Abstract
The objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of different dietary energy sources on the carcass and meat traits of feedlot Nellore bulls. A total of 48 Nellore bulls at 32 months of age with 354.35±19.56 kg body weight were studied for 85 days. The bulls were allotted to four groups of 12 individuals: Whole corn grain - diet based on whole corn grain; Ground corn - diet based on ground corn grain; Citrus pulp - diet based on citrus pulp; and Steam-flaked corn - diet based on steam-flaked corn. Diets did not influence carcass quality or meat quality. Average values for fat depth, rib eye area, shear force, total cooking losses, and carcass yield were 4.97 mm, 74.71 cm2, 5.85 kgf, 26.82%, and 52.0%, respectively. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of this study, there is no restriction for the adoption of any of the tested diets in feedlots with Nellore bulls and the evaluated energy sources may be used to replace ground corn grain.
Highlights
Feed accounts for most of the production costs in feedlot systems
Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of this study, there is no restriction for the adoption of any of the tested diets in feedlots with Nellore bulls and the evaluated energy sources may be used to replace ground corn grain
The following treatments were applied: Whole corn grain - diet consisting of whole-grain corn and commercial pelleted supplement; Ground corn - diet consisting of Pennisetum purpureum silage and ground corn grain as the main ingredient in concentrate; Citrus pulp - diet consisting of Pennisetum purpureum silage and citrus pulp as the main feed in concentrate; Steam-flaked corn - diet consisting of Pennisetum purpureum silage and steam-flaked corn as the main ingredient in concentrate
Summary
Feed accounts for most of the production costs in feedlot systems. Feeding programs are based on studies aimed at understanding with greater accuracy the interactions and impacts generated by using high levels of concentrate of various sources on cattle feeding. Animals fed high amounts of concentrate may have a faster growth rate, which will benefit qualitative traits, including tenderness, because they reach the point of slaughter sooner (Costa et al, 2005). Among the variables of the high cost of feeding, the energy source is almost dependent on corn. Corn is valued in the feeding of monogastric animals. The viability of replacing corn by another energy source would contribute to reducing feed costs for feedlot cattle
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