Performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot-fnished Zebu cattle in different feeding systems

Abstract

The performance and characteristics of 18 carcasses of feedlot-fnished Zebu cattle were evaluated over 93 days in confnement or semi-confnement systems. In the semi-confnement system, two strategies of pasture deferral were adopted, 40 days (40DD) and 80 days (80DD). The feed of animals in confnement was composed of 24% of grass silage Urochloa spp. and 76% concentrate, on dry matter, freely supplied twice daily. Grazing animals received 4 kg of animal concentrate per day. The fnal fasting weight of the animals in confnement (534.92 kg) was higher than that of animals semi-confned in 40DD (475.33 kg) and 80DD (460.67 kg) pastures, because of the higher daily weight gain (1.37 vs. 0.82 and 0.64 kg, respectively). Feedlot-fnished animals had a greater carcass gain (0.91 kg animaL-1 day-1), resulting in a higher carcass weight (296.47 kg), higher thickness of external fat (5.42 mm), weight and percentage of side cut (17.88 kg and 12.20%), and weight and percentage of fat in the carcass (74.50 kg and 25.22%). However, no difference was observed for the metric and developmental characteristics of the carcass, which allowed good quality carcasses to be obtained, independent of the strategies evaluated. Feedlotfnished Zebu cattle provide heavier and bulky carcasses, leading to higher revenue per marketed carcass.