Associação fenotípica entre eficiência alimentar e características de carcaça avaliadas em novilhas da raça nelore

Abstract

This study intends to estimate phenotypic associations between feed efficiency and characteristics of carcass, by ultrasonography in young heifers of the Nellore breed. To do so, data of 110 young heifers that participated in feed efficiency tests at the Farm Rancho da Matinha, Uberaba, MG. The characteristics of feed efficiency (residual feed intake, CAR; dry matter intake, IMS) and carcass characteristics (ribeye area, AOL; finishing, ACAB; marbling, MAR) were evaluated. The coefficient of correlation of Pearson was used to correlate the characteristics. The analysis of variance (AVANA) was utilized to show the difference between CAR and IMS types for each carcass characteristic. The correlation between CAR and IMS were not significant for the carcass characteristics, except for CAR and marbling, that obtained correlation of low magnitude of -0,30 (significant coefficient, p < 5%). It was observed that the most efficient animals can generate some gain in the marbling characteristics. The association of more efficient animals (negative CAR), does not generate losses in the carcass characteristics unlike the finishing (ACAB) and in the ribeye area (AOL), moreover selecting more efficient animals (positive CAR) can lead to intramuscular fat gain in the heifers Nelore breed.