Holstein and Angus Crossbreeding on Feedlot: Impacts on Metabolism, Ruminal Fermentation, Performance, and Meat Quality

The use of crossbreeding between dairy and beef breeds has been adopted as a strategy to add value to male calves from dairy systems, improve productive efficiency, and reduce economic and animal welfare concerns. This study evaluated the effects of Holstein × Angus crossbreeding on productive performance, metabolism, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid profile during the feedlot finishing phase. Twenty-four uncastrated male cattle (8 Holstein, 8 Angus, and 8 crossbreds) were confined for 130 days and fed an isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diet. No significant differences were observed among breeds for weight gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, or nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). However, Angus and crossbred cattle showed higher carcass yield compared to Holstein cattle (p ≤ 0.05). Angus and crossbred animals presented higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate in the rumen (p ≤ 0.05). Breed differences were also observed in erythrocyte indices and serum urea concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). Meat from crossbred animals showed superior quality attributes compared to Holstein, including lower ultimate pH, higher lightness, greater water-holding capacity, and an intermediate lipid profile between the parental breeds (p ≤ 0.05). It is concluded that Holstein × Angus crossbreeding improves carcass yield, ruminal fermentation efficiency, and meat quality, without compromising productive performance, representing a viable strategy for adding value to male calves from dairy herds under tropical production conditions.