Body composition in mature Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica suckler cows

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to study the body composition of mature females from two breeds of suckler cattle (Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica) with different origin and purpose. In Exp. 1, body condition score (BCS) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were measured in 64 cows in a 2x2 factorial arrangement (Parda de Montaña vs. Pirenaica breed and dry vs. lactating cows). SFT was similar across genotypes (P>0.05) but physiological stage affected this trait (P<0.05). SFT values were concomitant with BCS, allowing moderately good predictions of the former parameter from the latter. In Exp. 2, 16 mature dry cows, 8 per breed, were slaughtered and some fat depots, together with carcass and non-carcass characteristics were evaluated. No differences were found in any of the in vivo (SFT) or post-mortem (omental, kidney knob and channel fat) measured fat depots (P>0.05). Carcass weights (hot and cold) and dressing percentages (slaughter and commercial) as well as the weight of some metabolically active organs (liver, spleen and kidney) and hide were similar across breeds (P>0.05). The previous traits revealed no differences in the body composition of Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica cattle breeds, highlighting the parallel trajectory of selection for meat production in both genotypes over the last years.