CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ISTRIAN CATTLE IN BEEF PRODUCTION

Istarsko govedo jedna je od autohtonih ugroženih pasmina koja se nastoji reafirmirati kroz program proizvodnje kvalitetne i prepoznatljive govedine. Cilj istraživanja je utvrditi karakteristike muške junadi istarskog goveda u procesu tova kao i kvalitativne osobitosti trupova odnosno mesa. Utvrđeni prosječni dnevni prirast tijekom razdoblja tova je umjeren (1,032 kg/dan). Postignuta tjelesna masa u dobi dvanaest (387,7 kg), petnaest (470,5 kg) i osamnaest mjeseci (579,3 kg) ukazuje na povoljan kapacitet rasta istarskog goveda. U dobi od 25 mjeseci, završna klaonička masa je iznosila 768,0 kg. Prosječna masa toplih polovica iznosila je 426 kg a randman 55,46 %. Udio kostiju u obrađenom trupu iznosio je 26,41 %. Pokazatelji boje i pH ukazuju na neznatno tamniju boju mesa. Kemijska analiza mesa ukazuje na povoljan omjer zasićenih i nezasićenih masnih kiselina. Provedeno istraživanje ukazuje na povoljan kapacitet rasta i dobru kvalitetu mesa istarskog goveda. Aktualna populacija istarskog goveda u okviru provedbe programa gospodarske reafirmacije može postići dostatnu razinu konkurentnosti bez značajnijeg protežiranja tovnih odlika što olakšava provedbu primarnog konzervacijskog cilja, očuvanja genetske varijabilnosti.Istrian cattle is one of the endangered indigenous breed that attempts to reaffirm through the production of high quality beef and recognizable. The aim of the research is to determine the characteristics of male of young bulls of Istrian cattle in fattening period as well as qualitative characteristics of carcasses or meat. Determined daily gain during the fattening period was moderate (1.032 kg/day). Achieved body weight at the age of twelve (387.7 kg), fifteen (470.5 kg) and eighteen months (579.3 kg) indicates a favorable growth capacity of the Istrian cattle. In the age of 25 months, the final slaughtering weight was 768.0 kg. The average weight of hot carcasses was 426 kg and the dressing percentage 55.46%. The share of bones in carcass was 26.41%. Color and pH value indicate a slightly darker color of the beef meat. Chemical analysis of meat indicates a favorable ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The research indicates a favorable capacity of growth and good quality of meat of the Istrian cattle. The current population of the Istrian cattle in the implementation of economic reaffirmation can achieve an adequate level of competitiveness without significant prosthesis fattening characteristics which facilitates the implementation of the primary conservation goal, preservation of genetic variability