In two trials, Holstein (HF) dairy cows were bred to Angus (AA) cattle . Angus is considered an early-maturing, medium-sized beef breed well-suited for extensive fattening and with good internal meat quality. Simmental (FL) steers served as a control group . In trial I, the cattle were fattened on a grass silage-hay ration with 1 kg of concentrate. In trial II, the animals were fattened on short-grass pasture and then finished in the barn. Slaughter took place at a live weight of 400 kg.
in daily weight gain could be found between HF×AA and FL, the gains were numerically higher in the HF×AA oxen. HF×AA tended to consume more feed than FL. Feed conversion was slightly less efficient in the HF×AA group.
In terms of carcass performance , HF×AA performed slightly worse than FL, with HF×AA heifers in particular lagging behind FL steers. HF×AA carcasses had slightly less muscle development, and the EUROP meat grade, dressing percentage, and proportion of valuable cuts tended to be marginally lower. HF×AA had a slightly higher fat marbling, which also had a positive effect on internal meat quality . In meat tasting and meat quality analyses (tenderness, intramuscular fat, etc.), the meat of HF×AA cattle showed better quality than FV.
This new fattening method can contribute to the preservation of grassland and cultural landscapes and to reducing calf exports . Consumers will appreciate this type of meat production, which boasts excellent production and product quality . Currently, there is no comparable product on the Austrian meat market. Direct marketers could implement this new beef product immediately. However, since this product does not fit into existing Austrian branded meat programs, marketing partners along the value chain would be necessary for its market establishment.