Meat productivity of Aberdeen Angus bull calves depending on the body composition

The article presents the results of studies in meat productivity of the Aberdeen Angus bull calves, depending on the constitution type. In each group, 14 bull calves were selected from the offspring of 4 large and 3 small bulls of the Aberdeen Angus breed. The first group consisted of bull calves from large and tall type of servicing bulls. The second group consisted of bull calves from small type of servicing bulls. They were put under control growing right after weaning. It was found that the bull calves from the large type of servicing bulls were superior to the bull calves from the small type of servicing bulls in terms of meat productivity, which was primarily shown in a higher growth rate. At the age of 18 months, bull calves from large-type parents reached 442 kg of their mass. Bull calves from small-type parents reached 413 kg. The bull calves from the first group had a greater pre-slaughter weight by 31.4 kg and heavier carcasses compared to the bull calves from the second group by 28.3 kg or 13.5 % (P>0.99). In terms of slaughter weight, they were superior to their herdmates from the second group by 26.5 kg. The carcasses of tall bull calves from the first group had larger content of bones (by 4.08 kg) compared to the second group. In their carcasses, 4.52 kg of meat account for 1 kg of bones, while in the carcasses of the second group – 5.03 kg. However, in general, when deboning the half carcasses of the first group, 9.9 kg. or 11.72% more meat was obtained (Р>0.99) compared to the second group.