H. Gerhardy et al., EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF QUALITY BEEF-P RODUCTION SYSTEMS OF DIFFERENT FATTENING PERIODS AND INTENSITIES EMPLOYING HOLSTEIN BULLS, Zuchtungskunde, 67(2), 1995, pp. 117-131
Considering a fattening system characterized by a slaughter age of 16
months, fattening and carcass performances as well as beef quality of
Holstein Friesians (16 bulls) and of Charolais crossbreds (16 bulls) w
ere analysed. In comparison to those, a group of purebred Holstein Fri
esian (16 bulls) was fattened for 20 months. Daily gains of Holstein F
riesians of both age classes were similar, however carcass measurement
s in the bulls fattened for 20 months were superior, whereas the propo
rtion of high-valued cuts was smaller. The difference in beef quality
between bulls of both age classes was negligible. In comparison to Hol
stein Friesian bulls,lean muscle growth and conformation of the crossb
reds were significantly higher (+ 17% carcass daily gain; + 0.9 point
assessment of the round). The beef of the crossbreds was lighter (2 po
ints) and solubility of collagen was higher (+ 16% M. biceps femoris;
+ 6% M. semitendinosus). Beef tenderness in samples of both genotypes
was similar. Considering consistency, proportion of essential fatty ac
ids and degree of yellowness, as measured in samples of subcutaneous,
intermuscular and pelvic fat tissue, the influence of the reduced fatt
ening period was in favour of fat quality, although fat shelf life was
reduced. Economic efficiency of the 20 months fattening system was su
perior by 0.94 DM/kg as compared to the fattening system of the reduce
d fattening period.