Growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of bulls and heifers slaughtered at different ages

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effects of sex and slaughter age on growth, feed intake, carcass composition and meat quality attributes of musculus longissimus lumborum were investigated in Charolais × Simmental bulls (n = 12) and heifers (n = 12) reared and finished under identical management conditions. The animals entered the experiment at similar age (251 days) and were slaughtered at 14 or 18 months of age. Bulls gained more rapidly (P < 0.001), consumed more dry matter daily (P < 0.05), and had a higher killing-out proportion (P < 0.05). The sex × slaughter age interaction was significant (P < 0.01) for feed conversion ratio, which deteriorated markedly more in heifers than in bulls as slaughter age increased. Bulls produced leaner carcasses with a higher proportion of total meat (P < 0.001). While bulls contributed to high-priced meat by a higher proportion of meat from the shoulder (P < 0.01), heifers had higher proportions of meat from the rump and loin (P < 0.05). Older animals were generally fatter and their carcasses contained lower proportions of high-priced meat (P < 0.01) and bones (P < 0.05). Bulls exhibited lower contents of dry matter (P < 0.001), protein (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat (P < 0.001), and a higher content of collagen (P < 0.001) in musculus longissimus lumborum than hei-fers. The meat from heifers was assessed by the sensory panel as more tender and, when aged for 11 days, more acceptable than the meat from bulls. Older animals obtained higher scores for beef flavour intensity (P < 0.01), tenderness (P < 0.001), juiciness (P < 0.05), and overall acceptance (P < 0.001).

Effect of gender on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat and fat quality of calves of Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed fattened under free-range conditions

“…A higher growth for entire males compared to females has been well documented in previous studies (Link et al, 2007;Bures & Barton, 2012;Daza et al, 2012). Other authors (Casas & Cundiff, 2006) also observed a faster growth in castrated males than in females.…”

“…These variables are affected by breed, gender, age, weight at slaughter and feeding system (Albertí et al, 2008;Bures & Barton, 2012). Some previous experiments have studied the gender effect on growth performance and carcass quality of Avileña-Negra Ibérica calves fattened in conf inement with straw and concentrates Daza et al, 2012).…”

Body size, carcass and meat quality of three commercial beef categories of ‘Serrana de Teruel’ breed

“…Hence, it is often reported that bulls have greater ADG than steers (Purchas et al, 2002;Keane, 2003;Bureš & Barton, 2012). However, steers and bulls of the present study showed statistically the same ADG.…”

“…However, steers and bulls of the present study showed statistically the same ADG. Related to this, difference of age at slaughter between young bulls and bulls was not enough to modify the ADG according to Kirkland et al (2006) and Bureš & Barton (2012). Only steers had lower ADG than young bulls due to the concomitant effects of age and castration.…”

Comparison of organoleptic quality and composition of beef from suckler bulls from different production systems

“…However, incorporating a grazing period would also likely increase the age at slaughter which may negatively influence the sensory characteristics of beef, especially tenderness (Sinclair et al, 1998, Bures andBarton, 2012). Alterations in the appearance or sensory characteristics of bull beef produced in this way could have a negative impact on the attractiveness of the beef to consumers accustomed to beef from the "traditional" production system.…”