CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL TYPES OF CATTLE (CYCLE-IV) - CARCASS TRAITS AND LONGISSIMUS PALATABILITY

Carcass and longissimus thoracis palatability traits from 888 steers o btained from mating Hereford and Angus cows to Hereford or Angus (HA), Charolais (Ch), Gelbvieh (Gib), Pinzgauer (Pz), Shorthorn (Sh), Gallo way (Gw), Longhorn (Lh), Nellore (Ne), Piedmontese (Pm), and Salers (S a) sires were compared. Data were adjusted to constant age (426 d), ca rcass weight (324 kg), fat thickness (1.2 cm), fat trim percentage (23 %), and marbling (small(00)) end points. At a constant age of 426 d, c arcasses from Ch steers were heaviest (P < .05) and Gw and Lh carcasse s were lightest (P <.05). Adjusted fat thickness was greatest (P <.05) on carcasses from HA and least (P <.05) on carcasses from Ch, Gb, Lh, and Pm steers. USDA numerical yield grades were lowest (P <.05) for c arcasses from Pm and highest (P <.05) for carcasses from HA, Ne, and S h steers. Marbling scores were highest (P <.05) for carcasses from HA, Pt, and Sk and lowest (P < .05) for carcasses from Ch, Ne, and Pm ste ers. Longissimus thoracis from Pt had a lower (P <.05) shear force tha n that from all other breeds except HA, Gb, and Pm. Longissimus thorac is of carcasses from Ne steers was least (P <.05) tender. Adjustment o f traits to various end points resulted in some changes in sire breed differences depending on the end point and the trait being considered but had little effect on palatability traits. Carcasses from Pm-sired steers provided the most desirable combination of carcass and longissi mus palatability traits.