Carcass, meat quality traits, and economic analysis of Nellore bulls fed with finishing feedlot diets containing mechanically processed corn silage.

Effects of mechanical processing (MP) of corn silage and its inclusion in feedlot diets on carcass and meat quality traits of Nellore (Bos indicus) were analyzed. Seventy-two bulls aged approximately 18 months and with an initial average body weight of 392.8 ± 22.3 kg were used. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, considering the concentrate-roughage (C:R) ratio (40:60 or 20:80), MP of silage and their interactions. After slaughter, hot carcass weight (HCW), pH, temperature, backfat thickness (BFT), and ribeye area (REA), yields of meat cuts (tenderloin, striploin, ribeye steak, neck steak, and sirloin cap), meat quality traits and economic analysis were evaluated. A lower final pH was found in the carcasses of animals consuming diets containing MP versus unprocessed silage (pH = 5.81 versus 5.93). Carcass variables (HCW, BFT, and REA) and meat cut yields were not affected by treatments. The C:R 20:80 increased the intramuscular fat (IMF) content by approximately 1%, without affecting moisture, ash, and protein contents. Meat/fat color (L*, a* and b*) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were similar among treatments. The results indicated that the MP of corn silage in finishing diets can provide better carcass pH results in Nellore bulls, without negatively influencing carcass weight, fatness, and meat tenderness (WBSF). The IMF content of meat was slightly improved using a C:R 20:80 and lower total costs per arroba produced (3.5%), daily costs per animal/day (4.2%), and cost per ton of feeds (5.15%) were found with MP silage.

High levels of copper and zinc supplementation in broiler diets on growth performance, carcase traits and apparent ileal mineral absorption.

1. This study investigated the effects of hydroxy trace minerals (HTM) compared to sulphate trace minerals (STM) supplementation on growth performance, carcase parameters and mineral retention in broilers.2. A total of 1792 male Cobb 500 d-old were allocated in a completely randomised trial design to one of eight dietary treatments with eight replicates per treatment. The HTM sources used were two levels of Cu hydroxychloride (CHC) (low and high), combined with three levels of Zn hydroxychloride (ZHC) (low, med and high) and two additional treatments STM; Cu sulphate monohydrate (CSM) (low and high) combined with high Zn sulphate monohydrate (ZSM). At 21 and 42 d-old growth performance was evaluated. Additionally, at 42 d-old the carcase traits, meat quality, apparent ileal absorption and activity of antioxidant enzymes were accessed.3. A data showed that broilers receiving high-CHC had higher body weight, weight gain and better feed conversion ratio as compared to low-CHC at 21 d-old. On day 42, the feed conversion ratio was improved for birds supplemented with high-CHC in diets containing med-ZHC, as compared to low-CHC.4. Dietary Cu increased the redness of breast colour at the level of high-CHC compared to low-CHC. Greater results were observed on carcase traits for the med-ZHC group as compared to low- or high-ZHC. The ceruloplasmin activity in serum increased in the high-CSM diets containing high-ZSM as compared to low-CSM. The AIA of Cu was higher in broilers supplemented with high-CHC containing med-ZHC as compared to low-CHC. Otherwise, the AIA of Zn increased in broilers fed low-CHC containing low- or med-ZHC as compared to high-CHC.5. The trial showed that mineral trace supplementation of broilers diets with high-CHC (150 mg/kg) and low-ZHC (80 mg/kg) was a good alternative to replace sulphate mineral sources in diets.

Performance, carcass and meat characteristics of two cattle categories finished on pasture during the dry season with supplementation in different forage allowance / Desempenho, características da carcaça e carne de duas categorias de bovinos de corte terminados em pastagem durante a estação seca com suplementação em diferentes ofertas de forragem

The objective this paper was to evaluate the effect of two categories of beef finished in pasture with supplementation with two herbage allowance on performance, carcass and meat characteristics. Thirty-six Guzera cattle were used, 18 steers and 18 heifers with an initial age of 20 months. There was significant difference in daily weight gain for animal category and the herbage allowance, which were higher in males and animals submitted to high herbage allowance. Steers showed higher final weight, carcass weight and forequarter yield compared with the heifers, although the hindquarter yield was higher in the heifers, however the herbage allowance did not influence these characteristics. There were not statistical differences for carcass yield, ribeye area, backfat thickness and marbling score for the animal categories and herbage allowance. The meat chemical composition of the steers did not differ of the heifers, however, the animals submitted to high herbage allowance was increase in ether extract and pH, decrease in protein percentage. It was concluded that the animal category and the herbage allowance changed the animal performance, improving performance in males and cattle submitted to high herbage allowance.(AU)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de duas categorias de bovinos terminados em pastagem com suplementação em duas ofertas de forragem no desempenho, na qualidade da carcaça e da carne. Foram utilizados 36 bovinos Guzerá, 18 novilhos e 18 novilhas, com idade inicial de 20 meses de idade. Observou-se diferença significativa no ganho de peso diário para categoria animal e ofertas de forragem, que foram superiores nos machos e nos animais submetidos à oferta alta de forragem. Os novilhos apresentaram maior peso final, peso de carcaça e rendimento de dianteiro em comparação com as novilhas, embora o rendimento do traseiro tenha sido maior para as novilhas, entretanto as ofertas de forragem não influenciaram essas características. Não houve diferenças estatísticas para rendimento de carcaça, área de olho de lombo, espessura de gordura subcutânea e marmorização para categorias de animais e ofertas de forragem. Quanto à composição química, a carne de novilhos não diferiu das novilhas. Os animais submetidos à alta oferta de forragem tiveram aumento no extrato etéreo e pH, redução na porcentagem de proteína. Conclui-se que a categoria animal e os níveis de forragem alteram o desempenho animal, melhorando, assim, o desempenho nos machos e nos bovinos submetidos à alta oferta de forragem.(AU)

A note comparing the welfare of Zebu cattle following three stunning-slaughter methods.

The objective of this study was to assess welfare of cattle during bleeding after slaughter with or without stunning. A total of 434 bulls were distributed across three slaughter treatments: penetrating captive bolt stunning followed by chest sticking (PCB, N=279), non-penetrating captive bolt stunning followed by halal slaughter (NPCB, N=67) and shechita without previous stunning (SHE, N=88). Four measures of possible consciousness and return to sensibility were recorded 20 and 60 s after bleeding as welfare indicators. They were the frequencies of responses to nostril stimulation and tongue pinch, spontaneous eye blinking, and rhythmic breathing. All responses were absent in stunned cattle at both 20 and 60 s, and in SHE cattle 7, 4, 10, and 100% of the animals presented these responses, respectively. Repeat shots were required for 46% NPCB and 2% PCB (P<0.05). The application of religious slaughter without previous stunning may result in greater risk of cattle suffering, pain and distress at slaughter.

Beef quality of young Angus×Nellore cattle supplemented with rumen-protected lipids during rearing and fatting periods.

This work evaluated the beef quality parameters of 108 bulls randomly administered to three treatments during rearing in pastures and two treatments during fatting in feedlots, including mineral and rumen-protected lipids. Meat and fat color, cooking yield, shear force, sensorial traits and chemical and fatty acid compositions were evaluated. Generally, the beef quality parameters were not affected by the rumen protected lipids; however, supplementation with rumen-protected lipids during the rearing period yielded darker beef and brighter fat and increased beef tenderness in meat aged for 28days compared to the meat from animals that received only mineral supplementation. In addition, the percent of meat polyunsaturated fatty acids was negatively affected by the inclusion of protected lipids, yielding 5.58 and 3.72% in animals fed with and without rumen-protected lipids, respectively, during the fatting period.

Rendimentos de cortes, proporção tecidual da carcaça e composição centesimal da carne de caprinos jovens em função do grupo racial e do peso corporal de abate / Cut yields, carcass and tissue composition proportion in meat from young goats depending on the breed and slaughter body weight

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as proporções de cortes comerciais, tecidos do lombo e composição da carne de cabritos de cinco grupos raciais: Alpino, ½ Boer + ½ Alpino (½ BA), ½ Anglo Nubiano + ½ Alpino (½ ANA), ¾ Boer + » Alpino (¾ BA), » Boer + » Alpino + ½ Anglo Nubiano (Tricross), submetidos a três pesos de abate (25, 30 e 35kg) em sistema de confinamento, com utilização de dieta completa. O cruzamento das raças Boer e Anglo Nubiana com fêmeas Alpinas apenas melhorou, nos cabritos, os rendimentos de cortes considerados de terceira categoria, como pescoço e costela. Pesos corporais de abate entre 30 e 35kg devem ser preferidos por aumentarem a proporção de lombo, reduzirem a proporção de pescoço nos Alpinos e aumentarem a de perna em Alpinos e ¾ Boer, além de proporcionarem quantidades adequadas de músculo e gordura intermuscular.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the commercial cuts, loin tissues and composition proportions in meant from five racial groups: Alpine, ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA), ½ Anglo Nubian + ½ Alpine (½ ANA), ¾ Boer + » Alpine (¾ BA), » Boer + » Alpine + ½ Anglo Nubian (Tricross), submitted to three slaughter weights (25, 30 and 35kg) in feedlot, using a complete diet. The crossing of Boer and Anglo Nubian with Alpine females only improved, in kids, the yield of cuts considered third category such as neck and rib. Slaughter body weights between 30 and 35kg should be preferred due to increase in the proportion of the loin, reduction in the proportion of the neck in Alpine and increase in the leg in Alpine and ¾ Boer, beyond the appropriate amounts of intermuscular fat and muscle.

Stress susceptibility in pigs supplemented with ractopamine.

Ractopamine is a ß-adrenergic agonist used as an energy repartitioning agent in the diets of finishing pigs. Most ractopamine studies are limited to evaluations of growth performance and meat quality, and there is little information on the effects of this additive on the behavior and welfare of pigs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate various indicators of stress caused by feeding diets containing ractopamine. One hundred seventy barrows and 170 gilts weighing 107.3 kg were allocated to 30 pens with 10 to 12 barrows or gilts per pen. Pigs were offered 1 of the 3 dietary treatments (0, 5, or 10 mg ractopamine/kg) for 28 d with 5 barrow pens and 5 gilt pens per treatment. Pigs were evaluated for behavior 3 d per week 1 wk before the initiation of the experiment and throughout the experiment. Each pig was classified into 1 of the 13 activities (drinking water, lying alone, lying in clusters, standing, nosing pig, sitting, feeding, biting pig, walking, exploring, running away, playing, and mounting pen mates) and also grouped into 1 of the 3 categories (calm, moving, and feeding themselves) based on those activities. At the end of the experiment, 3 pigs from each pen were slaughtered, and blood samples were collected during exsanguination to determine physiological indicators of stress (cortisol, lactate, and creatine-kinase enzymes). The incidence of skin and carcass lesions was determined at shoulder, loin, and ham. Ractopamine had no effect (P > 0.05) on pig behavior, total number of skin and carcass lesions, or blood concentrations of cortisol or lactate. However, there was an increase (P < 0.05) of creatine kinase concentrations in pigs receiving ractopamine-supplemented feed. This finding is consistent with the concept that ractopamine may cause muscular disorders, and this warrants further investigation.

Effects on performance and carcass and meat quality attributes following immunocastration with the gonadotropin releasing factor vaccine Bopriva or surgical castration of Bos indicus bulls raised on pasture in Brazil.

Bos indicus bulls 20 months of age grazed on pasture in Minas Gerais, Brazil either received 2 doses of the GnRF vaccine Bopriva at d0 and d91 (group IC, n=144) or were surgically castrated on d91 (group SC, n=144). Slaughter on d280, was 27 weeks after castration. Adverse safety issues in 8% of group SC bulls following surgery contrasted with 0% in group IC bulls. At d105 testosterone levels were suppressed to similar levels in both groups. Importantly, group IC bulls had higher live weight, hot carcass weight, ADG (P<0.005) and dressing percentage (P<0.0001) compared to group SC animals. There were no negative effects on carcass or meat quality traits, thus immunocastration was concluded to offer a safe and effective method that provides production gains, and improves animal welfare in Bos indicus beef bulls without impacting meat and carcass quality.

Meat quality of swine supplemented with ractopamine under commercial conditions in Brazil.

Commercial crossbred barrows and gilts (n = 340) were used to study the effects of different dietary inclusions of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on quality of LM and semimembranosus muscle (SM). Pigs were blocked by BW (107.3 ± 0.76 kg) and allotted to gender-specific pens (10 to 12 pigs/pen), and within blocks, pens of barrows or gilts (10 pens/treatment) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary RAC inclusions (0, 5, or 10 mg/kg) fed during the last 28 d before slaughter. Initial (45-min) and ultimate (24-h) pH and temperature were measured in LM and SM. Visual and instrumental [lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values] color as well as drip loss percentages were measured in both muscles after the 24-h chilling period at 1 to 4 °C. The LM was also evaluated for marbling, and samples of the LM were used to measure intramuscular fat (IMF) content, cooking losses, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Pork quality characteristics of the LM (P ≥ 0.227) and SM (P ≥ 0.082) did not differ between barrows and gilts. Furthermore, neither pH nor temperature of the LM (P ≥ 0.164) or SM (P ≥ 0.284) was affected by feeding pigs RAC. The LM from pigs fed 10 mg/kg of RAC received lesser (P = 0.032) subjective color scores than LM from pigs fed 0 and 5 mg/kg of RAC, and LM from pigs fed 10 mg/kg of RAC was less (P = 0.037) red than LM from pigs fed 0 mg/kg of RAC. In addition, SM from pigs fed 10 mg/kg of RAC had lesser (P ≤ 0.015) a* and b* values than pork from control-fed pigs; however, L* values for LM and SM were not (P ≥ 0.081) affected by dietary RAC. Drip loss percentages of the LM were similar (P = 0.815) among RAC treatments, but the SM from RAC-fed pigs had smaller (P = 0.020) drip loss percentages than SM from pigs fed 0 mg/kg of RAC. Marbling scores and IMF content of the LM did not (P ≥ 0.133) differ among RAC treatments; however, WBSF values were greater (P = 0.005) for LM chops from pigs fed 10 mg/kg than chops from pigs fed 0 and 5 mg/kg of RAC. Even though feeding barrows and gilts 10 mg/kg of dietary RAC reduced (P = 0.050) cooking losses of LM chops compared with feeding 5 mg/kg of RAC, including 10 mg/kg of RAC in the diet of finishing pigs reduced pork tenderness. Therefore, results from this study support the recommendation that including 5 mg/kg of RAC in finishing diets should improve live pig performance without detrimental effects on fresh pork quality and cooked pork palatability.

Desempenho e características da carcaça de bovinos alimentados com dietas com caroço de algodão / Performance and carcass traits of steers fed diets containing whole cottonseed

Avaliou-se o efeito da adição de caroço de algodão à dieta de bovinos confinados sobre o desempenho animal e características da carcaça. Usaram-se 36 novilhos Nelore com médias de idade e peso vivo inicial de 20 meses e 333,5kg. Os animais foram confinados e receberam dietas com os seguintes teores de caroço de algodão: 0; 14,35 por cento; 27,51 por cento; e 34,09 por cento na matéria seca da dieta. O ganho de peso diário, peso vivo final e consumo de matéria seca diminuíram linearmente com o aumento da proporção de caroço de algodão na dieta. Não foi observado efeito sobre o ganho de peso total ajustado ao consumo. Os pesos da carcaça e do contrafilé diminuíram linearmente com o aumento da proporção de caroço de algodão na dieta. Não foi observado efeito do teor de caroço de algodão sobre a área de olho de lombo. A espessura de gordura de cobertura do dorso e da garupa diminuíram com o aumento do teor de caroço de algodão. Observou-se correlação de 0,62 entre as duas medidas de gordura. A adição de caroço de algodão à dieta de bovinos de corte não se mostrou vantajosa, pois diminuiu o desempenho animal e a deposição de gordura na carcaça.

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of adding whole cottonseed to the diet of feedlot cattle over the performance and carcass traits. Thirty six Nellore bullocks were used, with an average age of 20 months and average initial weight of 333.5kg. The animals were raised on feedlot and fed diets with the following content of whole cottonseed: 0; 14.35 percent; 27.51 percent; or 34.09 percent on a dry matter basis. The daily weight gain, final weight and dry matter intake decreased linearly as the proportion of cottonseed increased. No effect of cottonseed on total weight gain adjusted for intake was observed. Carcass and ribeye weights decreased linearly as cottonseed content increased. No effect of cottonseed content was observed for ribeye area. In contrast, back fat and rump fat thickness decreased as cottonseed content increased. A correlation of .62 was observed between back fat and rump fat. Adding whole cottonseed to beef cattle diets did not prove advantageous because it reduced animal performance and carcass fat deposition.

Composição tecidual e qualidade da gordura na carne de cordeiros castrados e não castrados confinados sob dois fotoperíodos / Tissue composition and fat quality of meat of intact or castrated male lambs confined under two photoperiods

Avaliaram-se os efeitos do fotoperíodo e da castração sobre a composição dos tecidos da paleta e características de qualidade da gordura do lombo e da paleta, de 20 cordeiros mestiços Ideal, distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (dois fotoperíodos - curto (FC), com 12 horas de luz, e longo (FL), com 18 horas de luz, e duas condições sexuais - não castrados (NC) e castrados (C)), com cinco repetições. Os animais foram abatidos aos 37kg de peso corporal. Maior quantidade de gordura total ocorreu nos cordeiros C e mais tecido conjuntivo nos animais NC. A castração influenciou o resíduo mineral fixo (RMF), o extrato etéreo (EE) e a proteína da gordura subcutânea. O efeito da interação entre fotoperíodo longo e castração resultou em aumento do teor de umidade na gordura intermuscular da paleta. A castração elevou o teor de EE e diminuiu o percentual de RMF. Não foi evidenciado efeito do fotoperíodo no EE dos músculos da paleta, e os animais castrados apresentaram gordura intramuscular mais elevada. Os níveis de colesterol da paleta foram mais elevados que os do lombo. Na carne de animais C, verificou-se maior quantidade de ácidos graxos saturados.

The effects of photoperiod and castration on tissue muscle composition, fat physical-chemical composition, and cholesterol was determined for two muscles of 20 Ideal crossbred lambs. The animals were divided into four treatments: five intact males and five castrate during a short photoperiod of 12 light hours, and five intact males and five castrated during a long photoperiod of 18 light hours. The animals were allocated in individual pens, in two identical rooms, with light intensity of 300 lux, (intact and castrated animals x short and long photoperiod). The animals were slaughtered as they reached 37kg of body weight. Castrated lambs showed a significantly higher amount of total fat tissues while intact animals showed higher connective tissue for the shoulder tissue composition. Effect of castration on ash, lipid, and protein was observed in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Interaction effect between LF and castration promoted in shoulder fat intermuscular tissue increase of moisture content while the castration increased the lipid content and decreased the ash. Castrated animals presented higher intramuscular fat. Castrated lambs showed cholesterol contents in shoulder muscles larger than in the Longissimus lumborum muscle. The castration promoted larger amount of saturated fatty acids.

Relaçäo entre concentraçäo de testosterona, desenvolvimento do aparelho genital e odor na carcaça de suínos machos inteiros / Relationship between testosterone concentration, development of the genital tract and boar taint in boar's carcass

Vinte suínos machos inteiros, 10 da raça Landrace e 10 da Large White, com peso médio de 23,8 kg e alojados em quatro baias coletivas foram utilizados para avaliar a concentraçäo de testosterona, em diferentes idades, e suas relaçöes com ganho de peso, idade, avaliaçäo sensorial na gordura e desenvolvimento do sistema genital. Foram realizadas sete colheitas de sangue com intervalo médio de 15 dias entre elas, e a testosterona analisada por radioimunoensaio. Aos 91 kg de peso médio, os animais foram abatidos e colhidas amostras de gordura e retiradas as glândulas bulbo uretrais que foram medidas e pesadas. As avaliaçöes sensoriais foram realizadas utilizando o método da escala estruturada. Na estimativa de correlaçäo entre as variáveis utilizou-se o método de Pearson. Suínos Large White com peso acima de 97 kg apresentaram odores mais intensos na carcaça que os Landrace de menor peso. A análise sensorial revelou relaçäo positiva entre intensidade do odor e peso vivo e intensidade de odor e idade na raça Large White. Peso e comprimento da glândula bulbo uretral näo foram bons indicadores da intensidade do odor na carcaça dos machos inteiros