Características da carcaça e da carne de bovinos sob diferentes dietas, em confinamento

The carcass and meat qualitative characteristics of 10 young bulls, 10 castrated males, and 10 females of Canchim breed finished in feedlot were evaluated. Animals were fed: 1 - corn silage and concentrate containing soybean meal, corn and citrus pulp (CS), and 2 - sugar cane and concentrate containing soybean meal, corn, sunflower grains, and citrus pulp (SC). The data were analized by completely randomized design in a factorial 3x2 arrangement (three sexual conditions x two diets), and the experimental period lasted 105 days. No interactions were observed and the young bulls presented higher (P<0.05) hot carcass weights and loin area, higher hindquarter and lower forequarter yields in relation to the castrated males and females. The samples of loin did not show differences among treatments in relation to shear force, pH, total losses due dripping on capacity of water retention, and meat color. The castrated males and females presented better texture of meat. The CS and SC diets can be used in finishing cattle under confinement.