Aspects of Bos indicus Selection for Meet Production

Authors

  • Lúcia Galvão de Albuquerque Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, SP
  • Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do Estado de São Paulo, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro Avançado de Pesquisa Tecnológica do Agronegócio de Bovinos de Corte, Nova Odessa, SP
  • Joanir Pereira Eler Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP

Keywords:

carcass traits, growth traits, reproduction traits, heritage, genetic change

Abstract

Bos indicus is the scientific name for humped cattle, synonym of Zebu. These animals are adapted to tropical conditions and are one of the most maternal beef cattle breeds. However, they have high age at puberty, moderate growth rate and adult weight and less tender meat than Bos taurus. Heifer pregnancy close to 14 months of age is the selection criterious indicated to decrease age at puberty. Concerning growth, the challenge is to match the mature cow weight to pasture rearing conditions and the steer carcasses to market demands. Meat tenderness genetic variability exists but, the costs and difficulties of obtaining the phenotypic data for a selection program need to be evaluated. Selection of Zebu cattle is the main point for tropical countries to meet actual World demands for meat produced under animal welfare and food safety. Suche conditions to achied with objective cambe large beef cattle population, genetic variability and technology.

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Published

2007-04-22

Issue

Section

ANIMAL BREEDING

How to Cite

Aspects of Bos indicus Selection for Meet Production. (2007). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 64(4), 339-348. http://bia.iz.sp.gov.br/index.php/bia/article/view/1225

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