The objective of this study was to evaluate the Hankins and Howe equations, to estimate the carcass physical composition, and the Paulino equations, to estimate the empty body weight macromineral composition of Nellore cattle. Twenty seven Nellore animls (9 bulls, 9 steers and 9 heifers) were used, and nine animals (three of each gender) were slaughtered at the beginning and formed the reference group. The 18 remaining animals (6 of each gender) were allotted in two levels of concentrate offer (1.0% and 1.25% live weight) and were fed over 112 days. At the end of the trial all the animals were slaughtered to determine the empty body weight and physical and chemical body composition using the right carcass half. From left carcass half one sample from 9th to 11th ribs (HH section) was obtained. The HH section did not estimate well the physical carcass composition. The Paulino equation was efficient in estimating the Ca concentration in the empty body weight. New equations were proposed for all the macrominerals to estimate their contents in empty body weight using the HH section. It was concluded that the Hankins and Howe equations did not correctly estimate the carcass physical composition in Nellore cattle, and that the macromineral composition can be estimated using the HH section in Nellore cattle.
beef cattle; chemical composition; HH section; macromineral; physic composition
