Carcass morphometry of crossbred steers subjected to different nutritional strategies in the growing and finishing phases - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i2.17904

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies in growing and finishing phases on the carcass morphometry of 24 crossbred steers, ½ Holstein/Zebu, slaughtered at 15 months of age and 395.0kg live weight. In the growing phase, animals were maintained grazing on Brachiaria brizantha , receiving two levels of energy supplementation in quantities equivalent to 0.5 or 1.0% live weight. Then, animals were finished in feedlot receiving diets composed of 50 or 80% concentrate. The percentage of primary cuts was not influenced by feed levels in the growing and finish phases. The high supplementation level in the growing phase resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) carcass length (134.48 vs . 131.43 cm). The food levels did not influence the conformation of the carcasses, however the highest level in the growing and finishing phases resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) cushion thickness (23.46 vs 21.26 cm). It was found a significant interaction between feeding levels in the different phases for the leg length and arm perimeter with increase of 14.78 and 4.80%, respectively for animals given high energy levels in both phases. The high feeding level in the growing phase was more attractive owing the positive effects on some important measures of carcass, especially in the length.