ABSTRACT - Twelve quantitative carcass traits of 162 Charolais (Ch), Caracu (Ca), 3/4Ca+1/4Ch, 3/4Ch+1/4Ca, 5/8Ca+3/8Ch and 5/8Ch+3/8Ca, born from 1988 to 1993, were analyzed. Averages for age at the beginning of the confinement period, initial weight, length of confinement period, final age and final weight were, respectively, 712 days, 362 kg, 99 days, 811 days and 489 kg. During the confinement period, the animals were fed corn silage ad libitum and a concentrate diet (79% TDN, 17,8% CP) offered on the basis of 1% LW/animal•day. The results showed that the groups Ch and Ca did not differ with respect to hot carcass weight (PCQ), dressing percentage (RCQ), side cut percentage (PEC), fat percentage (PEG) and weight of edible portion (PCC). Charolais animals were superior to Ca animals for Longissimus dorsi area (AML), conformation score and for the percentages of saw cut (PES) and lean tissue (PEM). Caracu animals showed higher fat thickness (EGC), and higher percentages of forequarter (PED) and bones (PEO) than those of the Ch group. There was heterotic response for PCQ, AML, conformation score, PCC and PED. The averages of the two-advanced crisscross Ch x Ca generations were higher than the parental averages for PCQ, AML, conformation score, PCC and PED. Rotational crossbreeding of Charolais and Caracu produces animals with superior carcass characteristics than the purebred Charolais and Caracu.
Charolais; Caracu; crossbreeding; carcass
