ABSTRACT The objective was to group and characterize Zebu cattle carcasses according to sex. Data from 15,002 carcasses of cattle raised in the semiarid region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were used. The carcass characteristics analyzed were weight, conformation, subcutaneous fat, number of permanent incisor teeth (PIT), and sex (uncastrated males, castrated males, females (up to six PIT), and cows (eight PIT)). Cluster analysis was applied to establish the relationship between sex and carcass characteristics. Four clusters were identified according to sex, and 60% of the total variance in the data set is explained by the clusters. Uncastrated males appear together in a single group (Cluster 1), which demonstrates homogeneity in their carcass characteristics. The heaviest group was Cluster 1. The castrated males appear in three groups, some of them (33.58%) grouped with the majority of cows (92.85%), which indicates that these carcasses did not achieve the quality required by the industry. Another part of the castrated males (41.84%) presented characteristics required by the industry. The females appear in all clusters. Except for uncastrated males and cows, the effect of sex (castrated males and females) on the carcass characteristics of Zebu cattle from the semiarid region of the Minas Gerais does not assure similar characteristics. Therefore, the improvement of carcass quality, using castration as the central grading criterion, should be reviewed not to overemphasize this item.

RESUMO O conhecimento da prevalência da cisticercose bovina é importante para a implementação de programas de controle. Objetivou-se avaliar a prevalência e a distribuição geográfica de cisticercose bovina no Norte de Minas Gerais. Para isso, avaliou-se 14556 bovinos durante a inspeção federal post mortem provenientes de 27 municípios de cinco microrregiões: Janaúba, Montes Claros, Januária, Pirapora e Bocaiúva. A prevalência de Cysticercus bovis foi de 1,03% e está distribuída geograficamente em todas as microrregiões avaliadas do Norte de Minas Gerais avaliadas. Todos os municípios com número amostral de bovinos abatidos acima de 543 apresentaram animais positivos para cisticercose. As microrregiões de Bocaiúva, Montes Claros, Janaúba, Januária e Pirapora apresentaram prevalência de cisticercose de 2,11%, 1,17%, 1,01%, 0,90% e 0,56%, respectivamente. As microrregiões de Montes Claros e Januária apresentaram maior chance de se encontrar bovinos positivos para cisticercose. Como há casos positivos de cisticercose em todas as microrregiões avaliadas, há risco a saúde dos seres humanos.

ABSTRACT The knowledge of the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis is important for the implementation of control programs. The objective was to evaluate the prevalence and geographical distribution of bovine cysticercosis in Northern Minas Gerais. For that, 14,556 cattle were evaluated during the federal post-mortem inspection in 27 municipalities of five microregions: Janaúba, Montes Claros, Januária, Pirapora and Bocaiúva. The prevalence of Cysticercus bovis was 1.03% with distribution in all microregions evaluated of the northern Minas Gerais. All municipalities with a sampling number of cattle slaughtered above 543 showed positive animals for cysticercosis. The microregions of Bocaiúva, Montes Claros, Janaúba, Januária and Pirapora presented a prevalence of cysticercosis at 2.11%, 1.17%, 1.01%, 0.90% and 0.56%, respectively. The microregions of Montes Claros and Januária presented a greater chance of finding positive cattle for cysticercosis. As there are positive cases of cysticercosis in all microregions evaluated, there is a risk to human health.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass and meat characteristics of lambs fed a solution of cheese whey plus water (100 g kg−1 dry matter) (CW) during feedlot and pre-slaughter lairage. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial (place – feedlot and slaughterhouse, food – water or CW). We evaluated the following treatments (feedlot/slaughterhouse): CW/CW, CW/water, water/CW, and control (water/water). The lambs were given a balanced diet for 70 days in the feedlot. Slaughter started 12 h after the animals arrived at the slaughterhouse. Dry matter intake, gain-to-feed ratio, average daily gain, and body weight of lambs fed CW were similar to those of control lambs. The water/CW group consumed less of this solution than the CW/CW group in the slaughterhouse. The CW supplied as a pre-slaughter supplement reduces the drip losses of lamb carcasses provided that the animals also consume it during the feedlot period. The other carcass characteristics (carcass weight, pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and ribeye area) were similar among treatments. The meat characteristics (color, water holding capacity, cooking losses, and shear force) were similar among treatments. Whey cheese added to water can be used as an ingredient of the diet for lambs and as pre-slaughter supplement, since it does not change performance and improves carcass characteristics.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass and meat characteristics of lambs fed a solution of crude glycerin plus water (100 g kg−1 of dry matter) (GLY) during feedlot and pre-slaughter lairage. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial (GLY available or not in feedlot and GLY available or not in the slaughterhouse). We evaluated the following treatments (feedlot/slaughterhouse): GLY/GLY, GLY/water, water/GLY, and water/water (control). Lambs fed a balanced diet for 70 days in the feedlot. Slaughter started 12 h after the animals arrived at the slaughterhouse. Dry matter intake, feed conversion, average daily gain, and body weight of lambs fed GLY were similar to those of control lambs. Lambs receiving GLY ingested more water in the feedlot. At the slaughterhouse, water/GLY animals ingested more glycerin and water than GLY/water animals ingested water. Group GLY/GLY had lower drip loss in carcasses than the group GLY/water. The other carcass and meat characteristics (carcass weight, pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, ribeye area, color, water holding capacity, cooking losses, and shear force) were similar among treatments. Solution of crude glycerin plus water can be used as a dietary ingredient for lambs, since it improves hydration and does not change performance and carcass characteristics. This solution supplied as a pre-slaughter supplement does not improve carcass and meat characteristics.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of crude glycerin (CG) supplied separately from the other dietary ingredients to goats during the feedlot and in the pre-slaughter lairage on the nutrient intake, performance, behavioral and physiological parameters, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Twenty-eight uncastrated male goats from a cross between the Boer breed and mixed-breed goats were used in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, consisting of the feedlot with or without CG inclusion in the diets (96.90 g kg-1 DM) and the pre-slaughter lairage, also with or without the ingredient. In the feedlot, goats fed CG had a lower intake of dry matter and nutrients. Crude glycerin intake reduced the weight gain and body weight of goats and increased feed conversion. Weights of carcass and cuts (leg, loin, ribs, and shoulder) were lower when the animals consumed CG in the feedlot. In pre-slaughter lairage, concentrations of cortisol were lower when the animals consumed CG. Characteristics of carcass and meat (pH, color, water holding capacity, cooking loss, and shear force) were not changed by the supply of CG during the pre-slaughter. When supplied during the feedlot period and separately from the other dietary ingredients, CG negatively affected the performance and carcass characteristics of goats without changing meat quality. In the pre-slaughter lairage, CG intake lowers the cortisol level and does not change the behavioral parameters or carcass and meat characteristics of goats.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o ganho em peso e as características de carcaça e carne de ovelhas de descarte mantidas em pasto de Panicum maximum, cultivar Massai, consumindo diferentes teores de concentrado. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado e as fêmeas foram distribuídas em quatro tratamentos, zero; 0,7; 1,4 e 2,1% do seu peso vivo em suplementação concentrada. Ao final de oitenta dias de experimento no campo, as fêmeas foram abatidas. Mediu-se o ganho em peso dos animais e as características das carcaças e das carnes. Os dados foram interpretados após análises de variância e regressão (P<0,0500). O ganho em peso máximo foi obtido com a ingestão de 1,49% de concentrado em função do peso vivo, ponto próximo no qual se obteve melhor conversão alimentar. Contudo, a relação custo benefício foi melhor com a ingestão próxima a 0,62% de concentrado em função do peso vivo. As carcaças não apresentaram modificações e o ganho em peso corporal foi obtido em gordura nas vísceras. As carnes apresentaram menor pH final quando as ovelhas consumiram mais concentrado. As perdas durante o cozimento foram menores com a ingestão de 2,0% do peso vivo em concentrado proteico. As carnes de todos os tratamentos foram consideradas macias, contudo, a sua coloração encontrou-se no limite inferior da faixa normal da espécie.

This work was carried out in order to evaluate weight gain and carcass and meat traits of culling ewes kept on grass Panicum maximum cultivar Massai, consuming different levels of concentrate. The design was entirely at random and females were distributed into four treatments, zero, 0.7, 1.4 and 2.1% of its body weight in concentrate supplementation consumed. The females were slaughtered at eighty days of the experiment. We measured the weight gain of animals and carcass and meat traits. The data were interpreted after analysis of variance and regression (P < 0.0500). The maximum weight gain was observed with intake of 1.49% concentrate as a function of body weight, point closed to which it was obtained the best feed conversion. However, the cost benefit was better with intake of 0.62% concentrate depending on the body weight. Carcasses did not show changes, and the gain in body weight was obtained in visceral fat. Meat showed lower ultimate pH and lower losses during cooking when the culling ewes consumed more concentrates. All treatments possessed tender meats, however, its color was found in the bottom limit of the normal range of specie.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características de carcaça e da carne de novilhas ¾ Zebu x Holandês submetidas a dieta com substituição da silagem de sorgo por silagem de capim-marandu. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos consistiram da substituição da fração volumosa da dieta de 100, 70 e 30% de silagem de sorgo por, respectivamente, 100, 70 e 30% de silagem de capim-marandu. Foi adicionado concentrado na proporção de 1,2% de peso corporal, e as dietas foram isoproteicas. A substituição da silagem de sorgo pela silagem de capim-marandu aumentou a perda de água por cozimento até o ponto máximo de 49,98% de substituição, elevou a força de cisalhamento e a capacidade de retenção de água da carne, mas não influenciou os pesos e os rendimentos das carcaças, os percentuais de cortes, as medidas de carcaça, a área de olho de lombo, o pH das carcaças, a espessura de gordura e as características de cor de músculo e gordura. A substituição da silagem de sorgo por silagem de capim-marandu diminui o ganho de peso de corpo vazio e reduz a maciez da carne de novilhas ¾ Zebu x Holandês, mas não afeta as características quantitativas da carcaça.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality of ¾ Zebu x Holstein heifers subjected to a diet with the substitution of sorghum silage by marandu grass silage. A completely randomized experimental design was used. Treatments consisted of replacing the bulky fraction of the diet of 100, 70, and 30% of sorghum silage by, respectively, 100, 70, and 30% of marandu grass silage. Concentrate was added in the proportion of 1.2% of live weight, and diets were isoproteic. The substitution of sorghum silage by marandu grass silage increased water loss by cooking to the maximum point of 49.98% of substitution, elevated average shear force and water holding capacity of meat, but did not influence carcass weight and yield, cut percentiles, carcass measures, loin eye area, pH of carcasses, fat thickness, and characteristics of muscle and fat color. The substitution of sorghum silage by marandu grass silage decreases the gain of empty body weight and reduces the tenderness of meat from ¾ Zebu x Holstein heifers, but does not affect quantitative carcass traits.

Objetivou-se com o trabalho avaliar o desempenho ponderal de dois genótipos de ovinos, Santa Inês e F1 Dorper x Santa Inês em pastagem de Panicum maximum cv. Massai. Foram utilizados oito fêmeas e oito machos, de cada genótipo, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x2x2 (dois genótipos, dois sexos e duas idades de abate). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância com aplicação do teste de Scot-Knott com probabilidade de 5%. Avaliaram-se peso ao nascimento, peso a desmama, peso final, ganho de peso médio diário e ganho de peso total. Houve efeito significativo do genótipo para peso ao nascimento e peso a desmama com os cordeiros Dorper x Santa Inês superiores. Para peso final não houve diferença significativa, pois o ganho de peso do desmame ao abate foi superior para o genótipo Santa Inês. Para ganho de peso total o efeito do genótipo foi importante visto que o F1 Dorper x Santa Inês foi superior ao Santa Inês, enquanto o ganho de peso médio final foi igual para os dois genótipos avaliados. O efeito de sexo não foi significativo para nenhuma das características avaliadas. Não houve diferença entre peso final, ganho de peso médio diário e ganho de peso total nas diferentes idades de abate. A utilização da raça Dorper não refletiu maior retorno quando se mantém seus produtos em sistemas exclusivamente a pasto. Há necessidade de estudos bioeconômicos para verificar a aplicabilidade desta prática na região Norte de Minas Gerais.

This work was carried out in order to evaluate the daily weight gain of two sheep genotypes, Santa Inês and F1 Dorper x Santa Inês. Eight females and eight males from each genotype, were used, in a entirely randomized design, in a factorial scheme 2 x 2 x 2 (two genotypes, two sexes and two slaughter ages). Data were submitted to analysis of variance with application of the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The birth weight, wean weight, final weight, average daily weight gain and total weight gain were evaluated. There was significant effect of genotype for birth weight and wean weight with superior Dorper x Santa Inês lambs. There was no significant difference for final weight, since weight gain from wean to slaughter was superior for Santa Inês genotype. For total weight gain, the effect of the genotype was important because F1 Dorper x Santa Inês was superior to, while daily weight gain was equal for the two evaluated genotypes. Sex effect was not significant for any evaluated characteristic. There was no difference between final weight, average daily weight gain and total weight gain for different slaughter ages. The use of Dorper breed did not reflect greater return when is intended to keep its products in systems exclusively for pasture. Bioeconomic studies are necessary for verifying applicability of that practice in the North of Minas Gerais.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito do peso sobre as relações das medidas de comprimento padrão de tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Avaliaram-se as medidas: comprimento da cabeça; altura do corpo, medida à frente do 1° raio das nadadeiras peitoral, dorsal, anal e caudal; largura do corpo, medida à frente da inserção do 1º raio das nadadeiras peitoral, dorsal e anal; perímetro, medido à frente da inserção do 1° raio das nadadeiras peitoral, dorsal e anal; e menor circunferência do pedúnculo; e os rendimentos de carcaça, filé, cabeça, nadadeira, pele, vísceras e resíduos. Foram utilizados 80 tilápias, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (faixas de peso 250 a 300 g; 350 a 400 g; 450 a 500 g, 550 a 600 g) e 20 repetições, considerando o peixe a unidade experimental. As menores variações nas características morfométricas foram observadas na faixa de peso de 450 a 600 g em comparação à faixa de 250 a 400 g. Nas faixas de peso 250 a 300 g, 350 a 400 g, 450 a 500 g e 550 a 600 g, não houve diferenças nos rendimentos de carcaça e filé e nas porcentagens de cabeça, nadadeira, pele e resíduos. A porcentagem de vísceras na faixa de peso 550 a 600 g (10,98%) foi significativamente inferior à obtida nas faixas de 250 a 300 g (12,77%), 350 a 400 g (13,26%) e 450 a 500 g (12,69%). O peso do filé na faixa de peso 350 a 400 g (260,50 g) foi superior ao da faixa de 250 a 300 g (239,95 g). Não houve diferença no peso do filé entre as faixas de peso 450 a 500 g (284,20 g) e 550 a 600 g (292,80 g). As faixas de peso de 450 a 500 g e 550 a 600 g apresentaram valores superiores de peso do filé em comparação às de 250 a 300 g e 350 a 400 g. Considerando o peso do filé, o peso ideal de abate da tilápia é de 450 a 500 g no intervalo de peso de 250 a 600 g.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of weight categories on the relation of the measures of standard length; length of the head; height of the body measured at the front of the 1° ray of pectoral, dorsal, anal and tail fins; width of the body measured at the front of the insertion of 1º ray of pectoral, dorsal and anal fins; perimeter measured at the front of the insertion of the 1° ray of pectoral, dorsal and anal fins and minor circumference of the peduncle and yield of carcass, filet, head, fin, skin, viscera and residues of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Eighty tilapia were used, in a completely randomized design, with four treatments (weight categories 250 the 300 g; 350 the 400 g; 450 the 500 g and 550 the 600 g) and 20 replications. Each fish was considered an experimental unit. The Nile tilapia presented minors variations in the morphometric characteristics in the weight category 450 to 600 g, when compared with the category 250 to 400 g. The weight category 250 the 300 g, 350 the 400 g, 450 the 500 g and 550 the 600 g provided the same yield of carcass, filet and percentages of head, fin, skin and residues. The percentage of viscera in the 550 the 600 g category (10.98%) was significantly lower when compared to 250 the 300 g (12.77%), 350 the 400 g (13.26%) and 450 the 500 g (12.69%). The weight of filet in the 350 the 400 g category (260.50 g) was higher than the 250 the 300 g category (239.95 g). There was no difference in the weight of fillet between the 450 the 500 g category (284.20 g) and 550 the 600 g (292.80 g). The category 450 the 500 g and 550 the 600 g presented higher values of weight of fillet when compared to 250 the 300 g and 350 the 400 g. According to the weight of fillet found, the ideal weight of slaughter of the tilapia is between 450 and 500 g in a range of 250-600 g.

Objetivou-se avaliar o ganho de peso e as características de carcaça de bovinos Nelore, castrados ou não-castrados, terminados em confinamento. Utilizaram-se 36 animais com 24 meses de idade e peso vivo médio inicial de 445,30 (não-castrados) ou 449,57 kg (castrados aos 400 kg de peso corporal). Os animais foram abatidos aos 50 dias de confinamento, quando atingiram peso vivo médio de 516,30 (não-castrados) e 506,86 kg (castrados). Os animais não-castrados não tiveram aumento no peso vivo final, mas apresentaram maior ganho de peso (1,42 e 1,15 kg). Os pesos de carcaça quente (272,77 e 261,89 kg) e carcaça fria (266,13 e 258,24 kg) não diferiram entre animais não-castrados e castrados. Animais não-castrados apresentaram maior rendimento de carcaça quente (52,88 vs 51,65% para os não-castrados), todavia, o rendimento de carcaça fria foi similar entre os grupos (51,55 e 52,39%), em virtude da menor quebra ao resfriamento nos animais castrados (2,43 e 1,40%). Os pesos absolutos de traseiro especial (133,07 e 131,55 kg), dianteiro (105,65 e 100,09 kg) e ponta-de-agulha (27,41 e 26,60 kg) não diferiram entre animais não-castrados e castrados, mas os pesos relativos de traseiro dos animais castrados foram maiores que dos não-castrados (50,93 vs 50,00%). O contrafilé dos animais não-castrados foi mais pesado que o dos castrados (8,41 vs 7,90 kg). A espessura de gordura (2,05 vs 2,21 mm) e a área de olho-de-lombo (66,98 vs 67,48 cm²) não diferiram entre animais não-castrados e castrados. O pH na carcaça fria em tempos predeterminados até o estabelecimento do rigor mortis também é semelhante entre animais não-castrados e castrados. Animais não-castrados e castrados têm peso de carcaça satisfatório, porém não apresentam acabamento mínimo de 3 mm de gordura, quando confinados por 50 dias com dieta à base de cana-de-açúcar e concentrado. Para adequação do acabamento, a dieta dos animais deve ser balanceada com maior nível energético.

The objective of this work was to evaluate weight gain and carcass characteristics Nellore cattle, castrated or non-castrated, finished in confinement. It was used Thirty six animals with 24 months old and initial 445.30 kg BW (non-castrated) or 449.57 kg BW (castrated at 400 kg BW). The animals were slaughtered at 50 days of confinement, when reached 516.30 kg BW (non-castrated) and 506.86 kg BW (castrated). Non-castrated animals did not have an increase in final BW, but showed higher weight gain (1.42 and 1.15 kg). Hot carcass weight (272.77 and 261.89 kg) and cold carcass weight (266.13 and 258.24 kg) did not differ between non-castrated and castrated animals. Non-castrated animals showed higher hot carcass yield (52.88 vs. 51.65%) however, cold carcass yield was similar between groups (51.55 and 52.39%), due to smaller chilling loss in castrated animals (2.43 vs. 1.40%). Special hindquarter absolute weights (133.07 and 131.55 kg), forequarter (105.65 and 100.09 kg) and spare ribs (27.41 and 26.60 kg) did not differ between non-castrated and castrated animals. Forequarter relative values castrated animals were higher than the non-castrated (50.93 versus 50.00%). The striploin of non-castrated animals was heavier than that of castrated (8.41 vs. 7.90 kg). Fat thickness (2.05 vs. 2.21 mm) and loin eye area (66.98 versus 67.48 cm²) did not differ between non-castrated and castrated animals. Cold carcass pH in predetermined time until setting of rigor mortis is also similar between and non-castrated and castrated animals. Non-castrated and castrated animals have satisfactory carcass weight, but have not fat thickness less than 3 mm, when confined for 50 days with diet based on sugar cane and concentrate. To match the fat thickness, the diet of the animals must be balanced with higher energy level.