Supplementing calves on deferred native grasslands during their first winter, helps overcoming the nutritive deficits which occur during this season. However, the demand of both qualification and availability of labour may restrain its adoption. The objective of this work was to evaluate calves? average daily live weight gain (ADG) and supplemental feed efficiency (SFE) as a response to self-feeding methods. Two experiments (Exp) were carried out:i) Exp A, on sandy soils with Braford calves and, ii) Exp B on basaltic soils with Hereford calves.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of animal condition (entire or castrated) on animal performance and also on meat quality. Twenty Braford males, 12 months old (half castrated and half non castrated) were fed with grain for finishing purposes. Live weight evolution was registered each 15 days and 4 ultrasound measures were performed during the finishing period. All animals were slaughtered at 20 months old. Carcass pH, meat color and shear force were determined with 2 and 14 days of aging.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre slaughter lairage time on carcass and meat quality of cattle. Thirty Hereford steers were randomly assigned to two treatments according to lairage time in the slaughterhouse:12 hours (Treatment 1, n = 15) and 3 hours (Treatment 2, n = 15). The pH measurements were taken at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours post mortem at Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LM) muscles. Muscle color was measured on the LM at L*, a* and b* color space, after 2 days of aging and one hour of blooming.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre slaughter lairage time on cattle welfare. Thirty Hereford steers were randomly grouped in two treatments according to lairage time in the abbatoir pens:12 hours (Treatment 1, n = 15) and 3 hours (Treatment 2, n = 15). The behavioral records were obtained through the identification of body posture (standing) and frequency of negative behaviors (mounts and fighting).

The aim of this study was to assess the number of bruises per beef carcass and determine the age of each one considering the animal categories as underlying factor. Data were collected between January 2011 and January 2012, assessing 22234 beef carcasses. Five cattle categories were assessed: young bulls, steers, old bulls, heifers and cows. It was used the Australian Carcass Bruise Score System (with adaptations) in order to characterize the bruises. Data were analyzed by Generalized Linear Models using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.2 program.

The aim of this study was to assess the number of bruises per beef carcass and determine the age of each one considering the animal categories as underlying factor. Data were collected between January 2011 and January 2012, assessing 22234 beef carcasses. Five cattle categories were assessed:young bulls, steers, old bulls, heifers and cows. It was used the Australian Carcass Bruise Score System (with adaptations) in order to characterize the bruises. Data were analyzed by Generalized Linear Models using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.2 program.