Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.31727/m.28.1.3
Effect of gender on fattening and carcass traits of holstein × beef breed crossbreds
Marijana Vrbančić Igrić
orcid.org/0000-0002-0268-7315
; Veleučilište u Križevcima, Križevci
*
Jelena Ramljak
orcid.org/0000-0003-0474-3007
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb
Ante Ivanković
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb
Nikolina Kelava Ugarković
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb
Zvonimir Prpić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb
Marko Jelen
; Veleučilište u Križevcima, Križevci
Miljenko Konjačić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Beef production plays an important role in the food supply, with increasing emphasis placed on production efficiency and meat quality. In Croatia, there is growing interest in the use of crossbreeding Holstein cows with beef breed sires to increase beef production. Since gender is one of the key factors affecting growth intensity and carcass traits, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of gender on fattening and carcass characteristics of Holstein crossbred cattle with Simmental (HOL × SIM), Belgian Blue (HOL × BPG), Limousin (HOL × LIM), and Piedmontese (HOL × PIE) breeds. The study was conducted on a total of 134 head of cattle (63 males and 71 females), divided into four crossbred groups: HOL × SIM (28 animals; 12 males and 16 females), HOL × BPG (42 animals; 20 males and 22 females), HOL × PIE (34 animals; 19 males and 15 females), and HOL × LIM (30 animals; 12 males and 18 females). Calves were reared and fattened under standardised conditions, with feeding adapted to different growth and fattening phases. Data were collected on birth and fnal body weight, hot and cold carcass weights, and EUROP carcass classifcation. Gross and net average daily gains, as well as hot and cold dressing percentages, were calculated. Males had signifcantly higher (p < 0.001) birth and slaughter weights, as well as higher gross and net average daily gains compared with females. In addition, signifcantly higher (p < 0.001) hot and cold carcass weights and higher hot and cold dressing percentages were recorded in males. In contrast, heifers exhibited signifcantly better (p < 0.001) carcass conformation and higher carcass fatness according to the EUROP classifcation at the slaughter line. Overall, the results confrm a pronounced effect of gender on fattening and carcass traits of Holstein crossbreds with beef breeds. Males proved to be more production-efficient in fattening systems up to 16 months of age, whereas females showed better carcass conformation and higher fatness scores. Genotype signifcantly affected selected fattening and carcass traits. HOL × SIM crossbreds achieved higher fnal body weights and higher gross average daily gains (p < 0.05) compared with HOL × LIM and HOL × PIE crossbreds, as well as higher hot and cold carcass weights (p < 0.05) compared with HOL × LIM crossbreds, while no differences were observed in dressing percentage or EUROP carcass conformation. In addition, genotype affected carcass fatness, with HOL × SIM crossbreds showing signifcantly higher fatness scores (p < 0.001) than HOL × PIE crossbreds. The obtained results provide a valuable basis for decision-making in production practices involving Holstein crossbreeding with beef cattle breeds.
Ključne riječi
Holstein × beef breed crossbreds; gender; average daily gain; slaughter traits
Hrčak ID:
346540
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.2.2026.
hrvatski njemački španjolski talijanski
Posjeta: 95 *