journal article·2025-07-31Open access

Animal Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Crossbred Bulls Finished in Different Production Systems in the Tropics

Jean Fagner Pauly, Jéssica Geralda Ferracini, Henrique Rorato Freire, Bianka Rocha Saraiva, Maribel Valero Velandia, Ana Guerrero, Rodolpho Martin do Prado, Ivanor Nunes do Prado

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 15

Abstract

Extensive beef systems in the tropics are the cheapest but require more land and longer rearing times with environmental impact. This study was carried out to evaluate three beef bull’s production systems in tropics: pasture-based system (PASTU), feedlot system immediately after weaning (FELOT) and a system with the combination of rearing in pasture and finishing in feedlot (PRIME) on animal performance and carcass characteristics of 30 bulls crossbred Angus x Nellore. The final weight, average daily gain and carcass weight (hot and cold) were higher (p < 0.050) for the FELOT system, intermediate for the PRIME system and lowest for the PASTU system. The carcass dressing (hot and cold), dripping losses, ratio (Longissimus dorsi) and degree of finishing were similar (p > 0.050). The carcass pH24h was higher for the PRIME system (p < 0.010). Subcutaneous fat thickness (mm) was lower for the PASTU system (p < 0.050). Marbling was better for the PRIME system. The tissular composition was similar among systems related to muscle percentage but PASTU showed the highest bone percentage (p < 0.050) and lowest of adipose (p < 0.050). PRIME enable cost-effective, fast beef production with less environmental impact.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology · Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock · Livestock Farming and Management

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Programa de Pós Graduação em Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Maringá CEP 87020-900, Paraná, Brazil

PRIME, Chácara 27, Rodovia Perimetral Norte, s/n, Jardim Porto Alegre, Toledo CEP 85906-290, Paraná, Brazil

Gasparin, Rua Santa Helena, 240, Vila Santa Helena, Presidente Prudente CEP 19015-670, São Paulo, Brazil

Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciência de Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Maringá CEP 87020-900, Paraná, Brazil

Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, CP 46115 Valencia, Spain

Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada

Funding

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES) · Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

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