I. A. García-Galicia*; A. Corral-Luna; F. A. Rodríguez-Almeida; M. A. Chávez Anchondo; J. A. Bustillos-García; Y. Martínez-Cordova; F. A. Núñez-González.

CROSSING BEEF CATTLE WITH CHIHUAHUAN CRIOLLO CATTLE IS AN EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVE FOR

BEEF PRODUCTION ON ARID ENVIRONMENTS OF NORTHERN

MEXICO

International Conference on Livestock Nutrition. Frankfurt, Germany. August 11/12, 2015

WH

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?Annual precipitation

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In dry environments, climate change aggravate conditions Grasslands capacity is reduced Higher costs of supplementation

Inadequate or absent grazing cattle methods Deteriorated Chihuahuan grasslands with proliferation of invasive species

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HA

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Finding ecological and economical alternatives of production is compulsory for local producers

Reducing overgrazing Low cost beef production Acceptable for consumers

INT

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Rustic breeds advantages Adaptation to local conditions, tolerance to

low nutrient contents, diversified use of pasture (Isselstein et al., 2007)

Comparable meat quality (Vatansever et al., 2000; Liotta et al., 2011)

Healthy fatty acids profile and antioxidants (Vatansever et al., 2000; Orellana et al. 2009)

BA

CK

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Grazing Criollo cattle- takes advantages of grasslands on an ecological way and produces healthy beef (Frederickson, 2005; Roacho et al., 2007; Anderson et al., 2015)

So, why not to use it pure?• Prejudges• Market (rodeo)

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CK

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Angus and Criollo crosses Phenotypic characteristics similar to Angus Rusticity and adaptability characteristics (anecdotal)?

OB

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To validate Criollo cattle on strategic crosses with Angus as an alternative for sustainable beef production.

To evaluate the use of grasslands and the grazing behaviour of Criollo, Angus and their crosses (females)

To evaluate productive parameters and feed efficiency of steers under extensive conditions and short indoors fattening (males)

To evaluate quality of meat, fatty acid and antioxidant profile of steers under extensive conditions and short indoors fattening

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)Animals

18 heifers (Six Criollo, six Angus x Criollo and six Angus) born and grown at the experimental site (adapted). Experimental farmarm from the University

Twelve months oldGrazing site

Highly diversified plant population Grassland dominated by Boutelouva hirsuta, B. radicosa and B.

gracilis Ad libitum water availability

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)Monitoring of animals

Six days of constant monitoring in summer-fall and winter Every day two different heifers/breed were monitored Students with GPS (Garmin)

◦ Localization ◦ Activity (Standing (no activity), Laying (resting rumia), Walking exclusively o

Grazing)

7.6 10.3 6.5

35.5 29.3 32.6

34.7 39.2 40.4

22.3 21.2 20.4

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

ANGUS CRIOLLO AxC

Walking Laying Grazing Standing

6.20% 6.66% 7.80%

35.75%29.04% 26.51%

49.13%54.59% 57.15%

8.92% 9.70% 8.54%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

ANGUS CRIOLLO AxC

Standing Grazing Laying Walking

Summer -Autumm Winter

Criollo and A x C graze > 1 hour moreA x C and Criollo rest less than Angus on winter

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GR

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LIT

YTwenty-four steers (8 Criollo, 8 Angus x Criollo and 8 Hereford x Angus)

Performance monitored for one year after weaning. Weighting animals every 2 weeks.

Under regular management at the farm After one year on grazing system, animals went indoors Productive performance and feed efficiency measured for three

months after one of adaptation Slaughter for evaluating; shelf life (colour), carcass characteristics,

meat quality and tenderness

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Angus x Criollo Hereford x Angus Criollo

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LTS

Weights on grazing system

100

120

140

160

180

200

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240

260

280

300

320

340

Kg

BW

Angus x CriolloHereford x AngusCriollo

Grazing on irrigated cultivation. Grainsupplementation.

Pen with corn stubble.

Rain season. Grazing on natural lands.

Dry season. Low grass availability.

250

270

290

310

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370

390

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Entry Dec Jan Jan Feb Feb Mar

Kg

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Hereford x Angus Criollo Angus x Criollo

ConC

Conditioning Trial

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EIG

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Indoors finishing 21 steers remaining (7 Hereford x Angus, 7 A x C y 7 Criollos)Why indoors?

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RF

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Hereford x Angus

Criollo

Angus x Criollo

-1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

-0.746

-0.632

-0.389

1.075

0.252

0.744

Residual Food Intake

Grs Dry Matter

Average: 0.036 in AxC -0.132 in Criollo 0.094 in HxA

Criollo had a trend to be more efficient

AxC seems to have slightly better trend than HxA

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Carcass weights and yields Final weight: *Criollo=355kg, AxC= 392kg

and HxA=412kg

50,0

52,0

54,0

56,0

58,0

60,0

62,0

Hot carcass yield

%

Criollo Angus x Criollo Hereford x Angus

100,0

120,0

140,0

160,0

180,0

200,0

220,0

240,0

260,0

280,0

Carcass weight (kg)

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0,0

2,0

4,0

6,0

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12,0

DF mm % KF Rib eye area (in2) Marbling

Carcass characteristics

Criollo Angus x Criollo Hereford x Angus

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Genetic group0

5

10

15

20

25

13.68

17.95

23.88

Thoughness on rib eye steaks

Angus x CriolloHereford x AngusCriollo

Kg

f

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ch

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C*)

Days on retail display within modified atmosphere

Angus x Criollo

Criollo

Hereford x Angus

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IMP

LIC

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SCriollo had some carcass traits comparable to European cattle and seemed to be more “efficient” on daily gain

Angus x Criollo cattle showed remarkable good meat quality such as marbling , and better tenderness and colour conservation than H x A

Remarkably, Angus x Criollo cattle kept beneficial characteristics from both Criollo and Angus, and seems a good alternative for beef production on deserted areas

Is adaptation the key?

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Thank you