Morphometric analysis of dressed carcasses of bulls of commercial meat types

The paper contains results of morphometric analyses of 229 dressed carcasse s of bulls fattened to 500 (498-501) days of age. Data on 11 carcass measur es were evaluated in the progeny of sires of Czech Pied cattle and speciali zed beef breeds of seven commercial meat types - crossbreds of domestic pop ulation of dual-purpose cattle and specialized beef breeds (Aa, He, Li, Bm, Pi, Ch, Ba). Slaughter weight of bulls included in groups ranged from 513 to 599 kg, weight gain was in the range of 1 058-1 211 g in the fattening p eriod. Differences in carcass length between the groups of bulls were at th e level of significance (from 126.2 cm in the progeny after sires of He bre ed to 134.5 cm in bulls of C breed). Production of carcass weight per 1 cm of its length was worst in crossbreds with H sires while the best results ( P < 0.05) were determined in bulls after sires of beef breeds with large bo dy frame - Ch and Pa. Assessment of bull meatiness in agreement with EUROP did not correspond with these results. The best meatiness was achieved in c arcasses of commercial types with medium body frame - Bm, He and Aa, i.e. i n types with lower production of meat on bone per 1 cm of carcass length. S ignificant differences in round and rump length 1 were observed between the groups of bulls with medium and large body frame (P < 0.05). Differences i n round and rump width in Li group were positive (27.74 cm). Girth and spir al girth of round and rump can be considered as the most important indicato rs of shape characteristics of this cut of beef. Evaluation of these measur es was positive for the shape of round and rump in the progeny of Pi group (115.27 or 163.54 cm). Chest depth ranged from 36.48 to 40.05 cm in the sep arate groups, the highest values were determined in the progeny after sires of Pm breed. Besides the bulls of group C, the progeny after sires Pi, Ch and Pm had the largest half girth of chest (91.09 cm, 90.95, 90.95 and 90.0 5 cm, respectively). Morphometric evaluation and classification of carcass meatiness of bulls implies the need of slaughter weight differentiation in relation to the breed of the sire of fattened progeny.