EN
The study was carried out during the finishing period of 70 days. A total of 18 Limousin bulls at an initial weight of approx. 440 kg were divided into three analogous feeding groups (6 animals per group) according to body weight. Each feeding group was given a different bulky feed on an ad libitum basis: maize silage (group KK), wilted meadow grass silage (group KT) or both silages (group KKKT). These were supplemented with meadow hay (1 kg/day) and concentrate mixture (1-1.2 kg/100 kg body weight). Body weight, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the feeds were determined. Chemical composition, levels of fatty acids and total cholesterol in the meat samples from the thoracis muscle (TM), and dressing percentage were also determined. Limousin bulls fed meadow grass silage had lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, especially C 18:3 n-3) and a narrower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio than animals fed maize silage or both silages. Similar results were obtained in groups for carcass meat content, dressing percentage and total cholesterol content.