PSV-13 Evaluation of Hydrafit Pre-Slaughter on Finishing Beef Steer: Dressing Percentage, Hot Carcass Weight, and Cold Carcass Weight

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine if electrolyte application (glycerol-based electrolyte solution containing potassium chloride, acetic acid, magnesium hydroxide, sodium propionate, and sodium chloride; 5.10% potassium, 1.00% sodium, and 0.87% magnesium; HydraFit—Micronutrients USA LLC, Indianapolis IN) before shipping for harvest increased cold carcass weight in beef steers. Steers (n = 40; 20 steers per treatment; BW = 659 ± 72.9 kg) were weighed 40 h before harvest, blocked by BW (n = 4 BW blocks), and assigned to one of two treatments: no HydraFit (Con) or HydraFit (HF) added to the water at 4% vol/vol (4 pens/treatment, 8 pens total). Feed and water access was not restricted nor was a shrink percentage applied to any BW measures. Thirty-six hours before harvest a 378 L water tank was filled with water from the same source the steers had been consuming since arrival. Water and feed were introduced at 36 h before harvest. Final BW was captured immediately before shipping (12 h prior to harvest). Cattle were transported 98 km to a commercial abattoir. Cattle were held in lairage with ad libitum access to water before harvest the following morning. Water intake pre-shipment was determined after the cattle were removed from the pens and transported to slaughter. Water volume was estimated by measuring water depth remaining in the tank. Depth measurements were calibrated to water volume by metering (DM-P; Assured Automation, Roselle, NJ; ± 1.0%) 0.64 cm of water into each tank and recording the liters of water metered. Hot carcass weight was determined at the time of slaughter and cold carcass data was determined after a 48-hour chill. One steer from Con was condemned at the abattoir for reasons unrelated to treatment, consequently, the contribution of this steer to the pen mean was deleted. Providing HF in the drinking water for approximately 22 hours before shipping for harvest tended to increase final body weight (P = 0.08) by 1% but had no effect (P ≥ 0.88) on hot or cold carcass weight. In conclusion, providing a glycerol-based electrolyte solution to finished beef cattle for approximately 22 hours before shipping for harvest tended to improve final body weight.