The trend of body tissues share of Simmental cattle in about twenty years period

Abstract

This work investigated the bone, muscle and fat tissue shares in Simmental breed. The trial comprised 917 young bulls, progeny of 81 sires, during the period of 18 years. Sires were in their progeny testing for meat production traits. Average young bulls final body weight was 557.73±1.78kg in range between 385 and 729kg. Average body tissue share was as follows: bone 19.21±0.10%, muscle 61.91±0.15% and fat 14.13±0.11%. Significant (P<0.001) phenotypic correlations existed between final body weight and share of muscle (0.34) and fat (0.16), and between shares of bone and muscle (-0.13), bone and fat (-0.42) and muscle and fat (-0.28). Trend of increase in final body weight, muscle and bone share followed by slight decrease of fat share in investigated period was noted. It is suggested that was due to selection of large and robust sires.

Key words:

• Simmental cattle
• Meat
• Body composition