PSVIII-15 Effect of Endovac-Beef vaccination on performance, dietary energetics, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing calf-fed Holstein steers

Abstract Objectives were to evaluate the influence of ENDOVAC-Beef® (Endovac Animal Health, Columbia, MO) vaccination on calf-fed Holstein steer growth performance, dietary energetics, and carcass characteristics. Fifty Holstein steer calves were utilized in a 322 d trial. Calves were blocked by initial shrunk body weight (134 ±5 kg) and randomly assigned to treatments within weight groups to 10 pens (5 steers per pen, 5 pens per treatment). Five pen groups received the ENDOVAC-Beef vaccination on d 28 and d 56, and the remaining 5 pens did not receive the ENDOVAC-Beef vaccination. All steers were fed the same steam-flaked corn-based growing-finishing diet. Vaccination did not affect (P ≥ 0.10) live weight, average daily gain, and dry matter intake during the 322 d feeding period. However, vaccination increased (P ≤ 0.04) gain efficiency and estimated dietary net energy values (NE) during the first 112 d on feed. Vaccination did not affect (P ≥ 0.14) gain efficiency or estimated dietary NE during the final 112 to 322 d, or over the entire feeding period (1 to 322 d). Vaccination did not affect (P ≥ 0.31) hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and marbling score. However, vaccinating calf-fed Holstein steers with ENDOVAC-Beef increased (P ≤ 0.01) longissimus muscle area (LMA; 86.5 vs 76.8 cm2) and retail yield (51.3 vs 50.4); but, tended to increase (P = 0.07) carcass fat thickness. Morbidity and pink eye infection were low and not affect by treatment (P ≥ 0.18). We conclude that while vaccinating calf-fed Holstein steers with ENDOVAC-Beef did not have an overall effect on growth-performance, it increased (13%) LMA and retail carcass yield (1.8%).

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297 The Effects of Chromium Propionate Supplementation to Yearling Steers in a Commercial Feedyard on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Health

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 165-166

Author(s):

Sara J Trojan ◽

Jerilyn Hergenreder ◽

Landon Canterbury ◽

Tyler Leonhard ◽

John M Long

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Respiratory Morbidity ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Muscle Area ◽

High Performing ◽

Chromium Propionate ◽

Respiratory Treatment ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract British crossbred steers [n = 3074; initial body weight (BW) = 358 ± 37 kg] were used to evaluate the effects of chromium propionate supplementation to yearling steers in a commercial feedyard on growth performance, carcass characteristics and health. Steers were blocked by initial BW; pens were assigned randomly to one of two dietary treatments within block. Treatments, replicated in 15 pens/treatment with 75 to 135 head per pen, included: 1) control, 0 mg supplemental Cr/kg dietary dry matter (DM) (CTL); 2) 0.50 mg supplemental Cr/kg diet DM (chromium propionate; KemTRACE® Chromium 0.04%, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA) (CR). Final BW (638 vs. 641 kg.), average daily gain, (1.81 vs. 1.82 kg), DM intake (11.02 vs. 11.02 kg) and gain efficiency (0.164 vs 0.165) did not differ between CTL and CR, respectively (P ≥ 0.75). No differences among treatments for hot carcass weight (407 vs. 408 kg., CTL and CR, respectively), dressing percentage, longissimus muscle area, or yield grade were observed (P ≥ 0.15). Twelfth-rib fat thickness tended (P = 0.10) to be greater for CR vs. CTL (1.55 vs 1.29 cm, respectively). A trend (P = 0.10) for marbling score to be higher for CR vs. CTL was detected (452 vs. 440, respectively). Distribution of quality grade was similar between CR and CTL; 1.52% of carcasses graded prime (P =0.68), and 87.2% of carcasses graded choice (P = 0.68). Respiratory morbidity was low (1.93%) and not different among treatments (P = 0.20); likewise, there was no difference in respiratory treatment rates between treatments (P ≥ 0.18). Supplementing Cr to high-performing yearling steers did not alter growth performance, carcass characteristics or health outcomes.

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Interaction of early metabolizable protein supplementation and virginiamycin on feedlot growth-performance and carcass characteristics of calf-fed Holstein steers

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab228 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

P H V Carvalho ◽

B C Latack ◽

R Flores ◽

M F Montano ◽

R A Zinn

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Animal Health ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Protein Supplementation ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Feeding Period ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Metabolizable Protein ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract One hundred sixty-eight Holstein steer calves (133.4 ±7.9 kg) were used to evaluate the influence of virginiamycin (VM) supplementation on cattle growth performance and liver abscess incidence, and the effect of feeding 100% vs 87% of metabolizable protein (MP) requirements during the initial 112 d on growth performance, efficiency of energy utilization, and carcass characteristics. Steers were balanced by weight and assigned to 28 pens (6 steers/pen). During the initial 112-d feeding period, dietary treatments consisted of two levels of metabolizable protein (100 vs 87% of expected requirements during the initial 112 d feeding period; NASEM, 2000) supplemented with or without 22.5 mg/kg virginiamycin (Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ 07666) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. There were no VM × MP supplementation interactions (P ≥ 0.14) on any of the parameters measured in both experiments. Calf-fed Holstein steers supplemented VM increased (P ≤ 0.03) overall ADG, G:F, observed/expected NE values for maintenance and gain, and final body weight (BW). Cattle fed VM also increased (P ≤ 0.04) carcass weight, dressing percent, and longissimus muscle area. However, there was no effect (P ≥ 0.22) of VM supplementation on any other carcass characteristics. Calf-fed Holstein steers fed 100% MP requirements during the initial 112 d feeding period had greater (P ≤ 0.02) ADG, G:F, observed/expected NE values for maintenance and gain, and live BW compared to steers fed 87% of the expected metabolizable protein requirements. However, there was no effect (P ≥ 0.17) of MP supply during the initial 112-d period on overall (342 d) growth performance measurements. The incidence of liver abscesses was low (averaging 7.7%) and not affected by dietary treatments. We conclude that independently of MP supplies, supplemental VM enhances overall growth performance and efficiency of energy utilization of calf-fed Holstein steers.

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Effects of coated and noncoated steroidal implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum estradiol-17β concentrations of finishing Holstein steers

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa190 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Pedro H V Carvalho ◽

Mariana F Westphalen ◽

Jonathan A Campbell ◽

Tara L Felix

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Animal Health ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Serum Estradiol ◽

Trenbolone Acetate ◽

Coated Implant ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Estradiol 17Β

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of coated or noncoated hormone implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet for 112 d. Seventy-nine Holstein steers [average initial body weight (BW) = 452 ± 5.5 kg] were stratified by BW and allotted to one of two treatments: 1) Holstein steers implanted with a coated implant containing 200 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 40 mg E2 (Revalor-XS (Merck Animal Health; Summit, NJ)] on day 0 (XS) or 2) Holstein steers implanted two times (days 0 and 56) with a noncoated implant containing 80 mg of TBA and 16 mg of E2 [(2IS) Revalor-IS (Merck Animal Health)]. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There was no effect (P ≥ 0.71) of implant strategy on initial, middle, and final BW. No effect (P ≥ 0.12) of implant strategy was observed on average daily gain, dry matter intake, or gain-to-feed ratio. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.11) of implant strategy on carcass characteristics. There was an implant × day interaction (P < 0.01) for the circulation of serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentration increased similarly 14 d after Holstein steers were implanted, regardless of implant strategy. At 28 d, after steers were implanted, steers in the XS group had less serum E2 concentration than Holstein steers in the 2IS group. However, at 56 d after the first implantation, both groups, once again, had similar serum E2 concentrations and E2 concentrations were less on day 56 than day 28 for both strategies. Holstein steers implanted with 2IS had greater serum E2 concentration on day 70 and E2 concentrations remained greater than serum E2 of Holstein steers implanted XS for the duration of the trial (day 112). In summary, there was no effect of coated or two doses of noncoated implant on growth performance or carcass characteristics of Holstein steers.

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Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs Fed Diets Containing Amarula (Sclerocarya Birrea A. Rich) Nut Cake as Replacement To Soybean Meal

10.21203/rs.3.rs-582720/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maggy Palesa Mabena ◽

Moses Ratsaka ◽

Thobela Nkukwana ◽

Ingrid Malebana ◽

Douglas Nkosi

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Live Weight ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Large White ◽

Sclerocarya Birrea

Abstract This experiment evaluated varying levels of Amarula (Sclerocarya birrea A. Rich) nut cake (ANC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics in pigs. Thirty Large White × Landrace (LW × LR) pigs were stratified by weight (average live weight of 20 ± 5 kg) and randomly allocated to the five experimental diets that contained 0 (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200 g ANC/kg DM. Each pig served as a replicate unit, housed individually. Bodyweight, feed intake, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly throughout the trial period. On completion of the growth trial, following a 3-day adaptation, a nutrient digestibility study was conducted over 5 days. Thereafter, pigs were fasted for twelve hours, weighed, slaughtered, and carcass samples were collected for analysis. Feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment, but ADGs were reduced at ANC levels > 15%, resulting in poor FCR. Protein digestibility was reduced at ANC levels > 15%, while ether extract and fibre levels increased. Warm and cold carcass weights were lower at ANC levels > 15, with improved meat redness and lightness. It was concluded that ANC could replace SBM in the diet of growing pigs at less than 15% inclusion level.

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The influence of shade allocation or total shade plus overhead fan on growth performance, efficiency of dietary energy utilization, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle under tropical ambient conditions

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences ◽

10.5713/ajas.19.0112 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 1034-1041

Author(s):

Beatriz I. Castro-Pérez ◽

Alfredo Estrada-Angulo ◽

Francisco G. Ríos-Rincón ◽

Víctor H. Núñez-Benítez ◽

Carlos R. Rivera-Méndez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Energy Requirement ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Maximum Temperature ◽

Dietary Energy ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Quadratic Effect

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of shade allocation and shade plus fan on growth performance, dietary energy utilization and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle under tropical ambient conditionsMethods: Two trials were conducted, involving a total of 1,560 young bulls (289±22 kg BW) assigned to 24 pens (65 bulls/pen and 6 pens/treatment). Pens were 585 m2 with 15 m fence line feed bunks. Shade treatments (m2 shade/animal) were: i) limited shade (LS) to 1.2 m2shade/animal (LS1.2); ii) limited shade to 2.4 m2 shade/animal (LS2.4); iii) total shade (TS) which correspond to 9 m2/animal, and iv) total shade equipped with fans (TS+F). Trials lasted 158 and 183 days. In both studies, the average weekly maximum temperature exceeded 34°C.Results: Increasing shade allocation tended (p = 0.08) to linearly increases average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake (DMI, quadratic effect, p = 0.03). This effect was most apparent between LS1.2 and LS2.4. Shade allocation, per se, did not affect gain efficiency or estimated dietary net energy (NE). Compared with TS, TS+F increased (p<0.05) ADG, gain efficiency, and tended (p = 0.06) to increase dietary NE. There was a quadratic effect of shade on longissimus area and marbling score, with values being lower (p<0.01) for LS2.4 than for LS1.2 or TS. Likewise, marbling score was lower for TS+F than for TS. Percentage kidney, pelvic, and heart (KPH) linearly decreased with increasing shade. In contrast, KPH was greater for TS than for TS+F.Conclusion: Providing more than 2.4 m2 shade/animal will not further enhance feedlot performance. The use of fans in combination with shade increases ADG and gain efficiency beyond that of shade, alone. These enhancements were not associated with increased DMI, but rather, to an amelioration of ambient temperature humidity index on maintenance energy requirement.

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Effects of a pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) cannery by-product on growth performance and carcass characteristics in finishing Hanwoo steers

Animal Bioscience ◽

10.5713/ajas.20.0234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 233-242

Author(s):

Yongjun Choi ◽

Sangrak Lee ◽

Youngjun Na

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Amino Acid Profile ◽

Ananas Comosus ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Feeding Group

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pineapple cannery by-product (PCB) level on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing Hanwoo steers.Methods: The feeding stage was divided into early and late finishing stages. A total of 60 castrated Hanwoo steers (13.9±0.8 months old, 418.8±36.5 kg initial body weight [BW]) were blocked by initial BW and then randomly allotted into 12 pens (five head/pen). The pens were randomly assigned to control (CONT), low PCB (LPCB), or high PCB (HPCB) treatments. These diets contained 0%, 1.5%, or 3.0% of PCB (on a dry matter [DM] basis; as-fed basis was 0%, 10.6%, or 21.2%), respectively.Results: For the early finishing stage, body weight gain (BWG) and average daily gain (ADG) of the CONT and LPCB feeding groups were greater (p<0.05) than those of the HPCB feeding group. In addition, there were linear and quadratic effects on BWG and ADG with increasing dietary PCB level (p<0.05). The gain to feed (G:F) ratio tends to quadratically decrease with an increasing PCB level in the early finishing stage (p = 0.076). Growth performances of late finishing stage were not affected by PCB level. The marbling score of the LPCB feeding group was similar to that of the CONT feeding group. However, there was a linear decrease (p< 0.05) in marbling score and quality grade among treatments as PCB was increased in the diet. In the longissimus muscle free amino acid profile, histidine composition increased linearly (p<0.05) with an increasing level of PCB.Conclusion: The level of PCB 1.5% DM in diet can be used for finishing steers without any adverse effects on growth and carcass performances. However, there were some negative effects on growth and carcass performance in the HPCB feeding group.

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Effect of crude protein content and undegraded intake protein level on productivity, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and production economics of Hanwoo steers

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences ◽

10.5713/ajas.19.0822 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 1599-1609

Author(s):

Youn Hee Lee ◽

Farhad Ahmadi ◽

Myun Lee ◽

Young-Kyoon Oh ◽

Wan Sup Kwak

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Blood Cholesterol ◽

Blood Metabolites ◽

Carcass Quality ◽

Production Economics ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Feeding Diets

Objective: This study was designed to determine how feeding diets differing in crude protein (CP) and undegraded intake protein (UIP) levels affected productivity, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and the production economics of Hanwoo steers.Methods: Thirty-six Hanwoo steers (age = 8.2±0.5 mo; body weight = 254±16.1 kg) were assigned at random to one of three treatments (4 steers/pen; 3 pens/treatment): i) a low-CP diet (LP; control) containing 12.1% CP with 35.1% UIP, 12.0% CP with 36.8% UIP, and 12.9% CP with 48.8% UIP, in the growing, fattening, and finishing periods, respectively; ii) a high-CP, low-UIP diet (HPLU) containing 15.0% CP with 33.7% UIP, 14.0% CP with 35.7% UIP, and 13.1% CP with 46.7% UIP, respectively; and iii) a high-CP, high-UIP diet (HPHU) containing 15.0% CP with 45.8% UIP, 14.0% CP with 44.6% UIP, and 13.0% CP with 51.1% UIP, respectively.Results: The treatments did not affect feed intake and growth performance, except for average daily gain during the fattening period that tended to be the lowest (p = 0.08) in the HPLUfed steers. The feed CP conversion ratio over the entire feeding period was higher with high-CP diets. The treatments did not affect most blood metabolites; however, blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations during the fattening and finishing periods were the lowest in steers fed a HPLU diet. The treatments had negligible effects on cold carcass weight, yield traits including longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, yield index, and yield grade, plus quality traits including meat color, fat color, texture, and maturity. However, marbling score and frequency of carcass quality grade 1++ were greater in HPHU-fed steers.Conclusion: Feeding diets with higher CP and UIP levels did not affect growth performance but tended to improve the carcass quality of Hanwoo steers, resulting in greater economic return.

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By-products of apricot processing in quail feed: Effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical quality

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2021.878-883 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 878-883

Author(s):

Fatma Boubekeur ◽

Rafik Arbouche ◽

Yasmine Arbouche ◽

Fodil Arbouche

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Live Weight ◽

Partial Substitution ◽

Control Group ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Carcass Yield ◽

By Products

Background and Aim: The rearing of quails can have a stronger attraction for the breeders if we lower the cost prices by introducing by-products in their feed formulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the partial substitution of soybean meal by apricot kernel cake (AKC) in the diet of quails, applied either sequentially or during all phases of rearing, on their growth performances, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical composition. Materials and Methods: A total of 600 one-day-old quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with equal sex ratio and weighing on average 7±0.2 g, were randomly distributed in one control group and three experimental groups, the latter being designed according to the rate of application of AKC in either sequential or non-sequential mode in different rearing phases. Each group was divided into five replicates of 30 quails, randomly distributed according to either substitution rate of soybean meal by the AKC (0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%) or farming phase. Results: The average daily gain from the 1st to 45th days (average daily gain1–45d) was found to be the highest (4.24 g/d/subject, p=0.021) for the 30% AKC-supplemented feed lot in either starter or finish incorporation (DFTAA), having an optimum final live weight of 193.4 g (p=0.028), a lowest feed conversion ratio of 3.08 (p=0.001), and a daily feed intake of 860 g (p=0.01). Carcass yield was recorded the highest (74.4%, p=0.02) with an optimum meat protein level (30.6%, p=0.024) and the lowest fat content (2.26%, p=0.001) for the same group as well. Conclusion: The partial substitution of soybean meal by AKC in the quails' fattening feeding, during the finishing phase and for all rearing phases, led to a better growth performance, a better carcass yield, and an improved chemical composition of meat.

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Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on feeding behavior, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing steers1,2

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz114 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 1143-1152

Author(s):

Ronald J Trotta ◽

Kasey R Maddock Carlin ◽

Kendall C Swanson

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Treatment Period ◽

Radio Frequency Identification ◽

Animal Health ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Eating Time ◽

Total Period ◽

Ractopamine Hydrochloride

Abstract Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) is a β-adrenergic agonist that functions as a repartitioning agent to improve muscling in feedlot cattle. Many studies have investigated the effects of RAC on growth performance and carcass characteristics; however, there is minimal information about the influence of RAC on feeding behavior. Sixty-nine steers (body weight [BW] = 364 ± 3.9 kg) predominately of Angus and Simmental breeding were subjected to a 126-d (n = 46) or 154-d (n = 23) feeding period and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: supplementation to provide 0 (CON; n = 34) or 267 ± 4.9 mg/d of RAC (n = 35). Ractopamine was provided as Optaflexx 45 at 0.024% of the diet (dry matter [DM] basis; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). Dietary treatments were fed the final 42 d in the feed yard (treatment period). Feeding behavior and growth performance were measured using radio frequency identification tags and the Insentec feeding system. Following the final day of treatment, steers were slaughtered and carcass measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed using MIXED models in SAS. There were no differences in BW, average daily gain (ADG), DM intake (DMI), gain:feed ratio (G:F), or feeding behavior during the pretreatment period (P > 0.44). Ractopamine supplementation increased G:F during the treatment period (P = 0.02) and during the total period (P = 0.03) and tended to increase ADG during the treatment and total period (P ≤ 0.08). DMI was not affected during the treatment or total period (P > 0.67). Eating time per visit, per meal, and per day were decreased (P < 0.02) in steers supplemented with RAC during the treatment period. DMI per minute was increased (P = 0.02) in steers supplemented with RAC. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and 12th rib fat were not influenced by RAC supplementation. Ractopamine supplementation decreased marbling (P = 0.008) and kidney, pelvic, and heart percentage (P = 0.04) and increased longissimus muscle area (P = 0.01). These data demonstrate that RAC supplementation for 42 d improves feed efficiency, increases the rate of DMI without altering DMI, and increases muscling in finishing cattle.

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Effect of feeding dry-rolled corn or whole shelled corn during the finishing phase on growth performance and carcass characteristics

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa228 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

T B Freitas ◽

T L Felix ◽

C Clark ◽

F L Fluharty ◽

A E Relling

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Quality Grade

Abstract The objectives of this trial were to evaluate the effect of corn processing during the finishing phase on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics. We hypothesized that steers fed dry-rolled corn would have better feed efficiency (less feed necessary to the same amount of gain) than steers fed whole shelled corn. Ninety-five backgrounded Angus-cross cattle, (initial body weight (BW) = 263 ± 9.8 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design in a feedlot setting. Cattle were divided in to 3 blocks: heifers (n = 31, 4 pens; initial BW = 267 ± 1.3 kg), light steers (n = 32, 4 pens; initial BW = 253 ± 1.3 kg), and heavy steers (n = 32, 4 pens; initial BW = 279 ± 1.4 kg). Diets contained 70% corn (experimental treatment), 15% dried distiller’s grains with solubles, 7% grass hay, and 8% supplement, on a dry matter basis. Cattle were fed for 217, 224, and 231 ± 8 d for the heifer, heavy steer, and light steer blocks, respectively. Two pens within each block were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) dry-rolled corn (DRC) or 2) whole shelled corn (WSC). Animal growth performance and carcass characteristics were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, including the fixed effect of treatment. Pen and block were included as random effects. Carcass characteristics USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade distributions were compared using the GLIMMIX procedure of using the same model than the growth performance data. Data are presented as LSMeans. Cattle fed DRC had greater average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.02) and final BW (P < 0.01) when compared with cattle fed WSC. Even though ADG was greater for the DRC treatment, feed efficiency was similar (P = 0.45) because dry matter intake (DMI) was also greater (P = 0.04) for DRC when compared with the WSC treatment. Cattle fed DRC also had greater hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), dressing percentage (P < 0.01), and Longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA; P < 0.01) than cattle fed WSC. No differences (P ≥ 0.18) were observed for marbling score, USDA Yield Grade or USDA Quality Grade. In conclusion, feeding DRC to feedlot cattle improved ADG, hot carcass weight, and LMA, without affecting feed efficiency or meat quality.

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