The objective of this experiment was to compare the carcass characteristics of males weaned at two ages: 72 (T72) and 210 days (T210). Thirty-six 5/8 Hereford 3/8 Nellore calves, not castrated, finished in feedlot and slaughtered at 14 months of age, were used. No significant differences were observed between treatments for final weight (T72=424 kg and T210=406 kg), dressing percentage (T72=54.7% and T210=54.4%), hot carcass weight (T72=232 kg and T210=221 kg) and cold carcass weight (T72=224 kg and T210=214 kg). T72 carcasses showed better conformation (11.8 points vs 11.3 points) and higher sidecut percentage than T210, both having similar sawcut and hindquarter percentages. No significant differences were observed for carcass, leg and arm length, arm perimeter, cushion thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness (T72=4.6 mm and T210=4.2 mm). Results demonstrate that calves weaned at 72 days of age showed similar carcasses than calves weaned at 210 days, with adequate weight and fat thickness for slaughter.
early weaning; subcutaneus fat; Hereford; Nellore
