Effects of Slaughter Age and Season on Final Weight and Carcass Characteristics in Holstein-Friesian Cull Cows

Year 2019, Volume: 38 Issue: 2, 38 - 43, 18.12.2019

Sena Ardicli

https://doi.org/10.30782/jrvm.567561

Cited By: 1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to
quantify the factors associated with age at slaughter and slaughter season in cull cows.
Data from 159 Holstein-Friesian cull cows were used and the cows were divided
into three age groups including, very young (<2 years), young (2-3years) and
mature (>3years). Results indicated that mature cull cows were
characterised by higher live weight, carcass weights, and bone content, whereas,
young cull cows were characterised by higher carcass dressing values. In
addition, autumn was significantly associated with higher live weight, bone
content percentage, and processing loss, whereas, summer was associated with
higher carcass dressings and chilling loss. No significant differences were
observed in values of total meat yield and percentage and yields of valuable
cuttings. The present results may be useful for the evaluation of factors
influencing the decision to cull dairy cows.   

Keywords

Cull cow, retail cuts, carcass value, age at culling, environmental factors

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