PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF HOLSTEIN AND BROWN SWISS CATTLE GROWN IN AN INTENSIVE BEEF SYSTEM

In this study, it was aimed to compare the physical performances and carcass characteristics of Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle grown in an intensive beef production system. For this purpose, 20 Holstein and 20 Brown Swiss male cattle with an average age of 6 months old were assigned to two feedlot paddocks evenly and fed on the similar ration for 12 months in 2012. The average initial weights of Holstein and Brown Swiss breed animals were 158 and 132 kg respectively. General Linear Model (GLM) procedure was used for the statistical analysis of the data and initial weight and age were taken as covariates to eliminate the weight differences at the start of the experiment. It was found that at the end of the experiment, the differences in final weights were not statistically significant (P>0.05) and Holstein and Brown Swiss animals reached average final weights of 502 and 493 kg, respectively. Furthermore, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in mean total gains (344 v. 361 kg) and average daily liveweight gains (0.985 v. 1.028 kg). The slaughter weight of the animals was 502 and 493 kg for Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle, respectively. Hot carcass weight was approximately similar for both breeds (264 kg) and Dressing percentages were 52.6 and 53.6% for Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle, respectively. Total fat values were 9.2 and 8.8 kg, Fat ratios were 3.52 and 3.45 % for Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle, respectively. Total bone values were 49.37 and 44.29 kg, Bone ratios were 19.8 and 18.3 % for Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle, respectively. There was only statistical differences (P < 0.05) in total bone and bone ratio between breeds. The results indicated that under the Mediterranean climate conditions both breed animals performed similarly and there was no superiority of any breeds over each other although Brown Swiss cattle tended to show better performances. Therefore, both breeds can be recommended for an intensive beef system in the region.