CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND COMMODITY-TECHNOLOGICAL INDICES OF BEEF FROM DOUBLE- AND TRIPLE-CROSS STEERS
Data obtained as result of studies on the chemical composition and commodity-technological indices of hybrid steers are submitted. It is established that the processes normally proceeding in the animals’ body contributed to manifestation of rather high beef qualities being typical for the certain genotype of steers of different age to be marketed for beef. Data on the chemical composition of an average force-meat specimen indicate that the share of dry matter in meat of steers of all the genotypes in the period of 15-18 months age has increased. This increase was due to the 2.46-2.86% increase of fat content in the average specimen of triple-cross hybrids and 1.86% increase in double hybrids (Simmentals×Holsteins) for the period of three months. It is pointed out that the content of fat in 18 months old triple hybrids was higher than that in double-cross hybrids. There was not observed any significant differences in protein content in animals of different genotypes. The ratio of protein and fat in meat-flesh of steers aged 15 months was within 2.57-2.84:1, which in energetic units was 1.11-1.55:1. This is lower than the standard requirements which are to be about 1:1. Beef obtained from 18 months-old steers of different genotypes, in which the ratio of protein and fat in terms of energetic units varied within 0.77-0.97:1, this being characteristic of beef with optimal ratio of basic nutrients, met the above regucrements. Beef of 18 months old triple-cross hybrid steers was superior in commodity-technological qualities.