Comparative testing of slaughter traits and meat quality of male and female Simmental cattle

The paper presents the results of comparative testing of slaughter traits and meat quality of male (A) and female (B) young cattle of domestic Simmental breed. The sample included a total of 30 heads, 15 in each group. Cattle were slaughtered at the same age with an average mass of about 660 kg in the group (A), and about 500 kg in the group (B). The study results show that cattle of group (A) achieved statistically (p<0.001) significantly higher share of pre slaughter mass and mass of warm carcass sides while female cattle achieved statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher share of kidney fat. The share of tissues in the three rib cut showed statistical differences between the groups, in the share of the M. longissimus dorsi that was statistically (p<0.05) significantly higher in male cattle and the share of fat was statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher in group (B). The chemical composition of M. longissimus dorsi statistically (p<0.05) differed significantly in the share of water which was higher in male cattle while the cattle of group (B) had statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher share of lipids. As for the technological quality, cooking loss of M. longissimus dorsi was statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher in young cattle of group (A), while the tenderness/softness of M. longissimus dorsi (p<0.01) was significantly better in young cattle of group (B). Sensory characteristics of M. longissimus dorsi differed statistically (p<0.001) significantly in the tenderness of the meat that was better in young cattle of group (B). Male Simmental cattle had better slaughter performance and meat quality characteristics, except tenderness of meat which was better in female cattle.