Genotype and sex condition on performance and carcass characteristics of young beef cattle

Ninety-six young beef males were allotted to a completely randomized design in a 4x3 factorial scheme, four genetic groups, Nellore (N), 1/2 Simmental 1/2 Nellore (SN), 1/2 Red Angus 1/2 Nellore (AN) and 1/2 Red Angus 1/4 Simmental 1/4 Nellore (ASN), and three sex conditions (SC) intact (1), castrated (C) and castrated plus Synovex S 0 implant (CS). Males were castrated at six months of age, and feedlot started two months later, with the animals being fed with a 70% chopped sugar cane : 30% concentrate diet. Steers were weighted with 28 days intervals, after 16 hours fastening, and were slaughtered with 13 to 15 month of age. The statistical analyses were performed with the MINITAB program. The effects of genotype (G), SC and G x SC on performance and carcass characteristics, were evaluated. Slaughter(SW) and hot carcass weight(HCW) were affected by G. The SN presented the highest SW (389.3 kg) and AN the lowest (343.1 kg). SC affected SW, HCW and finishing degree (FD). I and CS males were heavier at slaughter (373.8 and 375.2 kg, respectively) than C (341,2 kg). The lowest HCW was observed for C steers (180,6 kg), differing (P <.02) from 1(197 kg) and CS (201,3 kg). CS steers showed better FD (2,17 points) than the other SC. The SC showed tendency (P <.07) to influence ribeye area, with CS steers showing larger area (65.2 cm(2)). The G x SC interaction was significant for average daily gain and carcass dressing percentage. When adjusted for initial weight, the interaction was significant for SW, and when adjusted for SW the interaction was significant for HCW. The Simmental crosses were heavier at slaughter. Castration at six months reduced the feedlot performance of young males. The Synovex SO implant increased the finishing degree of the castrated steers carcasses.