Bionutritional efficiency of crossbred beef cattle finished on feedlot andslaughtered at different body weights

The objective of this study was to assess the bionutritional efficiency of crossbred F1 Red Angus × Nellore (½ RA ½ N) and F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nellore (½ BA ½ N) young bulls finished on feedlot and slaughtered at 480, 520 and 560 kg body weight. A completely randomized experimental design in a 2 × 3 (genetic group × slaughter weight) factorial arrangement with six replicates was used. The ½ BA ½ N young bulls showed higher kidney, pelvic and inguinal fat (KPIF, kg and % BW) and lower multivariate biological nutritional index (MBNI) and residual feed intake than ½ RA ½ N young bulls. The young bulls slaughtered at heavier weight had larger ribeye area (cm²), fat thickness over the 12-13th rib, fat thickness over the rump, KPIF (kg and % BW), dry matter intake (DMI, kg/d), net energy intake (MJ/d) and metabolizable protein intake (g/d), and MBNI compared to young bulls slaughtered at lighter weight. Furthermore, the ½ BA ½ N young bulls slaughtered at 480 kg had lower feed conversion than the others. On the other hand, the average daily weight gain (kg/d), DMI (% BW and g/BW0.75), feed efficiency and Kleiber ratio did not differ between genetic group, slaughter weight and genetic group versus slaughter weight interaction. Therefore, crossbred F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nellore young bulls and animals slaughtered at lighter weights are more bionutritionally efficient in the finishing phase on feedlot