The research had the objectives of evaluating feedlot performance as well as carcass and meat traits of 23 young bulls from three genetic groups: ½ Braunvieh + ½ Canchim (1B1C), ½ Purunã + ½ Canchim (1P1C) and ¾ Purunã + ¼ Canchim (3P1C). The experimental animals were 22 months old, on average, at the beginning and remained in total confinement during 145 days. The increase in the proportion of Purunã gens, from 50% to 75%, in the cross with Canchim, brought about increment of slaughter weight (SW) and weight gain (GW) of 10.6 and, 12.1%, respectively. Animals 1B1C were superior to the 1P1c animals and similar to the 3P1C ones with respect to SW and GW. Likewise, the feed intake and GW were similar between animals of the1B1C and 3P1C, both being superior to the ½ P + ½ C animals. (8.87, 7.97 and 7.02kg animal-1 day-1; and, 1.62, 1.41 and 1.58kg animal-1 day-1, respectively). The 1B1C and 3P1C animals produced carcasses weighing 12.1% more than those of the 1P1C animals. Better carcass conformation scores were observed for the 1B1C animals in comparison to those from the1P1C and 3P1C ones. The group averages for this trait were 15.0 points versus 13.2 and 13.6 points, respectively. The 1B1C and 3P1C groups had similar averages for marbling score of the meat (7.5 and 6.6 points, respectively), both being superior to the ½ P + ½ C group that had an average marbling score of 4.8 points. The production of F1 Braunvieh x Canchim animals is advantageous for the entire beef cattle production chain. The producer benefits because these animals yield heavier carcass weight; the slaughter plants also gain with the better carcass conformation and degree of finish; and, finally, the consumer because the meat of these animals has better marbling and texture scores.
conformation; daily gain weight; dry matter intake; fat thickness; intramuscular fat; slaughter weight
