EFEITO DO TIPO DE SUPLEMENTO E DA IMUNOCASTRAÇÃO NA COMPOSIÇÃO DA CARCAÇA E DA CARNE DE NOVILHAS

The aim was to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of beef from Nellore x Limousin heifers immunocastrated or not, supplemented during the rainy season. Twenty-eight heifers (13 months; 217kg) were analized by completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, two sexual conditions (immunocastrated and non-castrated) and two types of supplementation (mineral with grain and common mineral). The type of supplement influenced the variables that constituted the physical composition of the carcass (P<0,10), the percentage of bone was higher for heifers that received mineral supplementation with grain. Regarding the chemical composition of the meat, there was no interaction between the studied factors (P>0,10). Immunocastration does not modify the proportion of carcass tissues and the chemical composition of the meat. The type of supplementation influences the physical composition in the carcass, but not the chemical composition of the meat.