Beef finishing and international production system

What are the main fat depots in a finished animal?

Subcutaneous, intermuscular, intramuscular and internal fat.

How is total carcass fat distributed in the lecture’s example?

Approximately 25% subcutaneous, 50% intermuscular, 7% intramuscular and 13% internal.

How does structural size affect finishing?

Larger-framed animals have a lower finishing grade at the same slaughter weight, or need a higher slaughter weight to reach the same finishing grade.

How does gender affect finishing?

Females are generally easier to finish, either in less time or at a lower liveweight and gain.

How does plane of nutrition affect finishing weight?

The lecture states that finishing weight decreases as plane of nutrition increases, and increases with structural size.

Why can finishing grade affect feeding cost?

Achieving greater fat cover requires additional feed; the lecture illustrates the relationship between dorsal fat depth and feed required.

Which breeds were common in the historical Flooding Pampa system?

Mainly Angus and Hereford, with some Limousin.

What changes does the lecture list for the Flooding Pampa around two decades ago?

Promotion of annual ryegrass, earlier mating ages (15 and 22 months), early weaning, “Bolitas calves” and lucerne-based finishing.