Effects of age at feedlot entry on performance, carcass characteristics, and beef quality traits of Holstein Friesian bulls reared in high altitude of Eastern Turkey

The objective of this research was to determine the effects different initial fattening ages on performance, carcass features, and meat quality traits Holstein Friesian bulls. A total 24 Holstein-Friesian intact males were used in study. bulls allocated age groups named as Young Group (8-10 months old) (YG), Middle Aged (12-14 (MAG) Older (15-17 (OG) then placed feedlot based three at entry. data that has normal distribution analysed by using LSMM GLM, while others nonparametric Kruskal - Wallis H test. average daily weight gain YG, MAG OG 1.09 ± 0.27 kg, 1.01 0.48 kg 0.95 0.60 (p < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, YG most effective group terms feed efficiency ratio (FER) compared others. However, measurements had lower values YG. Effects entry also insignificant effect traits. Besides, muscularity including area Musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD), SEUROP conformation scores MAG, superior Different no significant chemical composition MLD samples except for percentage protein value. In conclusion, taking animals into early resulted accelerated gain, higher marbled meat, improvement FER reared harsh environmental conditions Eastern Turkey. young lowest weights along with parameters.