Slaughter performances, body composition and carcass traits of indigenous Algerian cattle "Brune de l'Atlas"

Abstract

The present study consists of an assessment of the slaughter performance, body composition, and carcass traits of 51 native Algerian bulls 'Brune de l'Atlas' belonging to four ecotypes, aged 1 to 2 years, and fattened for a period of 4 to 6 months. Its main objective is to provide an estimate of the mean parameters related to meat production in terms of quantity and quality, including live weight and body composition, slaughter yield, conformation, fatness, and fineness of carcasses. The average live weight is 366.56±92.56 kg. The average true and commercial dressing percentages are 60.11±11.09% and 56.1±10.04%, respectively. The studied animals produce lean carcasses with a low proportion of body fat. The fattening index and the score of the fattening state are 5.9±3.86% and 14.81±7.67, respectively, and the score of the fattening state is 1.85±0.83. As for the carcass conformation, it is relatively insignificant. The thigh compactness index is 4.82±1.59, the carcass compactness index is 1.55±0.37, the buttock compactness index is 0.69±0.02, and the average EUROP carcass classification score is 1.86±1.04 (≈O class). Significant positive correlations were found between body live weight and carcass weight, 5th quarter and carcass conformation, and negative correlations with slaughter yield and body fineness. These results showed an interesting level of slaughter performance of the local Algerian cattle population. The latter could contribute to satisfying the growing demand for red meat and reducing the costs of red meats imports through the improved valuation of its butchering performance by implementing genetic, nutritional, and other management practices improvements.