Growth, Carcass, Organ Characteristics and Meat Quality of Crossbred Steers from Kalmyk Cows and Kalmyk, Simmental, Hereford, and Kazakh White Headed Bulls

Crossbred 7-month old steers from Kalmyk cows bred to Kalmyk (I, control), Simmental (II), Hereford (III), or Kazakh white-headed (IV) bulls were housed and fed under the same conditions. The bulls used were all classed as Elite. The feeding rate was intense. Steers in all groups were raised in the feedlot throughout the year. Growth rate of the crossbred steers was greater than the purebred steers. This was reflected in higher yields of the most valuable parts of the carcasses, the rump and saddle. Simmental crosses were distinguished by the lower fat content of their muscle tissue compared to the purebred Kalmyk steers and crossbred steers in groups III and IV. However, the differences in the energy value of the muscles analyzed was insignificant (P>0.05). We revealed a comparatively high biological value of flesh from steers in all groups. The moisture retention capacity ranged from 63.75 to 64.12% due to intramuscular fat in the meat. The pH value of the beef samples in all studied groups was at the optimal level.