Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2001
Volume 4
Issue 2
Topic:
Animal Husbandry
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Chladek G. , Dobicki A. , Ingr I. 2001. COMPARISON OF BEEF PRODUCTION AND MEAT QUALITY OF HOLSTEIN BULLS FATTENED TO A LOWER LIVE WEIGHT IN LOOSE AND TETHERED HOUSING SYSTEMS, EJPAU 4(2), #08.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume4/issue2/animal/abs-08.html

COMPARISON OF BEEF PRODUCTION AND MEAT QUALITY OF HOLSTEIN BULLS FATTENED TO A LOWER LIVE WEIGHT IN LOOSE AND TETHERED HOUSING SYSTEMS

Gustav Chladek, Aleksander Dobicki, Ivo Ingr

 

ABSTRACT



The experimental group consisted of 57 young Holstein bulls kept in the Czech Republic; 35 bulls were tethered and 22 bulls were loose housed. The aim of the study was to analyse and compare the effect of different housing systems on feedlot performance, carcass value and meat quality and their mutual relationship. The overall average values were as follows: feedlot performance parameters – live weight at slaughter 434.3 kg, age at slaughter 455.8 days, total weight gain 319.3 kg, duration of fattening 342.1 days, daily weight gain 941 g; carcass value parameters – dressing percentage 51.0%, net daily weight gain 482 g, weight and proportion of kidney fat 3.9 kg, 1.8% resp., weight and proportion of fat trim 2.2 kg and 2.0% resp.; meat quality parameters – dry matter, fat and collagen content in muscle 23.8, 1.46 and 1.13% resp., pH24 6.08, drip loss 0.849% and remission (525 nm) 6.4%. Loose–housed bulls showed significantly higher dressing percentage (by 1.3%), net daily weight

Key words: Holstein bulls, loose and tethered housing systems, beef production, carcass value, meat quality.