Carcass Characteristics Of Cattle Research Articles

Performance and carcass characteristics of cattle with different castration practices

The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of immunocastrated cattle, in comparison to castrated and non-castrated cattle supplemented on pasture. 36 bovines were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, in 3 treatments: non-castrated animals (ANC), animals castrated late by the surgical method (ACC) and immunocastrated animals (AIC), with 12 replicates each. Immunocastration was performed following the protocol of two doses of the immunocastrating vaccine, with an interval of 60 days, promoting a castrated effect of 120 days. The animals were kept on mixed pasture in an extensive rearing system using rotational grazing, they received mineral supplement in the first 3 months and specific feed for the fattening season in the subsequent 3 months, according to the property’s standards. The total experimental period was 180 days. Data were hidden from the normality test, analysis of variance and mean comparisons were performed using the Tukey test, except for the variable degree of finishing, which was maintained at the chi-square test, at 5%. Average daily weight and total weight gains, hot and cold carcass weights and hot and cold carcass yield did not show statistical differences (P>0.05) for animals submitted to different treatments. However, the cooling loss was lower in immunocastrated animals (P<0.05), followed by surgically castrated and non-castrated animals. Immunocastrated and surgically castrated animals showed better carcass finishing (P<0.05) than non-castrated animals. The initial temperature of the carcass was lower (P<0.05) in the immunocastrated group, while for the final temperature no statistical differences (P>0.05) were verified for the animals submitted to different treatments. Final carcass pH was higher (P<0.05) in immunocastrated than in surgically castrated animals, but did not differ (P>0.05) from non-castrated animals. Immunocastrated animals, in a grazing system receiving supplementation, showed similar gains in weight and carcass weight in relation to non-castrated and surgically castrated animals, however, with lower losses to carcass cooling.

PSXIV-13 Supplemental essential oil blends plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 improve carcass characteristics in cattle finished under tropical conditions

Abstract A total of 90 young crossbreed bulls (initial weight=228.04±7.06 kg) were used in a 171-day feeding trial in order to evaluate the combination of supplemental blend of essential oils (Crina® Ruminants; DSM Nutritional Products) plus 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (HyD®, DSM Nutritional Products; EO+HyD) on growth performance and carcass characteristics in cattle finishing under tropical conditions. Cattle were blocked by weight into 2 blocks and randomly allocated to 2 treatments (9 pens/treatment, 5 bulls/pen). Cattle were fed with a steam-flaked corn-based diets (average diet NEm= 1.95 Mcal/kg during first 84-d, and 2.15 Mcal/kg during the remaining 87-d). Treatments consisted of: 1) EO+HyD supplementation along fattening period (171-d), or 2) supplementation with monensin (Rumensin®, Elanco Animal Health; 20 mg/kg diet) during the first 84-d and monensin (20 mg/kg diet) plus virginiamycin (Stafac®, Phibro Animal Health; 20 mg/kg diet) during remaining time (87-d). The average THI during course of the experiment was 76.67±2.7 with a maximum of 85.46±2.2 and minimum of 68.29±2.6. There were no statistical differences (P > 0.10) between EO+HyD and ionophores/antibiotic supplemented cattle on DM intake (7.575 vs 7.534 kg/d), average daily gain (1.433 vs 1.406 kg), or gain-to-feed ratio (0.189 vs 0.187). However, cattle fed with EO+HyD tended (P = 0.07) to have heavier carcass weight in 5.2 kg (304.9 vs 299.7 kg), showed greater LM area (89.89 vs. 82.77 cm², P < 0.01) and greater estimated retail yield (1.6%, P = 0.02) than cattle receiving ionophores/antibiotic mixture. Cattle receiving EO+HyD showed more percentage of carcass classified as Choice (14.28 vs 13.33%) and “Select” (59.52 vs 44.44%) and lower percentage of carcass classified as “Standard” (26.20 vs 42.23%). The combination of a blend of essential oils plus 25-hydroxy-Vit-D3 (EO+HyD) in finishing phase improve carcass characteristics. Supplemental EO+HyD is a viable alternative to supplemental monensin, or monensin plus virginiamycin used in growing-finishing diets for feedlot cattle.

272 Effect of Frame Size and Supplementation on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle Finished on Novel Endophyte-infected Tall Fescue Pastures

Abstract Objectives were to investigate the effects of frame score (FS) and supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics of cattle finished on novel endophyte-infected fescue pastures. This 2-yr experiment used 80 Angus-sired, crossbred steers and heifers bred for divergent FS. Cattle were allotted to 5 treatments: 1) non-supplemented small frame (S-NON; FS = 3.0 ± 0.9), 2) supplemented small frame (S-SUPP), 3) non-supplemented large frame (L-NON; FS = 4.7 ± 0.6), 4) supplemented large frame (L-SUPP), and 5) grain-based control feedlot ration (CON; FS = 4.2 ± 0.6; target ADG = 1.36 kg/day). Daily rations were delivered individually using Calan gates. Pasture supplement contained corn gluten feed, a commercially available rumen-protected prilled vegetable fat, and dried molasses fed at 0.5% of BW. Treatments started on 7/8/2019 and 5/21/2020, and ended in November of each yr when cattle were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Results were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with main effects of treatment, sire, sex, yr, and yr x treatment, with contrast statements comparing large vs. small frame, pasture supplemented vs. non-supplemented, and control vs. pasture groups. As expected, CON had greater (P < 0.001) growth performance (final BW and ADG) and carcass characteristics (HCW, subcutaneous fat, marbling, dressing percentage (DRESS%) than pasture groups, and tended to have greater (P=0.053) REA. Relative to pasture groups, CON had greater (P < 0.001) Minolta L* and a* lean tissue values, and decreased (P < 0.001) b* values for fat tissue. While non-supplemented cattle had decreased (P = 0.016) yield grades (YG), supplemented cattle had greater (P < 0.050) final BW, ADG, subcutaneous fat, HCW, marbling, and DRESS% compared to non-supplemented cattle. Small framed cattle tender to have decreased (P = 0.056) YG; but, large framed cattle had greater (P = 0.006) HCW, and tended (P = 0.060) to have greater ultrasound subcutaneous fat. Results support low-level supplementation in pasture-finishing systems to improve carcass value.

Evaluation of Greek Cattle Carcass Characteristics (Carcass Weight and Age of Slaughter) Based on SEUROP Classification System.

In Greece, all cattle carcasses produced from a variety of breed types are classified according to the SEUROP system. The objective of this study was to evaluate Greek carcass characteristics such as carcass weight and age of slaughter based on SEUROP classification system (muscle conformation and fat deposit classes) and to describe the effect of main factors such as breed, gender, year of slaughter, farm’s geographical region and month of slaughter on these carcass parameters. It is the first study that evaluates local breeds, revealing the wide diversity of the Greek cattle breeding conditions. The analyzed records consisted of 323,046 carcasses from 2011 to 2017. All the examined factors significantly affected the mean carcass weight (298.9 ± 0.2 kg) and the mean slaughter age (559.1 ± 0.3 days). Carcasses from beef meat breeds had on average higher mean carcass weight while the local breeds had lower. The mean slaughter age and carcass weight were higher in winter than in summer. The local and the dairy breeds were classified in similar muscle conformation classes. Finally, Greek cattle carcasses from almost all regions were satisfactory for their quality carcass traits with good muscle conformation (R, O and U class) and low-fat deposit (class 1 to 3).

Effects of corn stalk inclusion rate on rumination and ruminal pH in finishing beef steers

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this experiment was to measure feedlot performance, rumination, ruminal pH, and carcass characteristics of cattle consuming a finishing diet with increasing levels of corn stalks (CS). Materials and Methods Fifty cross-bred steers (initial BW = 302 ± 27 kg) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 5% (5CS; n = 17), 10% (10CS; n = 17), or 15% (15CS; n = 16) CS in a finishing diet based on steam-flaked corn. Experimental design was a randomized complete block, and data were analyzed using generalized random coefficients models. Rumination (min/d) was recorded from all the steers, and half of the steers (n = 27) received an indwelling rumen bolus to monitor pH. Results As CS inclusion rate increased, ADG and G:F decreased (P ≤ 0.05) linearly, whereas DMI of cattle consuming 10CS and 15CS was greater (P ≤ 0.05) than those consuming 5CS. Ruminal pH tended (P Applications Results of this study indicate that optimal dietary roughage inclusion of CS should be between 5 and 10% to optimize feedlot performance while maintaining rumination and ruminal pH.

Body Weight and Steroidal Implants Impact Animal Growth Performance, Sera Metabolites, and Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Feedlot Cattle

The study objective was to evaluate steer growth performance, sera metabolite responses, carcass characteristics, and pulmonary arterial pressure as affected by body weight at time of implantation and steroidal implant administration. Crossbred steers (n = 20) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design experiment, Factors included: body weight: light (L), or heavy (H) and implant: Non-implanted (NoIMP), or Implanted (IMP) with steer serving as the experimental unit for all analyses. Initial weights for L and H steers were 398 ± 27.6 and 547 ± 25.2 kg, respectively. Implanted steers received a terminal implant (200 mg trenbolone acetate and 20 mg estradiol-17β; Revalor-200; Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) on d 0. Cattle within treatments were group housed in common pens (n = 5 steers/pen). Bodyweight, blood samples, and pulmonary arterial pressure were collected on d 0, 14, 35, 70 and 104. Cattle were fed a common diet once daily to provide ad libitum access to feed. The finishing diet contained (DM basis) 13.3% CP, 2.13 Mcal/kg NEm, and 1.45 Mcal/kg NEg. Growth performance (body weight and ADG) and carcass traits were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Sera metabolites were analyzed as repeated measures over time, with day as the repeated measure. For all analyses, α level 0.05) in ADG were observed in NoIMP vs. IMP cattle beyond d 70 (1.21 vs. 1.01 ± 0.16 kg; P = 0.38). Sera urea-N concentrations were decreased (P 0.49). The study reaffirms the effects of implanting on animal growth performance and carcass characteristics in cattle. In addition, elevated BW leads to increased pulmonary arterial pressures which may increase the risk of right-sided heart failure.

Growth, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot Holstein steers fed ractopamine hydrochloride.

Growth-promoting technologies such as implants, ionophores, and β-agonists improve feedlot performance, efficiency, and carcass characteristics of cattle. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of dose and duration of ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics when fed to Holstein steers. A randomized complete block design was used with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 3 RH doses (0, 300, or 400 mg∙steer−1∙d−1) fed for 3 durations (28, 35, or 42 d). Holstein steers (n = 855; initial body weight [BW] = 448 ± 37 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly allocated to 1 of 9 pens (15 blocks; 9 dose × duration treatment combinations) approximately 72 d before harvest. Weekly pen weights, chute temperament scores, and animal mobility were determined during the RH feeding period. At harvest, carcass data were collected on all steers, and tenderness was measured on steaks from 3 or 4 randomly selected steers from each pen and slice shear force (SSF) was determined on one steak selected from each side of the carcass after aging for 14 or 21 d. For feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and SSF, no dose × duration interactions were observed (P ≥ 0.11). With increasing RH dose, average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01), whereas BW gain increased linearly with RH dose and duration (P ≤ 0.01). Hot carcass weight (P = 0.02) and longissimus muscle (LM) area (P ≤ 0.01) increased linearly with increasing RH dose. The percentage of carcasses in the USDA Yield Grade 2 category increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) and percentage of carcasses in the USDA Yield Grade 4 category tended (P = 0.08) to decrease linearly as RH dose increased. In the 14-d aged steaks, the percentage of steaks with SSF ≤ 15.3 kg decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.01), whereas the percentage of steaks with ≥20.0 kg SSF increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) with increasing RH dose. After 21-d aging, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for a greater percentage of steaks from steers fed RH to have SSF ≥ 20.0 kg (2% of total steaks), but no difference (P ≥ 0.12) in the percentage of steaks with SSF ≤ 19.9 kg. Final chute temperament (P ≥ 0.45) and animal mobility (P ≥ 0.67) scores were not affected by feeding RH. Increasing the dose of RH (300 or 400 mg∙steer−1∙d−1) fed for 28 to 42 d before harvest increased ADG, G:F, hot carcass weight, and LM area when fed to Holstein steers with no negative effects on behavior or mobility. The percentage of steaks classified as not tender improved when steaks were aged for 21 d from steers treated with RH.

Carcass characteristics of cattle differing in Jersey proportion

Comparison of alternative dairy (cross-)breeding programs requires full appraisals of all revenues and costs, including beef merit. Few studies exist on carcass characteristics of crossbred dairy progeny originating from dairy herds as well as their dams. The objective of the present study was to quantify, using a national database, the carcass characteristics of young animals and cows differing in their fraction of Jersey. The data set consisted of 117,593 young animals and 42,799 cows. The associations between a combination of sire and dam breed proportion (just animal breed proportion when the dependent variable was on cows) with age at slaughter (just for young animals), carcass weight, conformation, fat score, price per kilogram, and total carcass value were estimated using mixed models that accounted for covariances among herdmates of the same sex slaughtered in close proximity in time; we also accounted for age at slaughter in young animals (which was substituted with carcass weight and carcass fat score when the dependent variable was age at slaughter), animal sex, parity of the cow or dam (where relevant), and temporal effects represented by a year-by-month 2-way interaction. For young animals, the heaviest of the dairy carcasses were from the mating of a Holstein-Friesian dam and a Holstein-Friesian sire (323.34 kg), whereas the lightest carcasses were from the mating of a purebred Jersey dam to a purebred Jersey sire which were 46.31 kg lighter (standard error of the difference = 1.21 kg). The young animal carcass weight of an F1 Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cross was 20.4 to 27.0 kg less than that of a purebred Holstein-Friesian animal. The carcass conformation of a Holstein-Friesian young animal was 26% superior to that of a purebred Jersey, translating to a difference of 0.78 conformation units on a scale of 1 to 15. Purebred Holstein-Friesians produced carcasses with less fat than their purebred Jersey counterparts. The difference in carcass price per kilogram among the alternative sire-dam breed combinations investigated was minimal, although large differences existed among the different breed types for overall carcass value; the carcass value of a Holstein-Friesian animal was 20% greater than that of a Jersey animal. Purebred Jersey animals required, on average, 21 d longer to reach a given carcass weight and fat score relative to a purebred Holstein-Friesian. The difference in age at slaughter between a purebred Holstein-Friesian animal and the mating between a Holstein-Friesian sire with a Jersey dam, and vice versa, was between 7.0 and 8.9 d. A 75.8-kg difference in carcass weight existed between the carcass of a purebred Jersey cow and that of a Holstein-Friesian cow; a 50% Holstein-Friesian-50% Jersey cow had a carcass 42.0 kg lighter than that of a purebred Holstein-Friesian cow. Carcass conformation was superior in purebred Holstein-Friesian compared with purebred Jersey cows. Results from this study represent useful input parameters to populate simulation models of alternative breeding programs on dairy farms, and to help beef farmers evaluate the cost-benefit of rearing, for slaughter, animals differing in Jersey fraction.

Effect of varying trace mineral supplementation of steers with or without hormone implants on growth and carcass characteristics.

To determine the effects of trace mineral (TM) supplementation and hormone implant strategy on growth and carcass characteristics of cattle, 72 Angus-cross steers (388 ± 17 kg) were blocked by body weight (six steers per pen) to a 2 × 3 factorial. Factors included growth-stimulating implant (GS): day 0 with Component TE-IS, reimplanted day 56 with Component TE-200 (IMP) or no implant (NoIMP), and TM supplementation (TM): no supplemental TM (CON), TM supplemented at national (NASEM, 2016). Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. 8th ed. Washington, DC: The National Academics Press) recommendations of 10 Cu, 30 Zn, 20 Mn, 0.10 Se, 0.15 Co, and 0.50 I (mg/kg; REC), or TM supplemented at feedlot consultant recommendations of 20 Cu, 100 Zn, 50 Mn, 0.30 Se, 0.20 Co, and 0.50 I (mg/kg; IND). Steers received a finishing diet for 124 d in GrowSafe bunks and were harvested on day 125. Data were analyzed in SAS as a 2 × 3 factorial with steer as the experimental unit (n = 12 per combination). Day -7 liver trace mineral concentrations were used as a covariate in analysis. There were no GS × TM effects for liver Zn, Mn, Se, or Co (P ≥ 0.11) on day 70 or 125. Implanted steers had lesser liver Cu and Mn on day 70 (P ≤ 0.05) and day 125 compared with NoIMP. There was a GS × TM interaction for liver Cu on day 125 (P = 0.05) where IMP/REC, IMP/IND, and NoIMP/REC had greater liver Cu than NoIMP/CON, which had greater liver Cu than IMP/CON. There was a TM effect for liver Cu on day 70 (P < 0.01) with IND having greater liver Cu than REC and CON. There was a TM effect (P ≤ 0.01) for liver Mn and Se on day 70 where IND had greater Mn and Se than CON, with REC being intermediate. There was a TM effect (P < 0.01) on liver Mn on day 125 where IND had greater liver Mn than CON and greater (P < 0.01) liver Se than CON and REC on day 125, whereas day 125 liver Se was greater in REC vs. CON. Implanted steers had greater (P < 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI), final body weight (BW), overall average daily gain (ADG), G:F, and hot carcass weight (HCW) than NoIMP. Overall DMI was affected by TM (P < 0.01) with REC and IND being greater than CON. There was a TM effect for carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and DMI (P ≥ 0.03) and a tendency for TM to affect adjusted G:F (P = 0.07). There was a TM effect (P = 0.03) for HCW where IND was greater than CON and REC. There was a GS × TM (P = 0.02) for ribeye area (REA); within IMP, CON were greater than IND, whereas REC were intermediate while NoIMP had smaller REA, regardless of TM supplementation. Additional research is needed to better determine trace mineral requirements of finishing beef steers for optimal performance.

639 Effect of trace mineral supplementation with or without hormone implants on growth and carcass characteristics of steers

To determine the effects of trace mineral (TM) supplementation and hormone implant strategy on growth and carcass characteristics of cattle, 72 Angus-cross steers (388 ± 17 kg) were blocked by BW (6 steers per pen) to a 2 × 3 factorial. Steers were either implanted (d 0 with Component TE-IS, reimplanted d 56 with Component TE-200; IMP) or not (NoIMP). Within implant treatments cattle received no supplemental TM (CON), TM supplemented at 2016 NRC recommendations of 10 Cu, 30 Zn, 20 Mn, 0.10 Se, 0.15 Co, and 0.50 I (mg/kg; NRC), or TM supplemented at feedlot consultant recommendations of 20 Cu, 100 Zn, 50 Mn, 0.30 Se, 0.20 Co, and 0.50 I (mg/kg; IND). Blood samples were collected on d -7, 70 and 124. Steers received a finishing diet for 124 d in GrowSafe bunks and were harvested on d 125. Data were analyzed in SAS as a 2 × 3 factorial with the fixed effect of block, and steer as experimental unit (n = 12 per combination). Day -7 glucose concentrations were used as a covariate in analysis. There was a tendency (P = 0.06) for an IMP × TM for d 124 plasma glucose with NoIMP/NRC being greater than NoIMP/IND and all other treatments intermediate. There were no IMP × TM for final BW, overall ADG, DMI, G:F, dressing percent, backfat, marbling score, or KPH (P ≥ 0.17). Overall ADG tended (P = 0.07) to be and HCW was (P = 0.03) affected by TM, where IND was greater than CON (HCW: 373, 378, and 388 kg for CON, NRC, and IND, respectively). Overall DMI was increased by TM (P < 0.0001) with NRC and IND being greater than CON. Steers receiving implants had greater (P < 0.0001) final BW (559 and 617 kg for NoIMP and IMP, respectively), overall ADG (1.35 and 1.83 kg for NoIMP and IMP, respectively), DMI, G:F, and HCW (359 and 400 kg for NoIMP and IMP, respectively) than NoIMP. There was an IMP × TM (P = 0.02) for ribeye area (REA) with IMP/CON having greater REA than IMP/IND, with IMP/NRC being intermediate; NoIMP had smaller REA, regardless of TM supplementation. There was an IMP × TM (P = 0.02) for YG where NoIMP/IND was greater than IMP/CON with all other treatments intermediate. These data indicate NRC TM recommendations might not be adequate for finishing beef steers, irrespective of hormone implant administration.

Effects of Exposure to a High-Concentrate or Pasture Based Diet for Varied Time Periods on Carcass Characteristics and Quantitative Analyses of Composition and Tenderness of Beef Strip Loin Steaks of Early Fed Steers

ObjectivesIt is generally accepted that exposure to a high concentrate diet promotes improved carcass characteristics in cattle, but less has been done to explore carcass effects of early exposure to concentrate post-weaning across serial fed periods. The objective of this study was to assess carcass quality, composition, and tenderness of beef strip loin steaks from steers finished early post-weaning on either a pasture-based diet or various time periods on a high concentrate diet, followed by pasture finishing. Materials and MethodsFollowing a live feeding trial at Clemson University (Clemson, SC), 47 steers were harvested on 2 dates at a commercial slaughterhouse (either 308 or 354 total d on trial), and carcass data were collected, including hot carcass weight (HCW), ribeye area (REA), 12th rib backfat thickness (FT), KPH, marbling score, and skeletal maturity. Steers were blocked by initial shrunk body weight (SBW) and assigned to diet treatment groups following weaning. Weight blocks were: light, middle, and heavy (214 ± 9 kg, 229 ± 9 kg, 250 ± 10 kg, respectively; n = 4/treatment/block). Animals were individually fed, and treatment groups included: all pasture (P; n = 12), 40 d high concentrate feed (40d; n = 12), 80 d high concentrate feed (80d; n = 11), 120 d high concentrate feed (120d; n = 12), followed by pasture finishing to a mean final SBW of 465 ± 29 kg. Loins were separated from the carcass 1 d post-harvest and stored at 0 to 4°C until 21 d postmortem. After aging, loins were frozen (–20°C) until further processing. Subprimals were fabricated into 2.5 cm steaks while still frozen and vacuum packaged for storage. The anterior-most steak was used for proximate analysis, conducted using a near infrared spectrophotometer; pH was measured subsequently using a slurry of ground product from the same steak. WBSF was conducted using the second most anterior steak. Data were analyzed using Proc GLIMMIX of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with treatment as the fixed effect. Carcass data were analyzed with block and harvest date as random effects. Cooking loss was included as a covariate (P < 0.01) in the analysis of WBSF. ResultsNo differences were detected in full SBW or shrunk dressing percentage (P = 0.41, P = 0.07, respectively), though HCW did differ between treatments (P = 0.03). Marbling score was also influenced by diet (P < 0.01), as was FT (P = 0.04). In all 3 cases, 120d differed from other treatments, having a heavier HCW, greater marbling scores, and greater FT compared to the remaining diets. Skeletal maturity was not influenced by diet (P = 0.65), and no differences were detected for REA (P = 0.08), KPH (P = 0.17), or calculated yield grade (P = 0.57). Percent lipid content differed between treatments in proximate analysis (P = 0.01) with 120d having the greatest fat content. Consequently, moisture differed between treatments (P = 0.03), though percent protein and collagen did not (P = 0.34, P = 0.07, respectively). The pH was similar between treatments (P = 0.64), as was WBSF value (P = 0.98). ConclusionWhile varied lengths of exposure to high-concentrate diet early post-weaning had little effect on yield grade and dressing percentage, these data suggest that early exposure to a high-concentrate diet for 120 d increased fat deposition, and therefore backfat thickness, marbling, and percent fat in muscle composition.

Performance and carcass characteristics of cattle fed lipid sources in the diet

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of different lipid sources [whole cottonseed (CS) and protected fat in diets containing sugarcane, corn, citrus pulp, CS meal, and urea] on animal performance, hot carcass dressing (HCD), ribeye area (RA), fat thickness (FT), and postmortem pH of the meat of Nellore cattle during finishing. The treatments evaluated were feed with 2.50% CS (control diet, T1 treatment); feed with 11.50% CS (high CS, T2 treatment); and feed with 3.13% CS added of protected lipid (PL) (T3 treatment), all on a DM basis. The forage:concentrate ratio of the diet was 50:50. Thirty-nine intact steers with average initial body weight of 494 kg and 36 months old were confined for 63 d. The addition of lipid sources tested in this study did not affect dry matter intake, crude protein intake, neutral detergent fiber intake, final live weight, average daily weight gain, HCD, RA, FT, and meat pH. It was concluded that the addition of PLs in the diet did not affect weight gain and carcass characteristics.

Effect of initial respiratory viral-bacterial combination vaccine on performance, health, and carcass traits of auction-market derived feedlot heifers

A total of 2,528 lightweight heifers were used to compare 2 viral-bacterial respiratory vaccine products containing modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus types 1 and 2, and a Mannheimia haemolytica bacterial component, on performance, health, and carcass characteristics of cattle in a commercial feedlot setting. The vaccine products compared were Pyramid? 5+Presponse? SQ (PYR PSQ) and Bovi-Shield GOLD? One Shot (BOV ONE). No differences (P?0.68) in gain performance or feed conversion were observed between treatments. Hot-carcass weight tended to be less (P=0.06) in cattle administered PYR PSQ compared to cattle in the BOV ONE treatment group. Percentages of "no roll" and Yield Grade 4 carcasses were higher (P?0.04) for BOV ONE cattle, while the percentage of Yield Grade 1 carcasses was higher (P=0.05) in the PYR PSQ treatment. Neither BRD first treatment morbidity nor retreatment risks were significantly different among treatments (P?0.33), with 13.25% of all cattle receiving treatment for BRD. The incidence of chronics, case fatalities, and mortalities associated with BRD also did not differ (P?0.46) between treatments. Furthermore, the incidence of chronics and mortalities due to all causes did not differ (P?0.62) between treatments. There was little evidence to suggest that administration of these different combination vaccines to lightweight auction-market heifers upon arrival at the feedlot results in important health differences.

Reality in Live Animal and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Cattle Slaughtered in Six Abattoirs in Tanzania

The objective of this study was to look on some slaughter and carcass characteristics of cattle slaughtered directly from extensive system in six abattoirs in regions where there is large number of livestock population. The data belong to 1,244 cattle slaughtered in the slaughter houses for a period of 21 consecutive days of January 2014. The information herein explore and validate the data given in different statistical sources. Since the beef industry is currently constrained by low genetic potential of existing stock, inadequate infrastructure, inadequate marketing system, prevalence of animal diseases, inadequate feed resources, weak livestock farmer’s organizations and inadequate technical support services, this information will be used by policy makers and scientists to improve the beef cattle productivity and beef products from the existing stock. The survey results of the 1,244 sampled animals showed that most of the animals were slaughtered when aged between four to six years and differed (P

Ethiopian beef carcass characteristics

This study was conducted to evaluate beef carcass characteristics of cattle slaughtered at local abattoirs in Ethiopia. About 10% of carcasses (3080) were collected from Adama, Hawassa, Mekelle and Kombolcha abattoirs between August 2013 and January 2014. The results of the study showed that 98.56% of cattle slaughtered were indigenous cattle while 1.44% was Holstein Frisian. The average carcass weight of indigenous cattle was 135.90 + 0.69 kg. Carcass weight was significantly (p<0.001) different between abattoirs, season, conformation grades, fat grades and categories of cattle. Conformation grade 1, 2 and 3 accounted for 30, 34.29 and 35.71% of carcasses evaluated, respectively. Fat grade1, 2 and 3 accounted for 67.5, 23.57 and 8.93% of carcasses evaluated, respectively. Intact bulls, castrated bulls, growing bulls and cows accounted for 26.07, 64.64, 3.95 and 5.36% cattle slaughtered, respectively. Higher carcass weight, higher proportion of superior conformation and fat grade were observed in the wet season compared to the dry season. Inferior conformation and fat grades were relatively higher for cows (80 and 84.42%) and castrated bulls (37.57 and 67.96%) compared to other categories of cattle. From the study it was concluded that the use of dairy beef was very low in Ethiopia. The proportion of carcass with little /no fat cover (fat grade 1) was very high. The relatively better carcasses weight, conformation and fat grades in the wet season compared to the dry season indicates the opportunities to improve carcass weight and quality through better feeding management.

Vaccinating with SRP E. coli does not affect feeder cattle performance, health, or carcass characteristics (2012)

Siderophore-receptor and porin-based (SRP) Escherichia coli vaccine technology functions by starving the E. coli organism via competitive exclusion for proteins that scavenge iron, an essential nutrient for E. coli viability. Vaccination with SRP E. coli technology decreased the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in artificially inoculated cattle and in cattle naturally shedding the organism. Examination of the effects that SRP E. coli vaccines exert on performance parameters has yet to be attempted in a commercial setting. The use of SRP E. coli vaccine technology effectively decreases the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feeder cattle and may improve beef safety; however, the vaccine's effects on the economics of cattle feeding are unknown. Therefore, the objective of our study was to assess the effects of vaccinating cattle three times with an SRP E. coli vaccine verses a placebo on performance, health, and carcass characteristics of cattle fed in commercial feedlots.

Effects of SRP® E. coli Vaccine Technology on Feeder Cattle Performance, Health, and Carcass Characteristics

The use of SRP® E. coli vaccine technology effectively decreases the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feeder cattle, thus making it a valuable tool for increasing food safety in the beef industry. However, questions continue to be raised about the vaccine effects on economic drivers in cattle feeding. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of vaccinating cattle three times with SRP® E. coli vaccine technology verses a placebo (control) on performance, health, and carcass characteristics of cattle fed in commercial feedlots.

Relationships between fed cattle traits and Igenity panel scores1

Although several previous studies have identified associations between cattle carcass characteristics and various SNP, comparatively little work has sought to validate the marker panels currently sold and marketed by commercial genotyping companies. Panels typically use a handful of SNP, but these range from as few as 2 to more than 100. Data from 764 commercially fed steers and heifers were used to assess the relationships of growth and carcass traits and Igenity panel scores for ADG, marbling (or percentage of USDA Choice), rib-eye area (REA), tenderness, fat thickness, and USDA Yield grade (YG). Results revealed statistically significant, but low, correlations between carcass measurements and corresponding Igenity panel scores. Genetic correlations were computed among the various Igenity panels and demonstrated either that several common markers existed across the panels or that markers across panels were in high linkage disequilibrium. Across all breeds, the genotypic correlations between the Igenity panel scores for ADG, REA, marbling, and YG with observed ADG, REA, USDA Quality grade, and YG at slaughter were 0.51, 0.38, 0.63, and 0.59 (P < 0.01), respectively. The partial effects of the Igenity marbling panel persisted in a multivariate regression model. Net return was significantly affected only by marbling panel score; a 1-unit increase in marbling panel score increased the net return by an estimated $7.53 per animal.

Utilização do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar em dietas com elevada proporção de concentrados para novilhos Nelore em confinamento

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho e características de carcaça de bovinos submetidos a dietas de alto concentrado contendo 15, 21 ou 27% da matéria seca em bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. Foram utilizados 24 novilhos Nelore, com peso médio em jejum de 279 kg e 24 meses de idade, confinados por um período de 98 dias. Não foram observados efeitos significativos para as características de ganho médio diário (média =1,461 kg) e eficiência alimentar. Foi observado efeito linear entre matéria seca ingerida e níveis de bagaço, com maior consumo nos tratamentos com menor percentagem de bagaço. Consistente com o comportamento do consumo, o peso do fígado também apresentou efeito linear, em função dos níveis de bagaço, sendo maior nos tratamentos com maior proporção de concentrado. As características peso de carcaça quente, gordura renal e pélvica, área de olho de lombo e espessura de gordura subcutânea não diferiram entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, observou-se comportamento linear do rendimento de carcaça, em função dos níveis de bagaço, sendo maior nos tratamentos com maior proporção de concentrado, consistente com o nível energético da ração. Os resultados indicam a viabilidade do uso de 15 ou 21% de bagaço como único volumoso, em dietas com elevada proporção de concentrado contendo milho, polpa de citrus e farelo de soja para novilhos Nelore em confinamento.

Relationship of plasma leptin concentration to intramuscular fat content in beef from crossbred Wagyu cattle

Plasma leptin concentrations and beef cattle carcass characteristics in eight Continental Crossbred steers [0% Wagyu Cattle (WC)] were compared to crossbred cattle with 50 and 75% WC (eight steers each) genetic makeup to determine if a relationship exists between plasma leptin concentrations and intramuscular fat content (marbling) in beef cattle. Plasma leptin concentrations were measured at two stages of cattle growth, 16 and 4 wk prior to slaughter (W P S). Beef cattle characteristics including marbling score, ribeye area, i.m. total lipid content, and backfat depth were determined, and correlation coefficients obtained between these traits and leptin concentration at both sampling dates. Plasma leptin concentrations increased relative to the lipid content in the 24 steers based on the significant positive correlation observed between plasma leptin and total lipids (% wet weight) from both pars costalis diaphragmatis (p.c.d.)(16 WPS: r = 0.69, P = 0.0004; 4 WPS: r = 0.35, P = 0.104) and longissimus (16 WPS: r = 0.59, P = 0.002; 4 WPS: r = 0.51, P = 0.011) muscles. A trend was observed, however, at 4 WPS when the groups of varying Wagyu genetics were compared. Plasma leptin was positively correlated with muscle lipid content for the 0% Wagyu cattle (longissimus: r = 0.62, P = 0.103; p.c.d.:r = 0.40, P = 0.410)but there was almost no correlation in these parameters for the 50% WC (longissimus: r = 0.11, P = 0.797; p.c.d.: r = 0.005, P = 0.990). Plasma leptin concentration was negatively correlated with lipid content in the 75% WC (longissimus: r = –0.60, P = 0.120; p.c.d.: r = –0.65, P = 0.164). The results suggest that increasing Wagyu genetics negates any relationship between leptin concentrations and i.m. fat content in cattle. Key words: Wagyu crossbred cattle, meat quality, intramuscular fat, marbling, leptin