Feed consumption, body weight gain and carcass characteristics of Jeju native cattle and its crossbreds fed for short fattening period

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the growth performance and carcass evaluation of Jeju native cattle (JNC) and its crossbreds (CBK = 25 JNC: 50 Charolais: 25 Brahman and BCBK = 62.5 JNC: 25 Charolais: 12.5 Brahman) fed for a short fattening period. Eight male calves each of JNC (80.40±10), CBK (113.50±12.3), and BCBK (100.3±9.5) were weaned at 4 month of age and were fed similar diets for 18 months of their age. All animals were fed a growing ration until 12 months of age and thereafter switched to a fattening ration for a period of 6 months. Final body weight (BW) and BW gain were significantly higher in CBK and BCBK compared with JNC. The CBK and BCBK gained 27.42% and 25.99% more BW, respectively, compared with JNC. The CBK and BCBK animals consumed significantly less DM than JNC to gain a unit of BW. Body weight gain, DM intake and feed conversion efficiency were similar between CBK and BCBK. Weight of hot and cold carcass, ribs, boneless meat and Longissimus dorsi muscle area were significantly different among JNC and its crossbreds. The heaviest carcass was observed in CBK followed by BCBK and JNC. Carcass, chest and femur lengths were greater in CBK and BCBK compared with JNC. Chest width, chest depth and hip width were similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Femur width was significantly greater in CBK compared with BCBK and JNC. Femur depth and chest girth were significantly greater in CBK and BCBK compared with JNC. Weight and fat yield in different carcass cuts were greater in crossbreds compared to JNC. Percent moisture, crude ash, and crude protein of meat were similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Percent crude fat in beef was significantly greater in JNC compared with its crossbreds. Beef shear force value, percent water holding capacity, juiciness and tenderness were significantly greater for JNC compared to its crossbreds. In conclusion, CBK and BCBK have shown greater growth rates and produced heavier carcasses with good degree of fatness when compared with JNC.