RESUMO

Due to the lack of information concerning the buffalo production chain, the aim of this survey was to identify consumer behaviour, acceptance and trends in relation to buffalo meat. The survey research method was used, for which an online questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms, and distributed via digital platforms to Brazilian consumers. Using the exploratory technique of multivariate statistics, ordination was carried out by principal component analysis (PCA), where the words were grouped into dimensions. Of the respondents, 44.82% had already consumed buffalo meat; however, many did not know whether they had already tried it, since 50.24% of the respondents said they could not identify any difference between buffalo meat and beef. An identification and indication of the origin were considered important by 44.82% of respondents. The respondents cited 1130 different terms, the word 'quality' appearing in most responses. Principal component analysis explained 93.32% of the variations in the consumer perception of buffalo meat. A part of Brazilian consumers is unaware of the buffalo production chain, and have never had the opportunity to consume the meat. The creation and divulgation of a certificate of identification, together with the benefits to health from consuming buffalo meat is fundamental for consumer confidence, which, together with the ready availability of the product, would allow expansion, consolidation and improvement of the production chain. The results of the study show the potential for increasing the consumption of buffalo meat among Brazilian consumers, providing the product included a guarantee of origin, quality and healthiness.

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RESUMO

Potential variables for the reproductive success of beef cows were evaluated. Included in the model were the age of the cow at calving; the interval between the Julian calving date and the end of the breeding season; the body weight and conditions at calving, at 75 days post-partum and at the end of the breeding season; and the mean daily variation in weight between these dates. Logistic regression was used in the analysis, with the parameters evaluated using the odds ratio statistic, estimating the chance of pregnancy. The mean rate of pregnancy was 84% and 55% for early and late-weaned cows, respectively. For early weaned cows, the regression variables were the Julian calving date, age of the cow, weight gain from calving to 75 days post-partum, and from 75 days post-partum to the end of the reproductive period. For late-weaned cows, there were only two regression variables, weight at calving and weight gain from calving to the end of the reproductive period. For every year above the average age of the herd, early weaned cows have an 80.9% greater chance of pregnancy, while a reduction of one year reduces the chance of pregnancy by 44.7%. In early weaned cows, every seven days after the mean Julian calving date reduces the chances of pregnancy by 22.6%, whereas every seven days before the mean calving date increases pregnancy by 29.2%. Greater gains in cow body weight, from calving to the end of the reproductive period, determine a greater probability of pregnancy.

RESUMO

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of behavioral differences in cattle on bruising on different cuts and on carcass yield. A total of 4,061 lots of cattle were evaluated, which corresponded to 199,026 carcasses. Animal temperament was classified as calm, anxious, or excited. The following carcass cuts were evaluated: round, rump, shin, thin flank, tenderloin, and rib. Of the total number of slaughtered animals, 68.26% had at least one type of bruise with complete removal of the affected tissue. There was an interaction effect between sex and temperament on the occurrence of bruises on the different cuts and on carcass yield. In castrated males, bruises on the round, rump, shin, and tenderloin cuts did not differ between temperament classes, but the excited males showed more bruises on the thin flank and rib cuts. Among the females, for all cuts, the number of bruises was higher (P<0.05) in those with excited temperament than in the anxious and calm animals, which did not differ (P>0.05). Additionally, carcass yield relative to plant weight decreased (P<0.05), with the calm females exhibiting the highest values, followed by those with anxious and excited temperament. In the castrated males, however, although performance declined, those with anxious and excited temperament did not differ (P>0.05). Females and more reactive animals have more bruises on their carcass.(AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos das diferenças comportamentais dos bovinos e seus reflexos nas contusões nos diferentes cortes e nos valores de rendimento de carcaça. Foram avaliados 4.061 lotes de bovinos, perfazendo 199.026 mil carcaças. O temperamento animal foi classificado em calmo, ansioso e excitado. Foram avaliados os cortes das carcaças divididas em coxa, alcatra, dianteiro e lombo, vazio e costela. Do total de lotes de animais abatidos, 68,26% apresentaram pelo menos um tipo de contusão com remoção completa do tecido afetado. Ocorreu interação entre o sexo e temperamento animal para os diferentes cortes na ocorrência de contusões e no rendimento de carcaça. Nos machos castrados as contusões dos cortes da coxa, alcatra, dianteiro e lombo não diferiram entre as classes de temperamento, tendo os animais agressivos mais contusões nos cortes do vazio e costela. Nas fêmeas em todos os cortes, as quantidades de contusões verificadas foram superiores (P<0,05) para animais com comportamento excitado do que animais ansiosos e calmos, não ocorrendo diferença entre os mesmos (P>0,05). O rendimento de carcaça em relação do peso de frigorífico quanto as classes comportamentais, nas fêmeas foi decrescente (P<0,05) com maiores valores para animais calmos, seguidos dos animais ansiosos e com menores rendimentos para animais com temperamento excitado, enquanto nos machos castrados, embora o rendimento tenha sido decrescente, animais com temperamento ansioso e excitado não diferiram (P>0,05). Carcaças oriundas de fêmeas e de animais com maior reatividade apresentam mais lesões.(AU)

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Determining what and how much each environmental factor affects pregnancy is crucial to the sustainability and management of beef cow herds. The study evaluated through logistic regression the effect of environmental variables on the increase or reduction in the pregnancy rate of beef cows. The average pregnancy rate in the cows was 73 %, with an average age for the herd of 3.7 years. An increase in age of one year represented a 30 % increase in pregnancy, while a reduction of one year reduced the odds of pregnancy in the cows by 23 %. During the lactation period, an extra seven days' lactation reduced the odds of pregnancy by 12 %. For every seven days that weaning was brought forward, the cows' pregnancy odds increased by 14 %. An increase of 0.1 kg in average daily gain represented an increase of 17 % and 15 % in the odds of pregnancy during the first 60 days post-partum and 60 days to the end of the reproductive period. On the other hand, the loss of 0.1 kg in average daily gain resulted in a 14 % and 13 % reduction in the cows' pregnancy odds, respectively. Factors such as age, the precocity of calving in the calving season, the time the calf remains with the cow and better performance in cows between calving and the end of the mating are strategies that increase the chances of pregnancy in beef cows.(AU)

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RESUMO

Abstract Potential variables for the reproductive success of beef cows were evaluated. Included in the model were the age of the cow at calving; the interval between the Julian calving date and the end of the breeding season; the body weight and conditions at calving, at 75 days post-partum and at the end of the breeding season; and the mean daily variation in weight between these dates. Logistic regression was used in the analysis, with the parameters evaluated using the odds ratio statistic, estimating the chance of pregnancy. The mean rate of pregnancy was 84% and 55% for early and late-weaned cows, respectively. For early weaned cows, the regression variables were the Julian calving date, age of the cow, weight gain from calving to 75 days post-partum, and from 75 days post-partum to the end of the reproductive period. For late-weaned cows, there were only two regression variables, weight at calving and weight gain from calving to the end of the reproductive period. For every year above the average age of the herd, early weaned cows have an 80.9% greater chance of pregnancy, while a reduction of one year reduces the chance of pregnancy by 44.7%. In early weaned cows, every seven days after the mean Julian calving date reduces the chances of pregnancy by 22.6%, whereas every seven days before the mean calving date increases pregnancy by 29.2%. Greater gains in cow body weight, from calving to the end of the reproductive period, determine a greater probability of pregnancy.

RESUMO

This study evaluated the productive and reproductive performance of Charolais cows with different body mass index (BMI) at calving and the development of their calves. Seventy-two Charolais cows and their calves were grouped into BMI classes at calving, namely, low, moderate, and high. Body mass index was determined by dividing the cows' body weight by their body length and hip height and finally dividing the result by 10. Cows and their calves were weighed immediately after calving, at early weaning (63-day postpartum), and at pregnancy diagnosis (210-day postpartum). To evaluate milk production and quality, collections were performed at 21, 42, and 63 days after calving. Cows with high and moderate BMI were heavier (P < 0.05) than low-BMI cows from calving to the date of pregnancy diagnosis. Calves from low-BMI cows were heavier (P < 0.05) at 210-day postpartum than those born to cows with moderate and high BMI. The low- and moderate-BMI cows had higher pregnancy rates than those with a high BMI and were more efficient (P < 0.05) at calving and at weaning in kilograms of calf produced per kilogram of cow kept in the herd. High- and moderate-BMI cows had the highest milk production, whereas low-BMI cows produced milk with the highest concentrations of lactose and solids-not-fat (P < 0.05). Charolais cows with low and moderate BMI at calving are more efficient in production systems. The BMI may be considered a selection variable to improve the productive results of breeding herds.

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This study examines the impact of the body mass index (BMI) at calving on the development and postpartum efficiency of cows of Zebu origin. The study involved 87 cows and their calves [pure Nellore (N) or predominant Nellore composition in a cross with Charolais (C) (3/4N1/4C and 5/8N3/8C)]. The mothers were grouped into classes according to their BMI at calving, namely, 'small', 'moderate' and 'large'. Body mass index was determined by dividing the body weight of the cows by their length and by hip height and then dividing the result by 10. Cows were weighed at calving, at weaning, at the end of the breeding period and at the diagnosis of pregnancy. Calves were weighed at birth, at early weaning (63 days) and at 210 of age. To evaluate milk yield and quality, milk was collected at 21, 42 and 63 days after calving. Milk yield was measured by the direct method, with manual milking, followed by analysis of the lactose, fat, total solids and crude protein contents. Pregnancy rate was similar between the three BMI groups; however, cows with a lower BMI were more efficient at calving in producing kilograms of calf per kilogram of cow kept. Higher BMI provide higher milk yields, without affecting its quality, as well as heavier calves at early weaning and at 210 days of age.(AU)

O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar o impacto do índice de massa corporal (IMC) ao parto no desenvolvimento e eficiência pós-parto de vacas de origem zebuína. Utilizou-se 87 vacas e seus bezerros [Nelore (N) puros ou com predominância em cruzamento com Charolês (C) (3/4N1/4C e 5/8N3/8C)], agrupadas em classes segundo o seu IMC ao parto, em 'pequenas', 'moderadas' e 'grandes'. O índice de massa corporal foi determinado através da divisão do peso corporal das vacas pelo seu comprimento e pela altura de quadril e posteriormente o resultado dividido por 10. As vacas foram pesadas no parto; ao desmame; final da monta e no diagnóstico de gestação. Os bezerros foram pesados ao nascimento, na desmama precoce (63 dias) e aos 210 dias de idade. Para a avaliação da produção e qualidade do leite das vacas foram realizadas três coletas aos 21, 42 e 63 dias após o parto. A medida da produção de leite foi realizada pelo método direto, com ordenha manual, seguida de análise do teor de lactose, gordura, extrato seco total e proteína bruta. A taxa de prenhez foi similar para os três índices de massa corporal, no entanto vacas de menor IMC foram mais eficientes ao parto na produção de quilogramas de bezerros por quilograma de vaca mantida. O IMC alto propicia maior produção de leite sem que a qualidade seja alterada e bezerros mais pesados no desmame precoce e no peso aos 210 dias.(AU)

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