Abstract

Selection for and against susceptibility to bloat in herds of Friesian-Jersey crossbred cattle at Ruakura has resulted in cattle of high (HS) and low (LS) susceptibility. Forty one HS and 41 LS animals including 44 cows and 38 bulls were slaughtered between 1985 and 1987 and weights of carcass components and some body organs measured. LS animals had a significantly higher proportion of bone weight and lower eye muscle area, proportions of hindquarter weight and saleable meat in the carcass than did HS animals. This was offset by a 14% heavier hot carcass weight (HCW) in LS animals. Weights of heart and kidney, adjusted for HCW, were higher and those of mandibular glands were lower, for LS than HS animals. There were no differences between HS and LS herds in adjusted weights of liver, lungs and parotid glands.

RS, Morris

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 48, , 117-126, 1988