Evaluation of meat quality traits and profitability of young, rapidly growing Simmental and Simmental crossbred bulls: a contribution to quality programs

The effects of a reduced age at slaughter (15-16 months) and high levels of concentrates are analyzed on growth, carcass characteristics, meat quality and profitability for four different breeds: Charolais x Simmental (C x S), Limousin x S (L x S), S x S-beef (S x S-b), S. Average initial body weight (BW) will be between 250 and 300 kg for these groups. BW at slaughter will be about 750 kg (C x S), 700 kg (S x S-b, S) and 650 kg (L x S). Purebred S-bull calves with an initial BW of 150 to 180 kg will be grown to a maximum of 700 kg at an age of 19 months. This group will serve as a conventional control. 15 bulls will be allocated to each of these 5 treatments. Besides growth and feed efficiency, criteria of meat quality will be measured as the respective results will constitute the basis for the further development of beef label programs. Additionally, the effects of a vacuum-maturation of beef on specific quality traits will be analyzed: cuts from the back portions will be stored under vacuum at 2°C for 1, 13 and 20 days. Suggestions for label programs will be derived from these results.