Grain supplementation of calves as an alternative beef production system to pasture-finished steers in Chilean Patagonia: meat quality and fatty acid composition.

Rodrigo Morales,Leire Bravo-Lamas,Noelia Aldai,Carolina E Realini,Francisco Sales,Raúl Lira

doi:10.1093/tas/txz188

Abstract

Beef production in Chilean Patagonia is based on steer finishing on pastures with low nutritive value. Grain supplementation for finishing calves on pasture arises as an attractive alternative to shorten the finishing phase and improve the production efficiency of the traditional system. The aim of this study was to compare meat quality and fatty acid (FA) composition of beef from steers and calves. Forty Angus cross steers were raised on pasture and slaughtered at 18 to 20 mo of age (448 ± 31.7 kg body weight). An additional group of 10 calves from similar genetics was weaned at 9 mo of age (303 ± 8.0 kg) and subsequently supplemented with 2.5 kg corn plus 1.0 kg commercial concentrate daily while on pasture during 47 d, until they reached slaughter weight (316 ± 13.9 kg). All animals were slaughtered on the same day and the Longissimus thoracis muscle was removed from each carcass for meat quality and FA profile analysis. Hot carcass weight from calves was lighter than steers (174 ± 7.9 vs. 224 ± 17.5 kg, P ≤ 0.001). Meat from calves was lighter (higher L*) and less red (lower a*). In addition, meat from calves showed lower level of yellow pigments in subcutaneous fat (lower b*) compared with meat from steers (P ≤ 0.001). Meat from calves was more tender than meat from steers (P ≤ 0.05), although both shear force values were low and within recommendations for high consumer acceptability. Meat from both production systems showed fat content and FA profiles within dietary recommendations for a healthy diet. However, meat from calves was leaner (1.10 ± 0.29 vs. 2.00 ± 0.72% fat, P ≤ 0.001). Meat from calves showed lower percentages of saturated (P ≤ 0.05) and monounsaturated (P ≤ 0.001) FAs and higher percentages of polyunsaturated and n-3 (P ≤ 0.001) FAs and conjugated linoleic acid (total and 9c,11t-18:2 isomer, P ≤ 0.001) than meat from steers. Grain supplementation of calves on pasture can reduce the finishing period by 8 to 10 mo at the expense of lighter carcasses with similar or improved meat quality characteristics compared with the traditional finishing of steers on pasture. Implementation of the alternative production system will depend mainly on feed costs and target carcass weights for specific markets.

Highlights

Beef production in the Chilean Patagonia is traditionally based on extensive pasture systems
The study and all animal handling procedures were approved by the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) Animal Ethics Committee according to the Animal Welfare Act 1999
Calves were weaned at 7 mo of age (303 ± 8.0 kg body weight (BW)) and received increasing levels of grain supplementation during 2 wk until reaching 2.5 kg corn, which was offered on a daily basis

Summary

Introduction

Beef production in the Chilean Patagonia is traditionally based on extensive pasture systems. Live animals are commonly transported from Patagonia to the more productive central-southern zone of Chile for breeding, fattening, and/or slaughter. In this context, there are concerns among farmers from different Patagonian regions about complying with new transport regulations contemplating high animal welfare standards. Alternative animal finishing systems to the traditional grazing in Patagonia, could contribute to the development of the meat industry in the region. Consistent production of high quality meat for the domestic and specially the international market, taking advantage of the increasing meat export potential of the country, is key for the future sustainability of the industry in the region (Abella et al, 2010)

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