This experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of steers of three genetic groups: Nellore (NN), ½ Guzerat × ½ Nellore (GN) and ½ Brahman × ½ Nellore (BN). Forty-one steers, 24 mo old, kept in pasture of Brachiaria grass. All animals were from the same herd and were raised under the same conditions and slaughtered at 3 years old. At the beginning of the experiment and at slaughter, Brahman-crossed animals were heavier than the animals from the other two groups. Means for body weight for the groups NN, GN and BN, were respectively, 324, 320 and 343 kg at the beginning of the experiment, and 474, 470 and 499 kg at slaughter. However, average daily gains were similar among the groups (0.388, 0.386 and 0.409 kg/d, respectively). Animals of BN group produced heavier hot carcasses (253 × 238 kg) than those obtained in the GN group, but these two groups did not differ from the NN group (242 kg). Percentages of muscle, fat and bones in the carcass were similar among the groups. Other carcass traits (dressing percentage, ribeye area, fat thickness and marbling) and meat tenderness, measured by a trained panel or by a texturometer were, also, similar among the three genetic groups. The crossing of other zebu breeds (Brahman or Guzerat) with Nellore did not improve quality characteristics of carcasses and meat; however, crossing with Brahman resulted in heavier animals with heavier carcasses.
Bos indicus; crossbreeding; meat; tenderness; Zebu
