Correlations of visual scores, carcass traits, feed efficiency and retail product yield in Nellore cattle

Autor(es)

Cancian, Paulo Henrique ^[1] ; Gomes, Rodrigo da Costa ^[1] ; Manicardi, Fernando Ricardo ^[1] ; Ianni, Andrea Cristina ^[1] ; Bonin, Marina de Nadai ^[1] ; Leme, Paulo Roberto ^[1] ; da Luz e Silva, Saulo ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, FZEA, Dept Anim Sci, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Scientia Agricola; v. 71, n. 1, p. 17-22, JAN-FEB 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 5

Resumo

The growing use of visual scores (VS) and ultrasound (US) for carcass evaluation in breeding programs, calls for a knowledge of the relationships between these traits and other relevant characteristics, such as feed efficiency and production of commercial cuts. The objective of this study was to evaluate correlations between body visual scores and carcass traits identified by ultrasound (US) and feed efficiency (FE), carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP) and retail product yield (RPY) in beef cattle. Nellore cattle (male), 42 non-castrated [NCAST] and 44 castrated [CAST]) were evaluated by both VS and US, at the postweaning (15-month old) and finishing phases (21-month old). Visual scores of conformation (C), precocity (P) and muscling (M) were assessed and the backfat thickness (UBFT), rump fat thickness (URFT) and ribeye area (UREA) were measured by ultrasound. Gain-to-feed (G:F) ratio and residual feed intake (RFI) were measured in feedlot. Hot carcass weight, DP and RPY were determined at harvest. Non-castrated cattle had greater HCW and RPY but lower UBFT and URFT than CAST. Postweaning VS and US were poorly correlated with FE in both sexual conditions. Finishing VS were negatively correlated with G:F in CAST and finishing URFT was negatively correlated with RPY in NCAST. The relationship of VS and US with feed efficiency and meat yield is affected by age at the date of evaluation and by castration. Feed efficiency is not related to the yield of meat cuts in Nellore cattle (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/04445-6 - Utilização da análise de vídeo imagem, ultra-sonografia em tempo real e infravermelho como ferramentas para determinação da qualidade da carne bovina
• Beneficiário: Saulo da Luz e Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 11/01159-8 - Escores de avaliação visual e suas relações com eficiência alimentar e características de carcaça e rendimento de porção comestível em bovinos Nelore
• Beneficiário: Paulo Henrique Cancian
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica