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This study evaluated the effects of growth rate during post-weaning growing phase on carcass traits and beef quality. Thirty-four Nellore young bulls were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH growth rate during post-weaning growing phase followed by high growth rate in the finishing phase. The growth rate affected (P<0.05) all carcass traits evaluated at the end of post-weaning growing phase, except ultimate pH. Carcass dressing was greatest (P<0.05) for the HIGH growth rate group in both phases. Beef from the HIGH group exhibited the greatest (P<0.05) sarcomere length and a* and b* colour values at the end of post-weaning growing phase. However, post-weaning growth rate did not affected (P>0.05) collagen content and solubility, myofibrillar fragmentation index and Warner-Bratzler shear force. Our data suggest that a low post-weaning growth rate produces lighter and leaner carcasses, but it does not affect meat quality traits in Nellore young bulls.

Context Previously feed-restricted cattle may exhibit compensatory growth during the finishing phase. However, the efficiency in converting feed into carcass should be evaluated since cattle undergoing compensatory growth usually have high non-carcass weight gain. Aims The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth rate throughout the post-weaning growing phase on subsequent feed efficiency, carcass gain, and gain composition. Methods Thirty-nine weaned young Nellore bulls averaging 230.4 ± 5.62 kg of bodyweight and 8.5 ± 0.25 months of age were used. Initially, five bulls were slaughtered as a reference initial group. The remaining bulls were randomly assigned to one of three nutritional plans to achieve Low (0 kg/day), Medium (0.6 kg/day) or High (1.2 kg/day) average daily gain (ADG) throughout the post-weaning growing phase, followed by high growth rate during the finishing phase. One-half of the bulls from each treatment were slaughtered at the end of the post-weaning growing phase, and the other one-half after the finishing phase. During both phases the feed intake, apparent digestibility, performance, and body composition were evaluated. Key results Throughout the post-weaning growing phase, High bulls had greater ADG and more efficiently converted feed into carcass, compared with other nutritional plans (P &lt; 0.01). Throughout the finishing phase, Low bulls had greater ADG, carcass gain, and feed efficiency than High and Medium bulls (P &lt; 0.01). Previous feed restriction did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) apparent digestibility. During the finishing phase, previously restricted bulls fully compensated for the lost visceral organ weight, whereas the losses of bodyweight and carcass weight were only partially compensated. Throughout finishing, Low bulls had the greatest feed efficiency and profitability among nutritional plans. However, considering the overall experiment, Hight bulls converted feed into carcass more efficiently than Low bulls (P = 0.02), but did not differ from Medium (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions Although previously restricted bulls had greater performance and efficiency throughout finishing, the improvement was not enough to reach the same carcass weight at the same age of the unrestricted bulls. Implications Despite the greater profitability of previously restricted bulls throughout finishing, unrestricted bulls were more profitable considering both growing and finishing phases.

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