Producción de carne a base de becerros lecheros: Engorda hasta 150, 200, 250, 300 y 350 kilogramos de peso vivo

Abstract

Holstein calves were raised and slaughtered to determine optimun slaughter weight for food conversion efficiency and carcass quality. Fifteen claves were raised individually under an early weaning calf rearing system and five calves each were sacrificed at 150, 200 and 250 kg live weight. Twelve further calves were raised and of these, 6 animals were slaughtered at 300 and 350 kg respectively, Growth rate was 0.612 kg/day with a food conversion efficiency (FCE) of 3.55 until 100 kg live weight. Thereafter growth rates were 0.895, 1.080 and 0.979 with FCE of 4.60, 4.83 and 5.86 for the growth intervals 100-150 kg, 150-200 and 200-250 kg respectively. From 250-300 kg and 300-350 kg live weight, growth rates were 1,386 and 1.137 kg/day respectively. Killing out percentages for the different live weight, growth rates were 55.5, 57.5, 56.0, 55.4 and 55.6 per cent respectively (warm carcass weight/live weight before trasnport). Percentages of round were 30.62, 30.26, 29.76, 30.55 and 30.07 respectively. Carcass measurements, subjective carcass evaluation and retail cuts are also included.