Effect of weaning age of crossbred dairy calves on meat quality and fatty acid profile of beef loin and topside

Rearing calves destined for grazing on concentrate feeds adds a transition from concentrate to pasture which is challenging to manage in an extensive grazing system. There are emerging niche markets for early finished and grain-free beef products that require supplies of calves reared only on forages. Lastly, research conducted to date was primarily focused on weaning calves within the first 2 months of age [1] with limited efforts to understand the effects of delaying weaning age on the carcass and meat quality of calves finished early on pasture. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weaning age on crossbred dairy calves finished on pasture at 7 months old on meat quality and fatty acid profile of loin and topside.