Influence of temperament on performance and carcass quality of commercial Brahman steers in a Colombian tropical grazing system. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: León-Llanos, Leandro M.; Flórez-Díaz, Hernando; Duque-Muñoz, Luis G.; Villarroel, Morris; Miranda-de la Lama, Genaro C.
• Is Part Of: Meat science. Volume 191(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Temperament -- Chute score -- Exit velocity -- Carcass quality -- Brahman zebu -- Colombia; Meat -- Periodicals; Meat industry and trade -- Periodicals; Viande -- Périodiques; Viande -- Industrie -- Périodiques; Meat; Meat industry and trade; Periodicals; 641.36
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-1740

Abstract

Abstract: Temperament is defined as individual behavioral responses to potentially fear-eliciting or challenging situations related to human presence and handling. A total of 190 steers of commercial Zebu Brahman ( Bos indicus ) were used in this study, selected when they were between 10 and 11 months of age, fattened for 24 months (720 days) and slaughtered between 34 and 35 months of age. Using a temperament index (based on two tests: chute and exit score), animals were classified as calm, restless, or nervous. In general, calm animals had a longer carcass, a higher slaughter and fasting weight, and a normal pH 24 (<5.7). However, carcass yield was significantly higher in nervous than in restless animals, but did not differ from that of calm steers. It is important to note that these results were obtained under experimental conditions, therefore, effects could have a greater impact on carcass quality under commercial conditions.