The effect of age, birth weight and milk suction time on some carcass characteristics and load distribution ratio (LDR): Eastern Anatolian red cattle example in Turkey

The aim of this research is to evaluate the current situation and create a model for some countries involved in animal production. Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) breed that adapts to arid and barren areas has been raised in Turkey. The experimental animals comprised 31 head of EAR cows of different ages, fed on pastures and in the barn. This study determined the effects of age, birth weight and suction time on carcass characteristics of EAR cows. The animals were divided into 6 groups based on birth weight, 4 groups based on age and 6 groups based on milk suction time. They were reared under a conventional system that was based on grazing during summer and a semi-intensive system during winter. Carcass length, fat thickness over longissimus dorsi, marbling score, and LDR were significantly (P< 0.05) affected by age group. Significant (P< 0.05) differences were noted for carcass length, fat thickness over LD, and marbling score among animals with different birth weights. The milk suction time had a significant (P< 0.05) effect on all the parameters measured. In this research, the 4th age group was seen advantageous based on carcass characteristics and LDR and resembled other groups. As indicated in the study, the carcass characteristic output from the 2nd birth weight group shows that carcass length was a far more important output than other carcass portions or carcass quality parameters. Similarly, the 1st group based on milk suction time came to the forefront for some carcass characteristic, although it indicated partial similarity with other groups.