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A comparison of Canadian Holstein × British Friesian and British Friesian steers for beef production. 2. Carcass characteristics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

P. L. Baber ,
P. Rowlinson ,
M. B. Willis  and
A. J. Chalmers
P. L. Baber
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
P. Rowlinson
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
M. B. Willis
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
A. J. Chalmers
Affiliation:
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Government Buildings, Kenton Bar, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2YA
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Abstract

A comparison was undertaken of 85 Holstein × Friesian (HF) and 84 Friesian (F) steer carcasses that had been produced on three production systems. These were: intensive barley beef (BB); grass/cereal 18 month; and 24 month forage system. On each system, HF steers were heavier at slaughter (over all systems, 476·5 v. 453·3 kg ***) and had a lower killing-out proportion (512 v. 521 g/kg ***), which resulted in higher carcass weights (243·5 v. 235·9 kg **). Steers were slaughtered on reaching a standard degree of finish (equivalent to European Economic Community fat-class 3), provided that they had attained a minimum live weight. There were no significant differences in carcass fat class (3·23 v. 3·35) but HF had poorer carcass conformation classification (2·62 v. 3·21 ***). Of the HF carcasses, 60·4% were rejected on conformation for Beef Premium Scheme payments and only 29·0% of the F carcasses were rejected (P < 0·001): a considerable and unmerited financial penalty. Objective carcass measurements showed HF to have longer sides (1257 v. 1233 mm ***), longer legs (812 v. 790 mm ***) and deeper forequarters (420 v. 402 mm ***). These differences remained when dressed carcass weight and sample-joint fat proportion were taken as covariates. Comparison of the weight-adjusted carcasses showed the HF to have reduced rump (P < 0·001) and loin thickness (P < 0·05). No other consistent effects were seen for carcass measurements, subjective scores or colour attributes. Dissection of the 7th t o 9th rib joint, as a predictor of carcass composition, revealed no significant overall differences in proportions (g/kg) of muscle (571 v. 567), bone (219 v. 219) or fat (206 v. 212). The implications of carcass value of the above findings are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 38 , Issue 3 , June 1984 , pp. 407 - 415
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1984

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References

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