Beef recording data was analysed for Simmental (LS), Limousin (LIM), Charolais (CHA) and beef breeds crosses with dual purpose breeds (CR), for the period from 1998 to 2014. Using live body weights (TM) (at birth, on 90 days of age, 210 days of age and 365 days of age) body weight gains (PTM) and theoretical metabolizable energy (ME, in MJ/kg PTM) consumption were estimated. Maintenance requirements of suckling cow, maintenance requirements of bull, and ME for the PTM were estimated separately. The highest total ME requirements (PKVP) had calves younger than 8 months while the lowest PKVP was estimated for the bulls aged between 12 and 24 months (134 MJ/kg PTM vs. 106 MJ/kg PTM). The highest efficiency had LS breed (PKVP = 115 MJ/kg PTM) and crossbreds (116 MJ/kg PTM). CHA breed (126 MJ/kg PTM) and LIM breed (131 MJ/kg PTM) were considerably less efficient. When comparing animals of the same age, the highest efficiency occurs at the highest intensity of fattening. Lower quarter of animals (sorted by daily gain) had the worst energy efficiency (CHA breed with PKVP of 147 MJ/kg PTM, where age of slaughter was 34 months and daily gain 444 grams; LIM breed with PKVP of 184 MJ/kg PTM, where age of slaughter was 38 months and daily gain 500 grams). The highest quarter of animals (sorted by daily gain) were also the most efficient (LS breed: PKVP = 94 MJ/kg PTM, age at slaughter = 20 months, PTM = 1210 grams per day; crossbreds: PKVP = 91 MJ/kg PTM, age at slaughter = 21 months, PTM = 1275 grams per day).
COBISS.SI-ID: 4877416
The present paper presents the results of meat quality assessment of Simmental bulls (LS) reared at the test station ŽIPO Lenart, including meat technological quality traits (pH, colour, water-holding capacity). Additionally, meat tenderness (shear force) was monitored and associated with the content and nature (soluble, insoluble) of collagen. Effects of two-week storage in vacuum package and the ability of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the prediction of tenderness were also tested. The animals included in the study were genotyped for polymorphisms on four candidate genes (CAST, CAPN1, SCD1, DGAT1), on which an preliminary associative analysis with the assessed meat quality traits was performed.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4878952
The aim of the study was to determine fatty acid composition in meat of Cika and Simmental bulls from two different fattening technologies. The herd of 39 young bulls was housed during the winter time and fed the same total mixed ration diet (TMR) based on corn and grass silage with a limited amount of concentrates. In the spring bulls of both breeds were divided into two subgroups. Bulls in the first subgroup (10 Cika, 9 Simmental; S-INT) were fattened indoors with the semi-intensive TMR. Bulls in the second subgroup (10 Cika, 10 Simmental; G+S-INT) were put on all-day grazing in the pasture. After grazing period bulls were housed under the same conditions as the first subgroup. Samples of M. longissimus dorsi were collected from the right carcass side to determine the total fat content and the fatty acid composition. The breed significantly influenced fatty acid composition in meat. The beef of Simmental bulls resulted in higher percentage of PUFA and lower percentage of SFA and MUFA. Higher percentage of n-3 and n-6 PUFA was determined in meat of Simmental bulls but the n-6/n-3 ratio was lower in Cika bulls meat. The fattening technology had less effect on FA composition in meat. The second grazing period produced higher percentage of SFA, beneficially lower values of n-6/n-3 ratio and higher values of long-chain C20-22n-3 PUFA. Higher CLA percentage was determined in beef from S-INT group.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3622024