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| Analysis of Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of Three-Way Crossbred Female Dehong Water Buffalo at Different Months of Age |
| CEN Zui, XU Shaohong, XU Jun, ZHANG Hao, DU Zhiyong, LI Yao, SUN Xuechen, ZHANG Lixin, WANG Guoning, LI Qing |
| 1. Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; 2. Dehong Prefecture Animal Husbandry Station, Mangshi 678400, China; 3. Comprehensive Support and Technical Service Center, Hongqiao Town, Ninglang County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, Lijiang 674307, China |
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Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects of slaughter age on the performance, post-slaughter muscle physical traits, and carcass bone and muscle chemical composition of three-way crossbred female Dehong water buffalo. Eight healthy cows aged from 10 d to 84 months (2 in the calf stage, and 3 each in the growing and adult stages) were selected from 116 crossbred Dehong buffalo cows that fitted the Gompertz growth model for slaughter, and their slaughter performance and meat quality indicators were measured. The results showed that the meat percentage, meat-to-bone ratio, and carcass meat yield increased significantly with age (P < 0.05), reaching 44.10%, 4.42, and 84.39%, respectively, in the adult period (24–84 months). The carcass yield remained stable between 50.12% and 52.35%, showing no significant correlation with age (P > 0.05). Backfat thickness, eye muscle area, and the diameter of muscle fibers in the longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris increased significantly with age (P < 0.05). The moisture content of carcass bones and muscles from ten different cuts decreased with increasing age, while the protein content remained relatively stable at between 18.86% and 22.70%. The fat content increased significantly with slaughter age (P < 0.05). The crude ash content of carcass bones increased significantly with age (P < 0.05), whereas those of the tenderloin, rump, brisket, and flank showed an opposite trend. However, the crude ash content in the neck meat abnormally increased during the growing period. The calcium and phosphorus contents in carcass bones, as well as the phosphorus content in the tenderloin, were significantly higher in the adult period than in the calf period (P < 0.05), while neither the calcium nor phosphorus contents of the other muscle cuts varied significantly among the three stages (P > 0.05). In conclusion, slaughter at the adult stage can achieve better meat production performance and meat quality.
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2026, Vol. 40 
