Evaluation of Criollo Patagónico (Native Patagonian breed) cattle meat production

Objective. Evaluate the production of meat from the Criollo Patagónico cattle with resect to Angus and the cross breading between these two breeds. Materials and methods. A sample of 42 animals of the following cattle genotypes was used: Criollo Patagónico, Angus and the cross breed between these two breeds, classified in steers or heifers, finished in feedlot for a period of 114 and 156 days, after which eight groups of unbalanced analysis were formed. A factorial analysis was used during the exploratory stage. Linear mixed models were used to see the correlations between measurements on the same animal. Results. The findings suggest differences between the means of slaughter weights of the two fattening periods as well a the fact that this weight gain was deposited in the cuts of less commercial value. Regarding the productivity of cuts of high economic value, interaction was detected between them and the groups, allowing for an identification of differences amongst the groups in the case of some of the cuts. Conclusions. In virtue of the obtained results, the production of Criollo Patagónico cattle meat is considered promising in relation to the productivity of the high economic value cuts, as their average yields were only surpassed in "bife ancho" in its cross with Angus.