CARACTERÍSTICAS DE CARCAÇA E BIOMETRIA TESTICULAR DE MACHOS BOVINOS SUPERJOVENS NÃO CASTRADOS DE DIFERENTES GRUPOS GENÉTICOS

The objective of this work was to evaluate carcass characteristics and testicular biometry of non-castrated Hereford (H), 3/4H 1/4 Nellore (N), 5/8H 3/8N and 3/4 Charolais (C) 1/4 N males, slaughtered at fourteen months of age. No statistical difference occurred among genetic groups for final and carcasses weights and dressing percentages. The sawcut yield was higher in 3/4CN than other genotypes. Ribcut yield was higher for 5/8HN in relation to 3/4HN and 3/4CN. Longissimus dorsi area was higher for 3/4CN (71.5 cm2) animals in relation to Hereford (63.5 cm2). Hereford animals also showed lower leg length than all other groups. The 3/4CN males showed lower (2.6 mm) subcutaneous fat thickness than Hereford (5.0 mm), 5/8HN (4.1 mm) and 3/4HN (4.1 mm) ones. In conclusion, all genetic groups get compatible carcass characteristics for young cattle market. Besides, muscular development related characteristics, such as conformation and sawcut yield, were better in Charolais crossbred genotype, while characteristics related to fat deposition, such as fat thickness and ribcut yield, were better in Hereford and crossbred Hereford genotypes.