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

Aim: 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.

Conclusion: Delaying the weaning age of pasture-reared dairy cross calves from 10 to 20 weeks can be a potential strategy to increase the carcass weight without affecting meat quality and IMF content, except for higher IMF in topside from late weaning calves. Weaning age altered the FA profile of loin and topside, with more favourable n-3 levels and n-6:n-3 ratios from a human health perspective in meat from the early weaning group.