Authors
Title
Abstract
The research study involved 167 young Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF) bulls with an initial body weight of 70 ÷ 100 kg, fed concentrates supplemented with hay or straw. The animals were slaughtered at a body weight of ca. 570 kg. The majority of carcasses (74.82 %) were classified to a conformation class O incl. 52.44 % to class O, 17.48 % to class O+, and 4.90 % to class O-, as well as to classes R (11.89 %) and R- (13.29 %). The young PHF bulls, whose carcasses were characterized by the best conformation (class R), had the lowest average body weight at purchase, the highest daily gains during fattening, and the highest dressing percentage. The bulls, whose carcasses were assigned to conformation class O-, were characterized by less advantageous values of the above parameters. The carcasses classified to higher conformation classes had a higher percent content of retail cuts of a higher market value, and a lower proportion of bones, and this should be taken into account while setting beef cattle prices. Regardless of the conformation class, the meat from PHF bulls was characterized by a good quality. It contained more than 1 % of intramuscular fat, its pH values were correct and did not exceed 5.8, and it had comparable organoleptic properties.
Keywords
bulls, slaughter value, meat quality, conformation class, EUROP