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Impact of dietary concentrates on young Nellore and crossbred (Angus x Nellore) Bulls finished in a feedlot: I. Intake, performance, and meat quality

Edilane Costa Martins , Lucas Freires Abreu , Leandro Lopes, Ramon Alvarenga, Afonso Oliveira, Fernando Souza , Luciano Soares de Lima , Jason Rowntree, Ângela Lana

Abstract

Context: The crossbreeding of Bos taurus taurus × Bos taurus indicus cattle have become a valuable alternative for improving performance and carcass quality. In addition, the production system adopted and the diets provided can not only improve animal performance but also generate a product with characteristics that are more attractive to consumers. Aims: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the dry matter intake , performance, and meat quality of Nellore (purebred) and crossbred (Angus vs. Nellore) fed with two levels of concentrate (65 and 85 %). Methods: Forty-eight young bulls of similar age (18 mo ± 2 mo) were separated in four groups based on breed and diet: Group 1 NEL 65% (n=12; initial body weight (IBW): 415.66 kg ± 21.82kg), Group 2: NEL 85% (n=11; IBW 416.23 kg ± 21.96 kg), Group 3: AN 65% (n=12; IBW 458.13 kg ± 24.59 kg), Group 4: AN 85% (n=13; IBW 463.54 kg ± 26.06 kg). The young bulls stayed on trial for 105 days (21 days for adaptation and 84 finishing) and were all slaughtered at the same. Key results: The crossbred animals showed greater average body weight, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, and average daily gain in carcass. There was no difference between breed or diet (P>0.05) in DMI. The diet or breed did not affect the tenderness but did affect the color. Conclusions: Even though there is no difference between breeds in the DMI, crossbred animals presented better performance compared to Nellore. Both breeds showed a lighter color meat , although the meat of crossbred animals was lighter, in both diets, when compared to the NEL fed 85% diet. Moreover, the use of crossbreed Angus × Nellore is a valuable strategy to improve performance and meat quality in a tropical area. Implications: The superior growth performance and hot carcass weight of crossbred animals support crossbreeding as a strategy to improve beef production efficiency. Nellore animals’ meat was as tender as crossbred, which might be associated with a greater presence of proteolytic enzymes in the AN carcass due to a genetic presence of Bos indicus in the evaluated F1 AN animals, resulting in no breed differences. Although diet and breed influenced meat color, a trait associated with favorable consumer perception, where AN animals presented a lighter meat. These findings suggest that performance can be achieved alongside desirable quality attributes. However, future research may search for a crossbreeding threshold level for meat tenderness

AN24388  Accepted 05 October 2025

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