The effect of crossing of domestic Simmental breed and French fattening breeds on conformation and fat cover of beef carcasses

Evaluation of conformation and fat cover of beef carcasses has great importance in modern systems of carcass quality evaluation. In this way, adequate price is achieved for every classified carcass side according to market demand. In this paper, the effect of experimental crossing of Domestic Simmental breed with Charolais and Limousine breed (N=96) on conformation and fat cover was investigated. Evaluation was carried out on the whole carcass and partially for certain parts of carcass according to special evaluation pattern/form (1-5). In regard to evaluation of carcass conformation, statistically significant differences (p<0,01) were established between crosses and Domestic Simmental breed. Crosses with Charolais achieved the highest score for conformation (3,94), the highest score for round conformation (3,77) and shoulder (4,06). Considerably more fat tissue on outside of the carcass was determined in Domestic Simmental breed (3,44) compared to crosses with Charolais (3,27). Presence of fat in pelvic cavity was more expressed in Charolais (3,34) and Limousine crosses (3,28), with better score for covering of kidneys (3,50 and 3,53) compared to Domestic breed (3,17).