Relationship among carcass traits evaluated at the 5th and 12th ribs level in Nellore bulls and steers.

• Grant number: 10/10143-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2010
• End date: August 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Saulo da Luz e Silva
• Grantee: Daiane Cristina Marques da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project will be developed in order to evaluate carcass characteristics related to quality and meat yield in different anatomical carcass of cattle. Eighty Nellore animals will be used, with 40 males and 40 castrated males, recreated the pasture and feedlot. The animals will be slaughtered in groups of 10 bulls and 10 bulls at different days of confinement (56, 84, 112 and 140 days). Twenty-four hours after slaughter the carcasses will be divided in the region between the 5th and 6th ribs and further between the 12 th 3-13 th ribs, which will be assessed on the Longissimus area of ribeye, fat thickness, intramuscular fat and color of meat. Will also be analyzed for tenderness by shear force, water losses by exudation and cooking in Longissimus muscle samples taken at both locations. The execution of this work will provide information on the relationship of quality traits evaluated in different anatomical sites, as well as the influence of animal sex and time on feed on these characteristics.