*3.1. The E*ff*ect of Breed on Carcass Characteristics*

The total number of carcasses in Table 1 was 321,381. The breeds with the largest number of carcasses were Limousin (28.8%) and Holstein (21.7%). Additionally, 12.9% of beef carcasses slaughtered were from the local breed of Greek Red. It is worth noting that a remarkable number of carcasses were Metis (9.5%) and Baltata Romameasca (6.7%), breeds originated mainly from Romania, a favorable destination to buy cattle for fattening due to its short distance from Greece.


**Table 1.** Number of carcasses per breed (N), means ± std. error for the age at slaughter (days, d) and the carcass weight (kg) from 24 cattle breeds (>100 observations) reared in Greece.

Means within the same column followed by different superscript for each variable (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t) among breeds differ significantly *p* ≤ 0.05.

Mean carcass weight ranged from 171.3 ± 2.3 kg (Vrachiceratiki) to 425.6 ± 3.1 kg (Parthenaise). Table 1 showed that an average carcass weight over 400 kg was observed for meat beef breeds as Parthenaise (425.6 ± 3.1 kg) and Blonde d'Aquitaine (404.9 ± 1.0 kg) and the crossed type Groase (405.4 ± 0.8 kg). Lower mean carcass weight was found in carcasses from local cattle breeds with

small body conformation as Vrachiceratiki (171.3 ± 2.3 kg), Greek Buffalo (200.1 ± 1.1 kg) and Local (206.8 ± 1.2 kg). In contrast carcasses from Greek Red (251.5 ± 0.4 kg) and Greek Blonde (290.3 ± 3.4 kg) had higher mean carcass weight among the local breeds and good body conformation because the animals were upgraded crossbred with Limousin and Charolais respectively. On the other hand, a relatively low mean carcass weight had the carcass from Holsteins (251.1 ± 0.4 kg).

Figure 1 shows the distribution of frequencies of classes for muscle conformation (a1–a4) and fat deposit (b1–b4) scores given as explanatory spider web charts in grouped breed types of dairy (a1,b1), dual purpose (a2,b2), beef (a3,b3) and local (a4,b4) cattle breeds, respectively.

**Figure 1.** *Cont*.

**Figure 1.** *Cont*.

**Figure 1.** Proportions of muscle conformation (**a1**–**a4**) and fat cover (**b1**–**b4**) scores in grouped breed types of dairy (**a1**,**b1**), dual-purpose (**a2**,**b2**), beef (**a3**,**b3**) and local (**a4**,**b4**) cattle breeds according to SEUROP classification system.

According to the muscle conformation and the breed types of cattle it is obvious from the Figure 1 that the beef breeds had the highest value in conformation classes. The beef breeds that distinguished for their very good muscular conformation (class U) were Parthenaise, Blonde d' Aquitaine and Charolais. From the dual-purpose breeds, only Salers had classified with SEUROP grid in class E. The local and the dairy breeds had similar muscle classification classes. Within class O, the classified carcasses were Holstein and Greek Buffalo. It is worth noting that for the fat deposit, the majority of carcasses in all breed types classified in class 2. The breeds that classified in class 3 were Holstein, Greek Buffalo, Parthenaise and Fleckvieh. Greek Buffalo carcasses, although they had the second lowest mean carcass weight (200.1 ± 1.1 kg) from all breed types, it was showed that they had higher fat deposit similar to Parthenaise (425.6 ± 3.1 kg) that had the heaviest mean carcass weight among all breed types.

Mean slaughter age more than 600 d was observed in carcasses of Greek Buffalo (694.4 ± 3.3 d), Montbelliard (620.3 ± 7.0 d) and Fleckvieh (604.2 ± 2.7 d). These were mainly breeds reared in semi-extensive and dual-purpose farms, suitable for milk and meat production or very resilient cattle, not only able to produce plenty of milk but also to withstand environmental difficult conditions. On the contrary, lower mean age of slaughter was found in carcasses of the Greek Red (471.9 ± 0.7 d).

### *3.2. The E*ff*ect of Gender on Carcass Characteristics*

The carcass weight of male carcasses (n = 268,463) was found significantly heavier (316.0 ± 0.2 kg) than females' (n = 54,583) which was observed to be 214.3 ± 0.3 kg (*p* ≤ 0.001). The mean age of slaughter for male animals was 564.4 ± 0.3 d, while for females was 532.8 ± 0.8 d (*p* ≤ 0.001). It is worth noting the fact that female carcasses of this study came from a large percentage of heifers, intended primarily, for slaughter and not for replacement of older females. As common reasons to remove females under 2 years of age from the breeding herd, referred the low daily gains before weaning, questionable inheritance, poor performance of dam and/or sire, undesirable conformation, or failure to exhibit a normal oestrus cycle [32]. The age of slaughter was shorter for females because they were destined to be bred only for fattening. Females slaughtered at older age and heavier carcass weight had increased fat composition rather than increased muscular conformation. The opposite effect would be for male carcasses.
