Carcass cut-out value and eating quality of longissimus muscle from serially harvested savannah-raised Brahman-influenced cattle and water buffaloes in Venezuela

Males (n = 132) of riverine water buffalo (Buffalo) and Brahman-influenced cattle (Brahman) were reared alike and serially harvested at four different ages (7, 17, 19 and 24 months) to compare cutting yield (%), eating quality and consumer acceptability of cube-roll steaks at 19 and 24 months of age (MOA), and to examine post-weaning castration effects. Brahman bulls outperformed Brahman steers and Buffalo male classes in the proportion of chuck-roll, medium-value and total valuable cuts (P < 0.05). At all harvest ages, Buffalo carcasses yielded higher (P < 0.05) percentages of trimmed fat, which resulted in a sustained decline of the proportion of total lean, edible cuts. Buffalo meat had a lower shear-force value and a higher proportion of tender steaks than did Brahman at 7 and 24 MOA (P < 0.05). Whereas trained panellists detected differences in sensorial attributes only at 7 months [when Buffalo steaks were rated as more tender and flavourful (P < 0.05) than Brahman steaks], consumer acceptability ratings for Buffalo meat trended to be higher when harvested at 19 and 24 MOA (P < 0.1). The increasing proportion of boneless lean cuts with age gives Brahman a clear, commercial advantage over Buffalo; however, Buffalo produces meat as juicy and flavourful as that of Brahman and exhibits superior eating quality if harvested at 7 or 24 MOA.