CARACTERÍSTICAS DA CARCAÇA DE MACHOS NELORE E MESTIÇO LEITEIRO, INTEIROS E IMUNOCASTRADOS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quantitative characteristics and primary carcass cuts of Nelore and dairy crossbred males, non-castrated and immunocastrate. Thirty-six male were used, 18 Nelore and 18 Holstein-Zebu, with initial weight of 217.80 ± 20.58 kg. A completely randomized design were adopted
with 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, two genetic groups (Nelore and dairy crossbred)
and two sexual conditions (non-castrated and immunocastrate). The hot and cold carcass weight, the cooling loss, the flank cut in the carcass and the hematomas were not altered by the genetic groups or sexual condition. The hot and cold carcass yield were higher for the Nellore animals than for the dairy crossbred. The pistol cut was higher for the immunocastrate animals, while the forequarter was higher for the non-castrated males. Dairy crossbred can be used for meat production, however they have a lower carcass yield than Nellore animals. Immunocastration improves the ratio of primary cuts on the carcass by increasing of pistol cut.