Evaluation of Slaughter Weights and Carcass Traits of Bulls Marketed in South Marmara Region of Turkey

In this study, the slaughter weights and carcass traits of bulls which slaughtered in three abattoirs located in the South Marmara Region of Turkey were evaluated. For this aim, data from a total of 1002 bulls including 812 purebred Holstein-Friesian, 135 purebred Simmental, 29 Holstein crossbred and 26 Turkish Grey Steppe bulls were used. Additionaly, slaughter weights and carcass traits were compared between 693 Turkey-born Holstein bulls and 119 Holstein bulls imported from Hungary. Bulls were slaughtered according to standard commercial procedures. Hot and chilled carcass weights, dressing percentage and chilling loss were determined. The data were analysed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student’s t-test. The effect of breed was statistically significant on all the traits analysed (P<0.001). The greater slaughter weights, hot and chilled carcass weights, dressing percentage and chilling loss were observed in Simmental bulls. Moreover, imported Holstein bulls had higher dressing percentage compared to Turkey-born Holstein bulls (P<0.001). The present results may be useful for meat industry and for evaluation of carcass traits in market of Turkey