401 Effect of zinc source and ractopamine hydrochloride on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed in confinement to harvest

Abstract

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.