TI 07. Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) vs. Zebu-type cattle. Slaughter characteristics of entire males

Abstract

Thirty-three whole male water buffaloes of Murrah predominance and 18 Zebu type bulls (cattle) were savannah-fed on the same ranch to be compared as to slaughter characteristics at different Venezuelan grades. Slaughter weight ranged from shrinkage 435-512 kg for buffaloes and 375-494 kg. for cattle. Head, hide, feet, blood, genitals, warm carcass weight, cooler shrinkage, gastrointestinal tract without content, liver and pluck percentages were calculated. Differences between species in percent head, cooler shrinkage, feet, blood and genitals were not significant. Buffaloes of predominantly Murrah breeding had significantly heavier hides, larger gastrointestinal tract and higher (P<.05) percent of pluck and organ fat than the predominantly Zebu cattle. Animals graded as B dressed 2.35% higher and yielded a greater proportion of pluck (+0.12 %) than those of the C grade (P<.05), showing an advantage in the wholesale trade. A significant specie x grade interaction was detected for percent head, abomasum and mesenteric fat. It was concluded that the advantage in dressing percent (+6.51 %) of cattle over buffaloes is mainly due to lighter hides and the lower percentages of live weight removed as gastrointestinal tract and content.