Weights of some body organs from cattle selected for high and low susceptibility to bloat

V.R. Carruthers and C.A. Morris

Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hamilton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1988, 48: 147-150

Selection for and against susceptibility to bloat in herds of Friesian-Jersey crossbred cattle at Ruakura has resulted in cattle of high (HS) and low (LS) susceptibility. Forty one HS and 41 LS animals including 44 cows and 38 bulls were slaughtered between 1985 and 1987 and weights of carcass components and some body organs measured.

LS animals had a significantly higher proportion of bone weight and lower eye muscle area, proportions of hindquarter weight and saleable meat in the carcass than did HS animals. This was offset by a 14% heavier hot carcass weight (HCW) in LS animals. Weights of heart and kidney, adjusted for HCW, were higher and those of mandibular glands were lower, for LS than HS animals. There were no differences between HS and LS herds in adjusted weights of liver, lungs and parotid glands.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Cattle; bloat; carcass; body organs

Download abstract in text format
Last Updated 18-03-1997