Livestock Studies 1989, Vol 29, Num, 1-4     (Pages: 021-036)

Effect of different Final weight of Holstein young bulls on slaughter and carcass characteristics

Abdulkadir AKCAN 1 ,Turan GÜRDOGAN 1 ,İbrahim ÇETİN 1

1 A. Ü. Veteriner Fakültesi Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, Ankara - The animal material of the study consisted of 32 yearling Holstein bulls. Eight animals were slaughtered at each of the live weights of 400, 450, 500 and 550 kg.

During the fatening period the average daily gains in the groups were determined as 1076, 1256, 1231 and 928 g. respectively. The adverse seasonal effects were observed on the weight gains in group 1 and 4 in winter and summer.

The following mean values were found: for the dressing percentage of warm carcass 55.8, 56.5, 57.4 and 59.3 %; for the meat ratio 80.4, 80.9, 79.8 and 79.4 %; for the bone ratio 18.1, 17.2, 17.9 and 17.6 %; for the fat ratio 1.0, 1.4, 1.36 and 2.5 %; for the groups of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

It was concluded that the optimum weight of slaughtering is 500 kg. for the fat Holstein bulls. If the slaughtering is performed before the hot summer season the slaugtering weight may be increased to 550 kg. Keywords :