 % linseed oil or with 1.0 % rapeseed oil. CGS-pasture resulted in higher fatty acid values than RGS-pasture; linseed-oil concentrate resulted in higher ALA, Σn-3 and lower LA, Σn-6 than rapeseed-oil concentrate. German Simmental breed had lower IMF-content and higher Σn-3, Σn-6, n-6/n-3 ratio and PUFA/SFA ratio in longissimus dorsi and kidney fat than German Holstein breed. The proportion of CLA was higher in German Holstein breed than in German Simmental breed (0.56 vs. 0.50 g/100 g FAME). RGS group showed lower ALA and higher n-6/n-3 in longissimus dorsi and kidney fat than CGS-group. Neither the level nor the type of concentrate affected the LD and kidney fat fatty acids. Healthy fatty acids levels were higher in the German Holstein breed meat. The CGS-group meat had higher contents of ALA and EPA. However, the legal requirements for human nutrition and other health related claims could not be met.
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