Study of carcasses from Charolais and Nelore cull cows

Abstract

The study was conducted at the "Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil", to compare the quality of carcasses from cull cows of Charolais (C) and Nellore (N) breeds. Forty-nine were used: 25 C and 24 N, raised and finished on native pasture, under similar management, and slaughtered between 7 and 15 years of age. After chilling for 24 h. at 2^o C, subjective and objective evaluations were performed. The right side was used for metric measurements and section of the loin, consisting of the 11th, 12th and 13th ribs, was used to estimate the physical composition of the caracasses in muscle, fat and bone. The left side was split into the three commercial cuts: rear, forequarter and side. C cows were heavier at slaughter but the carcass weight dit not differ because N presented higher dressing percentage. Conformation was better in C while N displayed a better finish. C presented greater carcass lenght, better thickness of cushion, arm perimeter and loin arca whereas N had longer legs and arms. A higher proportion of rearquarter was obtained in C and side in N. The proportion of musele was greater in C and of fat in N.