Growth and carcass performance of Istrian bulls

Istrian cattle is one of the three autochthonous Croatian cattle breeds, which is due to the small size of the population in the status of the endangered breed. During the second half of the twentieth century because of lower economic competitiveness, it is suppressed from farming. Economic reaffirmation is the only safe way to achieve longterm sustainability of the breed. During the last decade, a program for the production of Istrian cattle meat as a recognizable product has been launched resulting with higher inclusion of Istrian cattle in the gastronomic offer of the region. The aim of the research was to determine the growth and carcass performance of the Istrian cattle bulls. The research includes 141 bulls divided into two groups: young bulls (slaughter age from 18 to 24 month ; 37 bulls) and older bulls (slaughter age over 24 months ; 104 bulls). The average body weight of young and older bulls (587.94 kg ; 690.88 kg) indicates a respectable growth potential. The cold carcass weight of young and older bulls (320.59 kg ; 368.65 kg) indicate a moderate level of carcass yield (55.48% ; 54.17%) and cooling shrinkage (1.74% ; 1.68%). Young bulls had a better EUROP conformation score (p < 0.05) and a level of carcass fatness was not significantly different. Shares of commercial beef cuts in the carcass between the groups of young and older bulls were significantly different in absolute and relative values. The results indicate a moderate growth capacity and carcass yield of the Istrian bulls, which emphasizes the need to affirm the attributes of specificity and originality of Istrian beef in the market development for these products.