Performance of Boran and Crossbred Cattle for Beef Production Under Ranching Conditions in Tanzania. 2. Weight at Slaughter and Carcass Measurements

Abstract

Steers reared in a beef cattle crossbreeding experiment carried out in two ranches in central Tanzania were slaughtered at an average age slightly above four years. The genetic groups represented were purebred Boran and crosses out of Boran cows mated to bulls of 12 exotic breeds. The steers were weighed prior to slaughter, and the carcasses were weighed and measured. A joint of the tenth rib was dissected into lean, fat and bone, and each fraction weighed. Various fractions of internal organs were also recorded separately. Crossbred steers yielded on average about 14 percent heavier carcasses than pure Boran. Among the crosses no significant differences in carcass weight according to breed of sire were observed. The heaviest carcasses were from steers·sired by Chianina bulls. Carcasses of Boran steers were shorter-and had more fat and slightly less bone on the 10th rib joint than carcasses of crosses. Steers sired by British beef or Simmental bulls were fatter than steers by Limousin or Piedmont bulls. Piedmont crosses were the lowest in both subcutaneous (10th rib) and internal (heart and kidney) fat, and had the highest amount of lean in the 10th rib joint. Research on beef crossbreeding in Tanzania should be directed more towards -Viability and reproductive performance rather than carcass quality.

Keywords: Crossbreeding, Boran, Bas taurus, beef, carcass measurements

Tanzania J.Agric.Sc. (2006) Vol.7 No.2 105 -110