Performance, carcass and meat quality traits of grazing cattle with different exit velocity

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1752 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Della Rosa ◽  
E. Pavan ◽  
S. Maresca ◽  
M. Spetter ◽  
F. Ramiro

To evaluate the effect of grazing cattle temperament on performance, as well as carcass and meat quality traits, exit velocity (EV) was assessed throughout two production cycles (PC1, n = 38 and PC2, n = 52). Individual EV determinations were assessed throughout each PC and then 100-days period averages were calculated for each animal. Animals were ranked based on their EV (EV-RANK) in the first 100-days period as SLOW, FAST and MEDIUM. The EV decreased from weaning to slaughter in FAST and MEDIUM (P < 0.05); but did not change in SLOW (P > 0.10). Initial liveweight was lowest in FAST and highest in MEDIUM (P = 0.03). DM intake (P = 0.08) and average daily gain (P = 0.94) were not affected by EV-RANK, but carcass subcutaneous fat thickness was lowest in FAST and highest in MEDIUM (P = 0.02). Longissimus muscle colour and shear-force were not affected by EV-RANK (P > 0.05), but muscle glycogen content at slaughter was higher in MEDIUM than in SLOW or FAST (P = 0.047). No EV-RANK effects were observed in the present study on meat colour and shear-force. However, its effects on subcutaneous fat thickness and muscle glycogen could result in low meat quality of temperamental cattle under more stressful handling situations.

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 954
Author(s):  
Muammer Sarıbey ◽  
Serhat Karaca

The present study determined the effects of pre-slaughter ascorbic acid administration on some physiological indicators and meat quality traits of road transport-stressed lambs and kids. Eighteen lambs and 18 kids were divided into the following three groups: no transportation (T0), 3-h transportation (T3), and ascorbid acid administered at 125 mg/kg before 3-h transportation (T3+C). The liveweight loss and rectal temperature were similar, while there were significant differences among groups for some biochemical parameters in both lambs and kids. Glucose concentrations significantly increased after transportation in lambs (P = 0.005) and kids (P < 0.001). Ascorbic acid had significant effects on serum glucose of lambs. T3 lambs had higher glucose concentrations than did T0 lambs (P < 0.001), while T0 and T3+C lambs were found to have similar concentrations. Oxidative status in lambs and kids, as determined by serum malondialdehyde concentration, did not differ among groups. However, some meat quality traits were negatively influenced by transportation. T3 lambs had a significantly lower muscle glycogen concentration than did T0 and T3+C lambs (P = 0.018), while ultimate pH was similar among groups. Muscle glycogen concentration was significantly lower (P = 0.008) and ultimate pH was higher in T3 and T3+C kids (P = 0.028). T3 and T3+C groups had darker meat (L*) than did T0 groups both in lambs and kids, whereas a*, cooking loss and water-holding capacity were similar among groups. The effect of ascorbic acid on meat toughness was significant and shear force value in T0 lambs was lower than that in T3 lambs (P = 0.009), while T0 and T3+C lambs were found to have similar shear force values. Overall, the administration of ascorbic acid to lambs before transportation could partly reduce the adverse effects of road transportation stress, whereas its effects on kids were found to be insignificant.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
María Moreno Díaz ◽  
Valeriano Domenech García ◽  
Carmen Avilés Ramírez ◽  
Francisco Peña Blanco ◽  
Francisco Requena Domenech ◽  
...  

Finishing diets in intensive beef production systems are mainly based on cereals, which does not take advantage of the capacity of the ruminant digestive system to digest fibrous feeds, cannot be considered sustainable and does not contribute to the circular bioeconomy. Our aim was to investigate the effects of an alternative concentrate rich in agro-industrial by-products for finishing crossbred Limousine heifers. Four pens with 12 heifers and four pens with 13 heifers were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: control (CON), a commercial concentrate with a 43.3% cereal composition, and alternative (ALT), a concentrate with a composition of 22% cereals and 73.5% agro-industrial by-products. Growth performance data were collected along the 91 days of the experimental period. Carcass characteristics were collected after slaughter and 24 h later. Vacuum-packaged samples from longissimus muscle were aged for 7, 21 or 28 days to study meat quality traits. Feed intake was higher and feed conversion rate was poorer in the ALT treatment, but no differences were found in average daily gain and feeding costs. Treatment had no effects on any of the measured carcass traits (grading, hot and cold carcass weight, dressing out, chilling losses, subcutaneous fat depth, pH, temperature and lean and fat colour) nor on the meat quality traits (drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, oxidative stability, chromatic indices and pigment contents). Ageing time decreased drip loss and shear force, increased lightness and did not affect redness or surface colour stability. In conclusion, feeding crossbred Limousine heifers a finishing diet rich in agro-industrial by-products did not have any negative effects on performance, carcass and meat quality traits, which might be considered positive from the point of view of sustainability of beef production. Under the conditions assayed, ageing for 21 and 28 days improved tenderness of meat, without detrimental effects on oxidative stability or traits related to visual acceptability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 1175-1188
Author(s):  
Lucy Mery Antonia Surita ◽  
Marina de Nadai Bonin Gomes ◽  
Brayan Dias Dauria ◽  
Rodrigo da Costa Gomes ◽  
Marilia Williane Filgueira Pereira ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on meat quality of crossbred heifers. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of carcasses and meat of 148 crossbred heifers with an average age of 13 months and 407.5 ± 29.22 kg body weight at slaughter were performed. After cooling for 24 h, the carcasses were evaluated for hot carcass weight, pH, conformation, physiological maturity, finishing, fat distribution, and length. Characteristics, such as pH, color, marbling, exudation, as well as cooking losses, percentage of ether extract, and shear force were evaluated in meat at time zero and after seven days of aging. The carcasses displayed satisfactory results for parameters such as pH at 24 h of cooling (pH24), finishing, distribution of fat, and subcutaneous fat thickness (5.58, 3.27, 2.40, and 6.62 mm, respectively). The meat had a low marbling score (5.08) and percentage of ether extract (1.71), indicating that the meat was relatively lean. Exudation and cooking losses showed similar results at zero and seven days of aging. The meat subjected to seven days of aging showed higher lightness and hue (40.98 and 0.77, respectively) and tenderness of 5.25 kg. These results indicated that aging affected meat color and shear force parameters; the meat of cross-heifers was softer but less red after maturation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
Ryley J Vanderhout ◽  
Michelle Yahiro ◽  
Benjamin Wood ◽  
Shai Barbut ◽  
Jeff S Mohr ◽  
...  

Abstract Genetic selection for improved meat quality traits has been successfully implemented in many livestock species. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of several meat quality traits to assess their selection potential in turkeys. Pedigree toms (n = 1,033) were processed at a commercial facility and live weight, breast meat yield (as a percentage of live weight), ultimate pH, color (CIELAB values), drip loss, cooking loss, and shear force were recorded on M. pectoralis superficialis (fillet). White striping was also rated on a 1–4 scale. Heritabilities were estimated using univariate animal models in ASReml version 4.1. Hatch week and age at slaughter were included as fixed effects in the mode,l and 32 generations of pedigree records were used. Breast meat yield (h2 = 0.62; SE = 0.090) showed the highest heritability and was higher compared to previous estimates, probably due to the smaller sample size. Live weight (h2 = 0.31; SE = 0.078), ultimate pH (h2 = 0.36; SE = 0.087), lightness (h2 = 0.28; SE = 0.086), redness (h2 = 0.22; SE = 0.075), and white striping score (h2 = 0.27; SE = 0.085) all had moderate heritabilities. The estimate for ultimate pH was similar to previous studies in broilers but was high compared to previous studies in turkeys. Estimates for color were similar to those found in previous studies involving turkeys. Drip loss and cooking loss had similar heritability estimates of 0.13 (SE = 0.071) and 0.10 (SE = 0.064), respectively, which were akin to previous estimates in pork. Shear force (h2 = 0.02; SE = 0.056) was found to have a very low heritability. In conclusion, the heritability estimates provided in this study show great potential for the inclusion of meat quality traits in selection programs of turkeys. This study is part of a larger project working towards the implementation of genomic information in the selection of turkeys for improved meat quality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Djurkin Kušec ◽  
G. Kušec ◽  
R. Vuković ◽  
E. Has-Schön ◽  
G. Kralik

The study was carried out on 89 Pig Improvement Co. (PIC) pig carcasses, with the aim to investigate the differences between three CAST loci in carcass and meat-quality traits, as well as chemical composition of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. The differences among genotypes at CAST/HinfI locus were significant in all carcass traits measured, where AB genotype exhibited preferable values in carcass lengths, ham length, muscle thickness, loin eye area, fat thickness and fat area. Among meat-quality traits analysed, genotypes at CAST/HinfI locus differed in pH45 in SM muscle, both pH24 in semimembranosus (SM) and LD muscles, as well as luminosity; genotypes at CAST/MspI differed in pH24 and EC24 measured at LD muscle and in red colour intensity, level of yellowness and hue angle; while genotypes at CAST/RsaI differed in pH45 and EC45 in SM muscle, pH24 in LD muscle, paleness and redness, as well as in shear force and calpain activity. EF genotype at this locus exhibited the highest pH values and the lowest CIE L*, with more pronounced red colour, but also highest shear force and lowest calpain activity values. Furthermore, significant differences in chemical composition of LD muscle were found only among genotypes at CAST/RsaI loci, where FF genotype had the lowest intramuscular fat and the highest relative share of protein.


2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meridy J. Kadel ◽  
David J. Johnston ◽  
Heather M. Burrow ◽  
Hans-U. Graser ◽  
Drewe M. Ferguson

Flight time, an objective measure of temperament, was recorded in 3594 Brahman, Belmont Red, and Santa Gertrudis heifers and steers. Two subjective measures of temperament (crush score and flight speed score) were also available for over 2000 of these animals. Temperament measures were recorded post-weaning (average age 8 months) and again at the start of finishing (average age 19 months) on a subset of the animals. Nine meat quality traits were measured on these animals and included measures on 2 different muscles [M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and M. semitendinosus (ST)]. The heritability of flight time measured post-weaning and at the start of finishing was 0.30 and 0.34, respectively, with a repeatability of 0.46 across the measurement times. Heritabilities for scored temperament traits were 0.21, 0.19, and 0.15 for post-weaning flight speed score, post-weaning crush score, and start of finishing crush score, respectively. Genetic correlations across measurement times for flight time were 0.98 and 0.96 for crush score, indicating a strong underlying genetic basis of these temperament measures over time; however, the corresponding phenotypic correlations were lower (0.48 and 0.37, respectively). Longer flight times (i.e. better temperament) were genetically correlated with improved tenderness (i.e. lower shear force and higher tenderness scores), with genetic correlations of –0.42 and 0.33 between LTL shear force, and Meat Standards Australia (MSA) tenderness, respectively. Genetic correlations between post-weaning crush score and the same meat quality traits were 0.39 and –0.47, respectively. However, genetic and phenotypic correlations between measures of temperament and other meat quality traits were generally low, with the exception of crush scores with LTL Minolta a* value (–0.37 and –0.63 for post-weaning and start of finishing measurement time, respectively). Predicted correlated responses of –0.17 kg LTL shear force and 2.6 MSA tenderness points per generation were predicted based on the genetic parameter estimates and a recording regime of both flight time and crush scores. Selection based on the measures of temperament described in this study could be used to improve temperament itself and correlated improvements can also occur in meat tenderness and eating quality traits in tropically adapted breeds of cattle.


2009 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 648-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Gomes ◽  
P.R. Leme ◽  
S.L. Silva ◽  
M.T. Antunes ◽  
C.F. Guedes

To evaluate the effects of the supplementation of feed additives on carcass quality in beef cattle, 72 Nellore steers (339.5kg, 20-month old) were feedlot finished and fed for 91 days one of the following diets: 1) control with no additives; or added of 2) live yeast culture; 3) monensin; or 4) the association of both additives. After slaughter, renal, pelvic, and inguinal fat and hot carcass weights were recorded and carcass was split into muscle, bone, and trimmable fat. Carcass Longissimus muscle area and subcutaneous fat thickness at the 12th rib were measured and steaks of Longisimus muscle were taken to determine meat color, shear force, drip, and cooking losses. Yeast increased carcass dressing percentage but there were no effects on hot carcass weight, Longissimus area, subcutaneous fat thickness, percentage and weight of retail cut yield and trimmings. Feed additives had no effect on carcass pH, meat color, fat content, shear force, and drip losses. Supplementation of yeast, monensin or the association of both additives had no important effects on carcass traits and on meat quality of feedlot finished steers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Boito ◽  
Fernando Kuss ◽  
Luis Fernando Glasenapp de Menezes ◽  
Eduardo Lisbinski ◽  
Micheli de Paris ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to examine the effect of subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) on carcass characteristics and meat quality in 24-month-old British and crossbred British steers finished in feedlot systems. It was assessed using meta-analysis performed on data that was extracted from 46 published studies and comprising a total of 2,695 experimental units. We found that SFT was influenced by and increased linearly with hot carcass weights (HCWs) and cold carcass weights (CCWs) and their yields; moreover, the bone fraction decreased whereas the muscle and fat fractions increased with higher levels of SFT. No significant differences were detected in meat quality variables. Thus, SFT appeared to have a direct influence on HCW, CCW, and the weight and yield of bone, muscle, and fat of castrated steers. A uniform fat thickness level of 6.0 mm SFT was determined to be the standard of quality of carcasses and meat products for consumers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seul Gi Kwon ◽  
Jung Hye Hwang ◽  
Da Hye Park ◽  
Tae Wan Kim ◽  
Deok Gyeong Kang ◽  
...  

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is a plasma transport protein that has glucocorticoid-binding activity. In the present study, we identified CBG gene expression in several tissues of four pig breeds: Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire. Expression of CBG mRNA was detected in the liver of all four breeds, and was the highest in Berkshire pigs. We also found single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CBG gene from Berkshire pigs, including SNP c.919G>A, which corresponds to 307G>R. We analyzed the relationships between this CBG variant and various meat-quality traits. The SNP was significantly associated with backfat thickness, post-mortem pH24h, meat color [CIE a* (redness), CIE b* (yellowness)], water-holding capacity, fat content, moisture content, protein content, cooking loss, and shear force. However, the effects differed by gender: the values were significantly associated with almost all traits in gilts, whereas only cooking loss and shear force were shown significantly in barrows. The variant G allele was associated with decreases in backfat thickness, post-mortem pH24h, CIE a*, fat content, and cooking loss, but with increases in CIE b*, water-holding capacity, moisture content, protein content, and shear force. Because the general correlation between meat-quality traits were not validated in the present study, we suggest that certain SNP might be used in the restrictive application to distinguish meat-quality traits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 350 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. S. Carvalho ◽  
C. A. Boari ◽  
S. D. J. Villela ◽  
A. V. Pires ◽  
M. H. F. Mourthé ◽  
...  

Our objectives were to assess quality parameters and chemical composition, and to evaluate the effects of sex, muscle and aging time on the quality of meats from Wagyu × Angus cross cattle reared under tropical conditions. Analyses were performed on the longissimus thoracis, semitendinosus and triceps brachii muscles obtained from chilled carcasses of a total of 30, 24-month-old, male (immunocastrated) and female animals (15 each sex). An effect of sex (P ≤ 0.05) was observed for subcutaneous fat thickness, marbling score, and ribeye area. The longissimus thoracis muscle from males was less (P < 0.0001) marbled than that from females, but males had greater subcutaneous fat thickness (P = 0.0001) and greater ribeye area (P = 0.0411) compared with females. No effect of sex (P ≥ 0.05) was observed for fat colour measures. An interaction effect of sex and muscle (P < 0.03) was detected for cooking loss, yellow intensity (b*), ash, and fat. Main effect of sex was not observed (P > 0.07) only for the ultimate pH and water-holding capacity. Greater shear force and moisture values were observed (P < 0.01) in meat from males than that from females, but a greater value of luminance (L*), red intensity (a*), chroma (C), hue (Ho), dry matter and protein was observed (P < 0.001) in meat from females than that from males. Main effect of muscle was not observed only for water-holding capacity (P = 0.13). Ultimate pH and shear force values were lesser (P < 0.001) in the longissimus thoracis muscle compared with other muscles. The triceps brachii muscle had the least (P ≤ 0.001) L* and Ho values among muscles, whereas the semitendinosus muscle had the greatest values of a* and C (P < 0.001). The semitendinosus muscle presented the greatest (P < 0.01) protein content compared with other muscles, although not differing in moisture and dry matter content from the triceps brachii muscle. An interaction effect of sex × aging time was observed for ultimate pH (P = 0.0110), meat colour parameters (except for Ho; P ≤ 0.01), and fat L* (P = 0.0025). Greater cooking loss, shear force, and fat a* values were observed (P < 0.01) in meat from males than that from females, but greater values of meat Ho, fat a* and Ho, dry matter, and protein were observed (P ≤ 0.03) in meat from females than that from males. Meat aging of longissimus thoracis reduced shear force. Based on these findings, we recommend that meat from Wagyu × Angus cross cattle should be aged during 7 days because, although differences between 7 and 14 days were observed in either aging times, meat subjected to this process is considered as very tender, based on shear force values. In addition, aging in a shorter period of time can reflect on costs by reducing particularly those related with energy, due to less refrigeration time.


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