Comparison of 2 growth patterns during the growing period in fattening bulls. 1. animal performances

Beef meat in Belgium is mainly produced from growing fattening bulls. In the usual technique, the average daily gain is about 1.0 kg/day during the growing period while it is about 1.4 to 1.5 kg/d during the fattening period (Clinquart et al., 1991). The aim of the present trial was to study another growth curve characterized by a low growth rate during the growing period and to assess the effects in terms of coipensatory growth during the fattening period.