Live Animal Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Bullocks and Steers

1978 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Landon ◽  
H. B. Hedrick ◽  
G. B. Thompson
2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zhang ◽  
J.L. Aalhus ◽  
C. Gariépy ◽  
B. Uttaro ◽  
O. López-Campos ◽  
...  

Performance and quality traits were measured in carcasses from combinations of genotype, diet supplement, slaughter weight, and carcass chilling regime. Iberian-crossed pigs had lower live animal performance than Duroc and Lacombe. From 70 to 115 kg, Lacombe pigs grew slightly faster than Duroc. Duroc carcasses had a higher lean percentage, heavier ham and picnic primals, and lighter loins and bellies, compared with Lacombe and Iberian. Heavier carcasses had lower lean yield, except those from Iberian-crossed pigs, and bigger bellies. Meat from Duroc-crossed pigs was lighter in colour and higher in marbling, with intermediate values for fat hardness. Iberian carcasses displayed dark meat with intermediate marbling and the hardest fat. Meat from Lacombe pigs was the leanest although, like in all three breeds, marbling scores were higher in heavier carcasses. Generally, supplementing with canola and flax decreased and blast chilling increased fat hardness values. Dietary canola also seemed to affect meat colour traits, but these effects were not consistent among breeds and slaughter weights. The commercial combination of Duroc breed, control diet, and 115-kg slaughter weight showed a balance in terms of performance, carcass, and quality traits. Other combinations evaluated in this study showed potential to efficiently produce differentiated pork.


Meat Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.D. Boler ◽  
A.L. Shreck ◽  
D.B. Faulkner ◽  
J. Killefer ◽  
F.K. McKeith ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 286-286
Author(s):  
Lauren M Mayer ◽  
Kevin Martens ◽  
Loni W Lucherk ◽  
Ty E Lawrence ◽  
Travis C Tennant

Abstract Heifers (n = 1,394; 291 ± 9.9 kg) were used to test the effects of a direct-fed microbial (10-G) on live growth performance and carcass characteristics. Heifers were blocked by arrival day and randomly allocated to treatment (0 or 2g/animal/d; CON and 10-G, respectively) in a randomized complete block design with ten pens per treatment. Heifers were fed for an average of 192 days. Growth and carcass outcomes were analyzed using mixed models with pen as experimental unit and block as random effect. Dry matter intake (P = 0.63), average daily gain (P = 0.69), gain:feed (P = 0.95) and final body weight (P = 0.79) did not differ between treatments. Neither deads and removals (P = 0.52) nor first or second treatment morbidity rates (P ≥ 0.84) were different between treatments. Hot carcass weight (P = 0.19), dressed carcass yield (P = 0.33), 12th rib fat depth (P = 0.73), ribeye area (P = 0.13), calculated empty body fat (P = 0.71) or marbling score (P = 0.20) were not different between treatments. Yield grade distributions did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.44), however cattle fed 10-G tended (P = 0.09; 15.78 vs 20.34%) to be represented by fewer USDA Select carcasses. Livers from cattle fed 10-G tended (P = 0.10; 1.02 vs 2.19%) to have a lower frequency of abscesses when compared to CON. Heifers fed 10-G also had fewer (P < 0.05; 5.27 vs 8.51%) severe liver abscesses. These results suggest that supplementing fed beef heifers with 10-G decreased rates of severe liver abscesses without altering live animal performance or carcass characteristics.


Author(s):  
C E Bakker ◽  
L M Hite ◽  
C L Wright ◽  
D W Brake ◽  
A J Smart ◽  
...  

Abstract Brassica cover crops are an option for producers to incorporate into their cropping system to improve soil health and also provide a feed resource for cattle. While brassica cover crops have been widely used for grazing cows, their use as a backgrounding feedstuff is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of feeding a brassica cover crop mixture during backgrounding on live animal performance and carcass characteristics. Thirty Angus-based steers were assigned to one of two dietary treatments during backgrounding 1) ad libitum access to a diet containing freshly cut brassica cover crop forage (CC) containing radish, turnip, rapeseed, rye grass and a liquid supplement or 2) common Midwestern dry lot growing diet containing silage, soybean meal, grass hay, and a liquid supplement (CON). Steers were assigned to electronic feed bunks (Insentec RIC, Hokofarm Group; Marknesse, Netherlands) for collection of individual feed intake. Diets were formulated to be nutritionally similar on a dry matter basis. Steers were paired by weight across treatments and pair fed. Dry matter intake was calculated daily for steers in the CC treatment and the following day CON steers were allowed access to an equal amount of dry matter using the Insentec RIC system. Steers were weighed weekly and backgrounded for 44 days before transitioning to a common finishing diet and weighed every 28 days. Steers were harvested at an estimated average backfat thickness of 1 cm. Standard carcass data were measured and strip loins and shoulder clods were collected. Instrumental and subjective color was measured on ground beef for 8 days and instrumental color was measured on strip steaks for 11 days. Treatment did not influence carcass characteristics, average daily gain, dry matter intake (P > 0.17). However, CON steers exhibited increased gain to feed ratio (P = 0.02). Additionally, a treatment by d interaction was observed for ground beef discoloration as the CC treatment displayed increased discoloration on day 4, 6, and 7 of case life (P < 0.01). These data indicate that brassicas may be utilized in a backgrounding diet without negatively impacting carcass characteristics but may decrease case life of ground beef.


Meat Science ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.L. Wilson ◽  
C.L. Egan ◽  
W.R. Henning ◽  
E.W. Mills ◽  
T.R. Drake

1964 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1102-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Wilson ◽  
C. A. Dinkel ◽  
H. J. Tuma ◽  
J. A. Minyard

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 160-160
Author(s):  
John Wagner ◽  
William T Nelson ◽  
Terry Engle ◽  
Jerry Spears ◽  
Jeff Heldt ◽  
...  

Abstract Four hundred and thirty-two beef steers (346.3 ± 63.7 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of Zn source on feedlot cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride. Cattle were blocked in groups of 54 by BW and housed in 48 pens containing 9 steers per pen. Pens within a weight block were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with factors being: 1) 0 or 30.1 mg of ractopamine HCl/kg DM fed during the final 29 days on feed; and 2) Zn source: 90 mg of supplemental Zn/kg DM from ZnSO4; Zn sulfate (67%) + Zn methionine (33%); and Zn from Zn hydroxychloride, fed through the entire feeding period. Cattle were fed a high concentrate finishing diet for 154 d and slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Average daily gain, DMI, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were determined after slaughter. Zinc source had no impact on live animal performance. Cattle fed ractopamine HCl had greater (P < 0.01) final BW, greater (P < 0.001) ADG, improved (P < 0.001) G:F, heavier (P < 0.01) HCW, and larger (P < 0.05) longissimus muscle compared to non-ractopamine supplemented steers. There was a Zn source by ractopamine interaction (P < 0.01) for dressing percentage. Cattle receiving ractopamine HCl with Zn hydroxychloride had a greater dressing percentage (P < 0.05) when compared to ractopamine HCl cattle fed other Zn sources. Cattle receiving ractopamine HCl with Zn sulfate had a lesser dressing percentage (P < 0.05) when compared to ractopamine HCl cattle fed other Zn sources. Additional Zn source by ractopamine HCl interactions were not significant. These data indicate that Zn source has minimal impacts on feedlot steer performance and carcass characteristics when supplemented to cattle receiving 0.0 or 30.1 mg of ractopamine HCl/kg DM.


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