Características quantitativas da carcaça de novilhos jovens e superjovens com peso de abate similares

Abstract

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the quantitative carcass characteristics of crossbred Charolais- Nellore males with similar slaughter and carcass weights and subcutaneous back fat thickness, feedlot finished and slaughtered with 22 month (steers) or 13 month (young steers). The slaughter and carcass weights and subcutaneous fat thickness were 332.92 kg, 180.30 kg and 3.08 mm and 331.42 kg, 187.39 kg and 2.94 mm, respectively, for steers and young steers. The complete randomized experimental design, with twelve replicates, was used. Young steers showed higher hot carcass dressing (56.56% vs 54.20%). Cold carcass dressing was also higher for young steers (55.11% vs 52.63%), as a consequence of their higher hot carcass dressing and lower chilling loss (2.64% vs 2.98 %). Carcass metric characteristics, carcass and arm length, were similar for the two categories. However, steers had longer legs (67.92 vs 63.33 cm). Young steers were superior for characteristics related with carcass muscling, like conformation (10.42 vs 8.92 points), cushion thickness (24.38 vs 21.96 cm), and Longissimus dorsi area (61.58 vs 55.51 cm2). No significant difference between the two categories was observed for the absolute and relative values of the commercial cuts, forequarter, sawcut and ribs.