Production, carcass and meat quality traits of Hereford, Charolais and Hereford×Charolais bulls offered grass silage-grain-based rations and slaughtered at high carcass weights

Abstract

The objective of the experiment was to study performance and meat quality aspects of pure-bred Hereford (Hf) and Charolais (Ch) bulls and Hf×Ch cross-bred bulls offered grass silage-grain-based rations and raised to heavy carcass weights (CWs). The average slaughter age for all breeds was 565 days and the mean CWs for Hf, Hf×Ch and Ch bulls were 414, 476 and 507 kg, respectively. The Ch bulls tended to achieve higher weight gains, produce less fat and had a higher percentage of valuable cuts in comparison with Hf bulls. Breed group had no significant effects on the beef flavour of Musculus longissimus lumborum, but tenderness and juiciness were better in the meat of Hf bulls than that of Ch bulls. The cross-bred Hf×Ch bulls produced heavier and better conformed carcasses compared to pure Hf bulls which indicate that this type of cross-breeding can enhance beef production under the conditions studied.

Keywords:

• Beef production
• breeds
• bulls
• carcass characteristics
• eating quality
• growth

Acknowledgements

This study was partially funded by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Northern Ostrobothnia. We thank Mr Lauri Jauhiainen for his advice on the statistical analyses. We also express our gratitude to Mr Mikko Piippo and Mrs Jaana Piippo for their technical assistance and excellent care of the experimental animals. The personnel of the Lihakunta Slaughterhouse in Kuopio and the staff of the Finnish Meat Research Institute in Hämeenlinna are thanked for their help in slaughter procedures and meat evaluation.