Características da carcaça de tourinhos nelore x limousin alimentados com dietas contendo gérmen de milho integral

Abstract

Quantitative characteristics of the carcass of feedlot finished Nelore X Limousin bulls, receiving diets containing 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% corn germ meal (CGM) were evaluated. The initial average weight and age were 321.25 kg and 20 months, respectively. The experimental diets were composed by 25% of roughage and 75% of concentrate. Each 1% CGM inclusion provided the increase of 0.62 kg in the slaughter weight. The CGM addition to the diets provided linear increases in the weights of the hot and cold carcasses. There were no differences for hot and cold carcasses dressing percentages and chilling loss for the different diets. Observed averages were 55.21%; 54.42% and 0.78%, respectively. The hindquarter (pistol) (48.53%), spare ribs (11.66%) and forequarter (39.8%) cuts did not alter with the CGM inclusion in the diets. The weights and percentages of the commercial cuts of the hindquarter were, also not influenced by the CGM addition. Diets containing up to 45% of CGM can be supplied to feedlot finishing bovine, providing higher body and carcass weights, without affecting carcass yields.