348 Effects of supplemental copper, zinc, and manganese source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if different sources and levels of supplemental copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) affect growth performance, health and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. A large pen, commercial feedlot in OK utilized 1,707 crossbred steers (297 ± 5 kg) randomized across 8 pens/treatment. Supplemental trace mineral treatments consisted of: Control (CON) = CuSO4 plus Availa® Cu (10.6 ppm), ZnSO4 plus Availa Zn (37.8 ppm), and MnSO4 plus Availa Mn (25.5 ppm); Combination (COMBO) = basic Cu chloride (IntelliBond® C; 10 ppm), ZnSO4 plus Zn methionine (ZINPRO® 120; 90 ppm), and MnSO4 plus Mn hydroxychloride (IntelliBond M; 20 ppm); or Hydroxy (HYD) = basic Cu chloride (IntelliBond C; 10 ppm), Zn hydroxychloride (IntelliBond Z; 90 ppm), and MnSO4 plus Mn hydroxychloride (IntelliBond M; 20 ppm). Statistical analysis was performed using SAS with pen as the experimental unit and pre-planned orthogonal contrasts to separate means. Contrasts were: CON vs. COMBO and HYD (level) and COMBO vs. HYD (source). Supplemental trace mineral source or level did not affect final BW (P ≥ 0.34), ADG (P ≥ 0.36), DMI (P ≥ 0.36), feed efficiency (P ≥ 0.30), morbidity (P ≥ 0.28), total treatment days (P ≥ 0.43), or mortality (P ≥ 0.33) (Table 1). Additionally, trace mineral source or level did not affect HCW (P ≥ 0.78), DP (P ≥ 0.85), or backfat thickness (P ≥ 0.32) (Table 2). Increased level of trace mineral tended (P = 0.13) to increase marbling score. There was tendency for COMBO to have a larger loin muscle area (P = 0.14) and lower yield grade (P = 0.10) than HYD. Feeding a lower level of sulfates and amino acid complexes resulted in similar performance to higher trace mineral levels. Providing 100% Zn from Zn hydroxychloride resulted in an economic benefit while maintaining similar performance and carcass characteristics as feeding a combination of ZnSO4 and Zn methionine.

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205 Effect of supplemental trace mineral source on performance, health, and carcass characteristics in finishing beef steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.288 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 157-158

Author(s):

Jeff Heldt ◽

Ben Holland ◽

Alyssa Word ◽

Kendall Karr

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Block Design ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Trace Mineral ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Acid Complex ◽

Amino Acid Complex

Abstract Crossbred beef steers (n = 2,420; 357 ± 16 kg BW) were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental trace mineral sources on the performance and carcass characteristics on feedlot cattle. Steers were housed in 20 pens (120–125 steers per pen) with 10 pens per treatment. Supplemental trace mineral treatments (100% DM) consisted of: control: 8.3 mg/kg of Cu (100% CuSO4), 83.4 mg/kg of Zn (64.1% ZnSO4/35.9% Zn amino acid complex), and 28.7 mg/kg of Mn (100% MnSO4); hydroxy: 8.3 mg/kg of Cu (100% basic Cu chloride), 82.9 mg/kg of Zn (100% Zn hydroxychloride), and 19.3 mg/kg of Mn (100% Mn hydroxychloride). Steers were fed trace mineral treatments for 158 d and harvested at a commercial abattoir. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen as the experimental unit. There were no differences between treatments in DMI, ADG, feed:gain, final BW, or mortality (P ≥ 0.38); however, morbidity tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for hydroxy than control (3.44 or 2.20%, respectively). Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, marbling score, and longissimus muscle area were unaffected (P ≥ 0.28) by treatment, though backfat tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for hydroxy compared to control (1.55 or 1.51 cm, respectively). Distributions of quality grades were not different (P ≥ 0.14) with the exception of increased (P = 0.01) Prime carcasses in control compared to hydroxy (2.57 or 1.18%, respectively). Distributions of yield grades 2, 3, and 4 were not different (P ≥ 0.17) between treatments, though percentage of carcasses assigned 1 was reduced (P = 0.01) and 5 was increased (P = 0.05) in hydroxy compared to control. These data indicate steers fed 100% hydroxychloride trace minerals perform similiarly to steers fed CuSO4, MnSO4, and a ZnSO4/Zn amino acid complex combination.

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107 Effects of increasing doses of trenbolone acetate and estradiol on finishing phase growth performance and carcass trait responses in beef steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.223 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 129-130

Author(s):

Dathan Smerchek ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Linear Increase ◽

Carcass Trait ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Phase Growth ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Trenbolone Acetate ◽

Quadratic Effect

Abstract Continental × English beef steers (n = 240; allotment BW = 365 kg [SD 22.5]) were used in a randomized complete block design feedlot study to evaluate the effects of increasing doses of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and estradiol-17β (E2) on finishing phase growth performance and carcass trait responses. Steers were allotted to 30 concrete surface pens (n = 8 steers/pen) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center (RNC) in Brookings, SD 36 d prior to being implanted. Pens were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) No implant (NI), 2) Synovex Choice [100 mg TBA + 10 mg E2; CH], or 3) Synovex Plus [200 mg TBA + 20 mg E2; PL] on d 1. Cattle were fed for 124 d post-implantation. This experiment was part of a factorial experiment that included bedding application. No interactions between implant and bedding were detected (P ≥ 0.09). A common diet was fed that contained 2.09 Mcal/kg of NEm and 1.39 Mcal/kg of NEg and provided 30 g/ton of monensin sodium to diet DM. The first 6 pen replicates began on test 14 d prior to the last 4 pen replicates. Pen was the experimental unit; an α of 0.05 determined significance. There was a linear increase for both ADG (P = 0.01) and DMI (P = 0.02) with increasing doses of TBA and E2. There was a quadratic effect (P = 0.01) on carcass adjusted final BW. A quadratic effect on G:F was observed, increasing by 21.1%% and 19.5% for CH and PL respectively, compared to NI. No linear (P ≥ 0.14) or quadratic (P ≥ 0.40) effects were observed for dressing percentage, backfat, calculated yield grade, or marbling. A quadratic increase (P = 0.01) in HCW and a linear increase (P = 0.01) in REA was detected with increasing doses of TBA and E2. Combination TBA + E2 implants increased final BW, ADG, DMI, gain efficiency, HCW, and REA at equal BF accumulation without detriment to marbling score.

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270 Evaluation of Steer Implant Strategies for Long-season Grazing of Cool-season Annuals

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.264 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 144-144

Author(s):

Taylor J Garcia ◽

Ryan R Reuter ◽

Frank White ◽

Ken Blue ◽

Daniel Rivera

Keyword(s):

Random Effect ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Single Component ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Cool Season ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Plant Data

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the relative effects of stocker-phase implant strategies on growth and carcass characteristics of beef steers. In each of 2 locations (OK and MS), steers were grazed on cool-season annual pastures in fall 2018 through spring 2019. Steers (n = 300 in MS, n = 240 in OK) were randomly assigned to one of three implant treatments, 1) a single Synovex® One Grass implant at d 0, 2) a single Component® TE-G with Tylan implant at d 0, or 3) a reimplant treatment receiving Component® TE-G with Tylan at d 0 and again at d 82 (OK) or 85 (MS). Steers from each treatment were commingled in 2 (OK) or 3 (MS) pastures for 159 (OK) or 161 d (MS). Following grazing, steers were shipped to a commercial feedyard for finishing, sorted into 3 pens based on BW with each treatment equally represented in each pen, and were managed according to that site’s BMPs. Steers from all treatments were implanted identically in the feedyard. Steers were slaughtered when the pen was visually estimated to be at 1 cm backfat. Carcass data of individuals were collected by camera grading equipment in the packing plant. Data were analyzed as a completely random design with animal as the experimental unit, treatment as a fixed effect, and pasture within location as a random effect. Marbling score tended to be greater in the single Component® TE-G with Tylan (treatment 2) vs. the other 2 treatments (425 vs 408 and 410, P = 0.07). No other production variables, including stocker-phase ADG, approached a significant difference (P > 0.39). No evidence was found to recommend stocker-phase reimplanting even in relatively long stocker phases with high ADG, and producers should consider selecting the most cost-effective implant at grazing initiation.

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Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Mongolian lambs fed native grass or hay with or without concentrate on the Inner Mongolian Plateau

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2019-0126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 470-478

Author(s):

Shuai Du ◽

Sihan You ◽

Jian Bao ◽

Gentu Ge ◽

Yushan Jia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Good Health ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Native Grass ◽

Grass Hay ◽

Similar Body

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of native grass on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Mongolian lambs fed Inner Mongolia native grass in three forms: grass, hay, and hay with concentrate (HC). Sixty Mongolian noncastrated male lambs, in good health and with the same age (6 mo) and similar body weights (mean, 28.63 ± 0.19 kg), were randomly divided into three treatments. There were four replicates in each treatment, with five lambs in one pen as a replicate. Compared with the HC group, the intake of the grass group was higher (P < 0.05) and that of the hay group was lower (P < 0.05). The hay group had a gain of −58.67 g d−1, compared with 42.33 g d−1 for the HC group and 80.00 g d−1 for the grass group. The carcass weight, net meat mass, loin muscle area, and fat thickness (a measure of fat tissue thickness) were greater in the grass and HC groups than in the hay group (P < 0.05). Compared with the hay group, the protein and calcium contents, marbling score, and water loss rate were greater in the grass and HC groups (P < 0.05), whereas the fat, phosphorus, cholesterol contents, and b* score were lower for the latter groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that feeding of native grass hay with concentrate could improve the growth performance and meat quality of Mongolian lambs and achieve results similar to those observed in grass-fed lambs.

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310 Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Steers Consuming Finishing Diets with an Added Nutritional Packet

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.311 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 169-169

Author(s):

Kaue T Tonelli Nardi ◽

Jhones O Onorino Sarturi ◽

Darren D Henry ◽

Francine M Ciriaco ◽

Nelson O Huerta-Leidenz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Vitamin B1 ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Thiamine Hydrochloride ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Finishing Diets

Abstract The effects of a nutritional packet fed to beef steers during the final 64 d of the feedlot finishing phase on growth performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Crossbred-Angus steers (n = 120; initial BW = 544 ± 52 kg) were assigned to 30 pens (4 steers/pen; 15 pens/treatment) in a randomized complete block design where pen represented the experimental unit. A steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet was fed ad libitum, and treatments were applied as follows: 1) control and 2) 30 g/steer-daily (DM-basis) of the nutritional packet (containing live yeast [8.7 Log CFU of Saccharomyces cerevisiae], vitamin C [5.4 g/kg of Ascorbic acid], vitamin B1 [13.33 g/kg of Thiamine hydrochloride], sodium chloride [80 g/kg] and potassium chloride [80 g/kg]). The nutritional packet used ground corn as a carrier and was included at 1 % of diet DM. Orts were quantified daily (if any) and subtracted from the total dietary DM offered to calculate DM intake. Unshrunk BW were collected on d 0, 21, 42 and 64 before daily feeding at 0630 h. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Average daily gain (P = 0.89), dry matter intake (P = 0.57) and, gain:feed (P = 0.66) were not affected by the inclusion of the nutritional packet. The 12th rib fat deposition was increased (P ≤ 0.02) for cattle fed the nutritional packet compared with control (15.70 vs. 13.36 mm, respectively). Consequently, calculated yield grade was also increased (P ≤ 0.03) for cattle consuming the nutritional packet (3.32 vs. 3.02). An improved carcass fat-deposition without any deleterious effects on growth performance potentially warrant less days on feed when cattle receive such nutritional packet.

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

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.770 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 429-430

Author(s):

Brooke C Latack ◽

Pedro H Carvalho ◽

Richard A Zinn

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Animal Health ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Live Weight ◽

Net Energy ◽

Feeding Period ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Eye Infection

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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101 Effects of traditional growth-promoting re-implant or long-acting implant programs on growth performance and carcass characteristics of heifers fed for 221 days

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.228 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 132-132

Author(s):

Marshall Streeter ◽

John Hutcheson ◽

Wade Nichols ◽

Brandon Nuttelman ◽

Grant Crawford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Trenbolone Acetate ◽

Fat Thickness ◽

Initial Processing ◽

Long Acting ◽

Implant Treatment

Abstract Beef heifers (n=1478) were used in a randomized complete block design to compare the effects of a traditional re-implant (Revalor-IH/Revalor-200) or a long-acting implant program (Revalor-XH) on feed yard growth performance and carcass characteristics. Heifers (initial BW = 263 kg; SD = 3.44 kg) were randomized to 1 of 20 pens with pens randomly assigned to Revalor-IH (80 mg trenbolone acetate [TBA], 8 mg estradiol [E]) at initial processing followed by Revalor-200 (200 mg TBA, 20 mg E; Rev-IH/200) 103 days later or Revalor-XH (200 mg TBA, 20 mg E; Rev-XH) implant treatments. Heifers were on feed for an average of 221 d with Rev-XH heifers remaining in their pens for the duration of the study. Final BW (559 kg) and feed efficiency (0.175) did not differ (P > 0.11) between treatments. Dry matter intake was greater (P < 0.10) for Rev-IH/200 (7.70 kg) compared with Rev-XH (7.60 kg) heifers causing greater (P < 0.10) ADG for Rev-IH/200 (1.35 kg) versus Rev-XH (1.33 kg). Heifers implanted with Rev-IH/200 (365 kg) had greater (P < 0.10) HCW than those implanted with Rev-XH (361 kg). However, differences in dressing percentage were not detected (P > 0.15). Longissimus muscle area was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers implanted with Rev-IH/200 (89.55 cm2) versus those implanted with Rev-XH (87.87 cm2). Back fat thickness (1.76 cm), calculated yield grade (3.28) and marbling score (487) did not differ (P > 0.42) due to implant treatment. Differences resulting from implant treatment in the percentage of carcasses within USDA Quality Grades (P > 0.34) and USDA Yield Grades (P > 0.18) were not observed. Heifers that were re-implanted had improved ADG, DMI and HCW compared with those receiving a long-acting implant with minimal effects on carcass characteristics.

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191 Effects of injectable vitamin C at weaning and prior to transit on growth performance and immune function of beef steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.278 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 152-153

Author(s):

Aubree M Beenken ◽

Erin L Deters ◽

Colten W Dornbach ◽

Stephanie L Hansen ◽

Joshua C McCann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Diarrhea Virus ◽

Plasma Ascorbate ◽

Antibody Titers

Abstract Ninety-one early-weaned (65 ± 11 d) Angus steers (92 ± 4 kg) were blocked by age to a 2 × 2 factorial examining effects of injectable vitamin C (VC) at weaning and/or prior to transport to the feedlot on antibody titers and growth performance. Injections (20 mL/steer) of VC (250 mg sodium ascorbate/mL) or saline (SAL) were given at time of weaning on d 0 (WEAN) and/or prior to a 6 hr trucking event to a feedlot on d 49 (TRANS). Steers were given booster vaccinations on d 0. Steers were weighed on d 0, 1, 14, 48, 49, 64, 106, and 107. Blood was collected (12 steers/treatment) on d 0, 1, 2, 14, 49 (pre- and post-transit), 50, and 51. Data were analyzed via Proc-Mixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; n = 22–23/treatment) with fixed effects of block, WEAN, TRANS, and WEAN × TRANS. Plasma ascorbate concentrations for weaning (d 0, 1, and 2) and transit (d 49-pre-trucking, 49-post-trucking, 50, and 51) were analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = day). Plasma ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 1 and 2 for steers that received VC at weaning (VC = 19.6, SAL = 8.8 ± 1.26 µM; WEAN × day P < 0.01). Similarly, ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 49 post-trucking, 50, and 51 for steers that received VC pre-transit (TRANS × day P = 0.01). Treatments did not affect bodyweight or average daily gain throughout the trial (P > 0.32). There were no effects of treatment on serum Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus type 2 antibody titers on d 14 or 51 (P > 0.33). An injection of VC administered to early weaned beef steers at weaning or pre-transit increases plasma ascorbate concentrations but does not improve growth performance or antibody response to vaccination booster.

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PSVIII-21 Multi-strain probiotics improved carcass characteristics and meat quality in pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.765 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 426-426

Author(s):

Ting-Yu Lee ◽

San-Land Young ◽

Chin-Sheng Lin

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Gene Sequencing ◽

Health Benefit ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Pork Quality ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Carcass Characteristic

Abstract Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Many studies have demonstrated that probiotics could enhance the growth performance of swine, but rare evidence on meat quality. Therefore, a combination of Lactobacillus and Bacillus strains, SYNLACTMLeanAd (SLA), on carcass characteristic, meat quality and cecal microbiota of pig was conducted. 60 LYD weaned pigs were randomly allotted to control (corn-SBM based diet, CT), antibiotic (basal diet with 200 ppm Amoxicillin, AB), and multi-strain probiotics (basal diet with SLA at 106 CFU/g feed, SLA). Pigs fed treatment diets from 7 to 130 Kg BW (24 wks) with 20 pigs/TRT, and individual pigs used as experimental unit for carcass evaluation. There were no differences on carcass weight and carcass yield. Lean percentage of CT, AB and SLA were 54.01, 51.54, and 54.75%, respectively (P > 0.05) with subcutaneous fat 21.59, 21.21, 17.22%, and backfat 3.08, 3.21, 2.76 cm, individually (P > 0.05). However, the longissimus muscles area was improved (62.77 vs. 68.42 vs. 91.59 cm2, P < 0.05), loin weight increased (3.52 vs. 3.49 vs. 4.52 Kg, P < 0.05) with greater marbling score (2.38 vs. 1.80 vs.2.78, P < 0.05) in SLA. Sensory evaluation showed pigs fed SLA had higher juiciness score (3.55 vs. 3.18 vs. 3.91, P < 0.05) with better overall acceptance. It is unclear pork quality was different between treatments; however, cecal microbiome gene sequencing suggested a potential linkage of gut microbiota modification and pork quality by AB or SLA feeding.

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