ABSTRACT We examined differences in slaughter performance and meat quality of Honghe yellow cattle of different ages. We randomly selected nine Honghe bulls for slaughter at 12 (12M), 36 (36M), and 60 (60M) months of age. There were significant differences in antemortem live weight, carcass weight, and net weight among the three groups, all of which increased with age. Backfat thickness in 36M (4.77±0.25 mm) and 60M (5.50±0.50 mm) was significantly higher than in 12M (3.00±0.00 mm), and the loin-eye area in 60M (68.02±16.02) was higher than in 12M (27.01±1.89). There was no significant difference in the pH value of the month-old group. Compared with 12M (29.33±4.93%) and 60M (23.87±5.08%), the cooking loss of meat in 36M (36.50±5.07%) was significantly higher; meanwhile, a* value was also the highest in 36M (22.39±1.34), the protein and fat content of muscle in 12M was lower, while the content of meat in 60M was lower. There was no significant difference in muscle ash, Ca, and P contents; the total amino acid and essential amino acid contents of 36M were higher than those of 12M and 60M, and the unsaturated fatty acids of meat in 12M were higher than those in 36M and 60M. The change of age has a certain influence on the slaughter performance and meat quality of Honghe yellow cattle.

Este artículo documenta la experiencia de China en la transformación de un sistema de producción de alimentos centralmente planificado a uno basado en el sistema de mercado. La reforma ha progresado en tres etapas: a) aumento de los precios agrícolas pagados por el Estado; b) introducción de los mecanismos de mercado; y c) avances hacia la realización total de operaciones de mercado. Esta serie de reformas incrementó la producción de alimentos y fortaleció la seguridad alimentaria nacional. Las reformas de precios agrícolas en China durante las  tres décadas pasadas sugieren que las políticas correctas y las instituciones son esenciales para resolver los problemas alimentarios.

This paper documents China’s experience of transforming its food production and commerce from a centrally planned regime to a market system. The reforms have progressed in three steps: (a) raising agricultural procurement prices, (b) introducing market mechanisms to replace state controls, and (c) moving towards complete market operations. This series of reforms boosted agricultural production, raised per capita consumption of food products, and strengthened national food security. Agricultural price reforms in China in the past three decades suggest that right policies and institutions are essential in solving its food problems.

Cet article est dédié à l’étude de la transformation connue par la production d’aliments en Chine comme conséquence du passage, d’un système de planification central, à un système de marché. Les dites réformes ont été menées en trois étapes: a) Augmentation des prix agricoles payés par l’État; b) introduction des mécanismes de marché; et c) avancements vers la réalisation totale des opérations sur la base des principes de marché. Cette transformation vers un système marchande a stimulé l’accroissement  de la production d’aliments. D’ailleurs, elle a renforcé la sécurité alimentaire nationale. Le bilan des réformes des prix agricoles en Chine pendant les trois dernières décennies montre que les politiques correctes et la performance des institutions sont des éléments essentiels pour résoudre les problèmes alimentaires.