Abstract
English crossbred steers (n = 32) and heifers (n = 32) were fed a corn- based finishing diet and supplemented with 2% Ascophyllum nodosum on a DM basis to for various feeding stages of the 119 d feeding period determine the supplementation strategy that maximized intramuscular fat deposition as determined by quality grade. All cattle were implanted with Ralgro® on d 36 of the trial and re-implanted with Revalor-S® or Revalor-H® on d 92. Cattle were blocked by sex and divided into one control and three treatment groups receiving Ascophyllum nodosum. Treatment 1 (trt 1) received Ascophyllum nodosum from d 36 to 50 of the feeding period, trt 2 received Ascophyllum nodosum for the last 14 d of the feeding period, and trt 3 which received Ascophyllum nodosum for both d 36-50 and the last 14 d of the feeding period. Cattle were weighted initially (385±4.53 kg) and every 28 d following until they reach an average BW of 554±7.46 kg. No effect for Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation was found on measured performance characteristics. All treatment groups supplemented with Ascophyllum nodosum had higher actual marbling scores (p<0.05) than controls. Trt 1 was found to have a highest marbling score (572.5; p<0.05), whereas the control group having the lowest marbling score (473.8). Trt 1 had a higher quality grade (5.25; p<0.05) than the control (3.94) group, but did not differ from trt 2 (4.56; p = 0.105) and trt 3 (4.75; p = 0.236) where high Select = 4, and low Choice = 5. Trt 2 did not differ from trt 3 (p = 0.655), or the control group (p = 0.140) for quality grade. However, trt 3 did tend to differ (p = 0.057) from the control group for quality grade. Control group animals graded 25% Choice, 62.5% Select; trt 1 graded 75% Choice, 18.8% Select; trt 2 graded 62.5% Choice, 25% Select and trt 3 graded 56.3% Choice and 31.2% Select. Overall, treatment groups had a 39.6% increase in Choice quality grade and a 37.5% decrease in Select quality grade when compared to the control animals.
Highlights
Ascophyllum nodosum on a DM basis to for various feeding stages of the 119 d feeding period determine the supplementation strategy that maximized intramuscular fat deposition as determined by quality grade
In previous studies using Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation on pasture it was found that no differences exist in any animal performance characteristics including weight gain, ADG, and feed efficiency between animals (Allen et al, 2001)
This is consistent with our results, where we feed Ascophyllum nodosum to finishing cattle resulting in no effect on weight gain or feed efficiency during the finishing trial (p>0.05)
Summary
Negative effect of implants on carcass merit any intervention that could increase intramuscular fat deposition. Marbling is a contributing factor in beef palatability; a in implanted cattle without effecting performance would determining factor in identifying “desirable” steaks and one increase producer profits and consumer acceptance. Increased marbling improves overall palatability, and While the mechanism of action is currently unknown the increases consumer satisfaction in addition to increasing inclusion of Ascophyllum nodosum into beef cattle diets has income through USDA choice and prime quality grade grid improved animal health, food safety and carcass quality incentives (Savell et al, 1987). Repetitive implant strategies result in lower cell function, increased circulating antioxidant levels, and marbling scores and overall quality grades Treatment diets contained a 2% Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation on a DM
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