Comparison of the growth and meat tenderness of Brahman and F1 Senepol × Brahman steers
T. J. Schatz A D , S. Thomas B and G. Geesink CA NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, GPO Box 3000, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia.
B NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, DDRF, PMB 105, Winnellie, NT 0822, Australia.
C University of New England, Meat Science Department, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: tim.schatz@nt.gov.au
Animal Production Science 54(10) 1867-1870 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14243
Submitted: 12 March 2014 Accepted: 25 June 2014 Published: 19 August 2014
Abstract
The growth of 116 Brahman (BRAH) and 96 F1 Senepol × Brahman (F1 SEN) steers grazing improved Buffel pasture in the Northern Territory was compared. Average growth was 10 kg higher in F1 SEN during grazing in the 9 months following weaning. Twenty-five steers of each genotype were compared for feedlot performance and meat quality. There was no significant difference in feedlot growth over 73 days in a commercial feedlot. On average F1 SEN carcasses graded two boning groups lower in the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system. While M. longissimus samples from both genotypes were quite tender (shear force <4 kg), F1 SEN samples were found to be significantly more tender than BRAH (−0.44 kg) by shear force testing. These results indicate that crossbreeding with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, such as the Senepol, may be a viable method for cattle producers with Brahman herds in northern Australia to improve the meat quality of the cattle they produce.
Additional keywords: Brahman cattle, feedlot growth, meat tenderness, Senepol cattle.
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