Carcass characteristics evaluation of Purunã crossbred Bovines, fed with different energy levels in the diet

Abstract

Developed at the Model Farm Experimental Station – IAPAR, Ponta Grossa – PR, this study evaluated the carcass characteristics of Purunã crossbred bovines, fed with different energy levels in their diets. 24 half breed animals Purunã/Canchim with initial average age of 18 months had been used. The initial average weight was 272 kg for the light animals and 373 kg for the heavy animals and the total intake of 9.35 kg MS/day and 10.35 kg MS/day, respectively. The animals were confined for 84 days, in individual baies. Each treatment had eight repetitions, being four light animals and four heavy ones. The feed consisted of corn silage, soy bean meal, corn grain, urea, dicalcium phosphate, supplement mineral, provided according to the program RLM 3.0. The diets of treatments were provided according to the energies levels: T1: 70.5%TND, T2: 67%TND e T3: 64%TND. The carcass characteristics evaluation didn’t show significant difference between treatment (P > 0.05) and hot carcass weight. It wasn’t observed significant difference between energy increase (P > 0.05) and hot carcass income, carcass length, leg length and thigh thickness. Similarly, the rib eye area, the subcutaneous fat thickness, the percentage of bones, muscle and fat, the carcass conformation, meat color and texture aren’t affected (P > 0.05) by the energy level in the diet. There was statistical difference between intermediary energy level and marbling (P < 0.05).