Effect of diet composition and slaughter weight on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acid composition in veal calves

Abstract

The effect of true milk use in the diet of Spanish Brown Swiss male calves on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acids composition was studied. In experiment 1, the effect of milk intake [ad libitum continuous (ADLIB) feed vs. restricted 0.7 during 75 days followed by ad libitum feed (RESTR)] and slaughter endpoint (225 kg vs. 5 month) were studied. In experiment 2, ad libitum concentrate feeding [grain-fed (GF)] was compared with milk supplementation until slaughter [milk-fed (MF)] in calves slaughtered at 345 kg. As regards to milk intake, carcass weight and degree of fatness were higher in the ADLIB group (P < 0.05). The RESTR group revealed a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, the MF group exhibited a higher fat percentage (P < 0.05), lower press and cooking losses (P < 0.05), and higher scores for tenderness and juiciness (P < 0.05) than the GF group. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher in the MF group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that true milk use in veal production could be an advantageous alternative in terms on production costs, animal performance, and carcass and meat quality.