Quality of carcass and meat from young bulls of different genetic groups previously supplemented on pasture during the rainy season and finished in a feedlot

This study aimed to evaluate the carcass and meat quality of young bulls from different genetic groups supplemented on pasture during the rainy season and finished in a feedlot. The experiment was conducted in 2014, lasting 224 days, in Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil. The evaluated genetic groups were ½Brangus½Nellore, Nellore, and ½Canchim½Nellore. The animals underwent two experimental phases: in the first phase, they received mineral and mineral-energy supplementation on pasture; in the second phase, they were finished in a feedlot, where the residual effect of supplementation on carcass and meat quality was evaluated. ½Brangus½Nellore animals showed increases in slaughter weight of 48.40 and 44.60 kg compared to Nellore and ½Canchim½Nellore, respectively. Mineral-energy supplementation resulted in increased carcass weight and special cuts. The highest marbling score was obtained for ½Canchim½Nellore animals. However, in the meat chemical composition, no effects of genetic groups and supplementation were observed. Thus, despite the lower carcass weight and lower marbling degree, Nellore breed, when receiving mineral supplementation, shows greater potential for meat production in tropical climate regions, as it produces meat with similar quality to other genetic groups.