Carcass Measurements Research Articles

Relevance of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplementations on hemato-biochemical parameters, metabolic hormones, biometric measurements and carcass characteristics of sub-tropical Noemi lambs

The effects of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic preparations on hemato-biochemical parameters, metabolic hormones, biometric measurements and carcass characteristics of growing lambs were studied. Twenty four growing Noemi male lambs were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=6/group) in a complete randomized design and blocked according to their initial weights. Lambs in the first group were orally given 50 ml of physiological saline (0.9% NaCl) and served as control (CON), while lambs in other three groups were orally given 50 ml of aqueous dandelion extract (PRE) or fermented cow’s milk supplemented with lactic acid bacteria (PRO) or their mixture (1:1, SYN) every other day for 8 consecutive weeks. The results indicated that treatment had no effects on hematological parameters, except leukocytes number which was elevated (P<0.05) in all treated lambs compared to CON-lambs. Treatments had no effect on blood serum cholesterol, whereas treatment with PRO and SYN increased (P<0.05) blood serum glucose. Blood serum insulin and IGF-I concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in lambs given SYN than lambs in other groups. Different supplementations improved (P<0.05) finishing weight of lambs compared to control. There were no significant differences in carcass weight and dressing percentage among treatments. Values of most carcass measurements were not affected by treatment except a significant increase in chest depth in all supplemented lambs compared to control. Regarding to eye muscle area, as an indicator of tissue growth, there was a tendency of increase in the carcass of PRO and SYN lambs as compared to those of PRE and CON-lambs. Most offal weights were not affected by treatment, however a significant increase in weight of digestive tract was observed for PRO-group compared with CON, but other treatments did not show a significant effect. Yield of commercial cuts was not affected by treatment except for breast and loin cuts. The heaviest breast weight was found in carcass of lambs given PRO (P<0.05) and the heaviest weight of loin cut was in favor of those given SYN. The meat in carcass of control and PRE was lower than that of PRO and SYN with no significant differences. In conclusion, supplementing probiotics fermented cow’s milk to growing lambs improves their metabolic status and thus growth efficiency without a significant change in their carcass traits.

Effects of Energy Source and Level, and Sex on Carcass and Meat Characteristics in Lambs

ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to investigate concerns of excessively fat lambs in the U.S. by comparing energy source and level, and the sex of lamb, on lamb carcass and meat characteristics.Materials and MethodsEwe (n = 48) and wether (n = 48) lambs were blocked by sex and stratified by initial weight to pen. The three diets were ad libitum whole shelled corn (WSC; AC), 85% of ad libitum intake WSC diet (LC), or an ad libitum alfalfa pellet diet (AA). There were 4 lambs per pen, and 8 replicate pens per dietary treatment. Ewe (n = 24) and wether (n = 24) lambs were harvested on a pen basis during the periods of 7/7/2015 through 8/25/2015 when pens reached an average weight of 59.0 and 63.5 kg, respectively. Carcasses were split between the 12th and 13th rib 24 h postmortem to record carcass measurements. Minolta measurements were taken 24 h postmortem and loin chops were allowed to bloom for 20 min before color measurements were taken. Statistical analysis was conducted using PROC MIXED statement in SAS with diet and sex as fixed effects, diet and sex nested within pen as the random effect, and initial weight and final weight were used as covariates if P 0.05) were found between carcasses for conformation score, lean color and quality score, and quality grade. Minolta L*, a*, and b* values taken from the subcutaneous fat across the top of the shoulders on the carcass were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Similarly, the Minolta L* and a* values of the lean from a butterflied loin chop were not significantly different (P > 0.05). However, loin chop from wether carcasses had greater (P < 0.05) b* values compared to loin chops from ewe carcasses.ConclusionIn conclusion, lambs fed WSC had greater dressing percentages that related to greater hot carcass weights with greater measurements of carcass fat compared to lambs fed alfalfa pellets.

Influence of Growth Promoting Technologies on Animal Performance, Production Economics, Environmental Impacts and Carcass Characteristics of Beef

ObjectivesObjectives of this study were to 1) evaluate growth performance and carcass characteristics, and 2) determine environmental and economic impacts of cattle raised with different levels of growth promoting technology.Materials and MethodsAngus × Simmental crossbred steer calves (n = 120) of a single source were stratified by dam age, birth date, birth weight, and randomly assigned to 4 treatments with increasing levels of growth promoting technology: 1) no technology (NA; no antibiotics or growth promotants); 2) non-hormone treated (NHTC; NA plus therapeutic antibiotics, tylosin and monensin during finishing); 3) implant (IMPL; NHTC plus 3 implants [suckling, initial finishing, and mid-finishing]); and 4) β-agonist (IMBA; IMPL plus ractopamine-HCl for 31 d before harvest). At weaning, steers were transported to a backgrounding lot and blocked by initial feedyard body weight to 3 pen replicates per treatment resulting in a randomized complete block design. Following backgrounding, steers were finished in a GrowSafe feeding system and individual performance data (ADG, DMI, and G:F) were recorded. At harvest, hot carcass weight (HCW) and standard carcass measures were used to obtain USDA Yield Grade (YG) and Quality Grade (QG). To evaluate environmental impact of each treatment, input parameters recorded from 3 production stages (cow-calf, backgrounding, and finishing) were represented in a Life Cycle Assessment using the USDA-ARS, Integrated Farm System Model to determine greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water use, and reactive nitrogen loss. Production costs and carcass values were used to determine economic impacts of each treatment.ResultsSteers in the IMPL and IMBA treatment had heavier (P < 0.01) final calculated body weight and HCW than NA and NHTC. Steers in IMPL and IMBA had greater (P < 0.01) DMI than NA, which was greater (P < 0.01) than NHTC. Steers in the IMPL treatment had the greatest overall ADG, followed by IMBA, and NA and NHTC had the lowest ADG (2.11, 1.79, 1.54 and 1.45 kg/d respectively; P < 0.01). Gain to feed was greatest (P < 0.01) for IMPL while IMBA, NHTC, and NA were similar (P > 0.05). There were no differences among treatments for YG. Treatments with less technology (NA and NHTC) had greater (P < 0.01) marbling scores than IMPL and IMBA however, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the distribution of carcasses in each QG category. Compared to NA, IMPL reduced carbon footprint (CO2e/kg HCW) by 8%, energy use (MJ/kg HCW) by 6%, water use (kg H2O/kg HCW) by 4%, and reactive nitrogen loss (g N/kg HCW) by 8%. Compared to NA, IMBA reduced carbon footprint by 1%, energy use by 3%, and reactive nitrogen loss by 2%. The NA and NHTC treatments were similar in environmental outputs and resource utilization. Total cost of gain ($/kg) was greater (P < 0.01) for NA and NHTC than IMPL and IMBA. When branded carcass premiums were applied, NA and IMPL had a higher value than NHTC and IMBA (P < 0.01). Net return was greatest (P < 0. 01) for NA. Steers in the IMPL had a greater (P < 0.01) net return than NHTC, which was greater (P < 0.01) than IMBA.ConclusionTreatments utilizing growth promotant implants with and without β-agonist produced heavier and more environmentally sustainable carcasses. Economic data suggests carcass premiums associated with NA and NHTC may offer producers greater profitability.

Carcass characteristics of Canindé goats subjected to feed restriction

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feed restriction on the carcass characteristics of castrated Canindé goat kids. A randomized block design was used, in which 21 goat kids with a body weight (BW) of 15.9±1.0kg were allocated to three levels of feed restriction: ad libitum, 20% and 40% restriction related to the ad libitum intake. The diet consisted of 55% forage (Tifton) and 45% concentrate. All animals were slaughtered when the kids fed ad libitum reached a BW of 25kg. After slaughter, the carcasses were chilled for 24 hours and subsequently measured. Kids fed ad libitum and subjected to 20% feed restriction showed similar morphometric carcass measurements, except for the chest circumference. Goat kids fed ad libitum exhibited greater values for warm and cold carcass yields compared with those subjected to 40% feed restriction and did not differ from the kids under 20% feed restriction. Weights of the commercial cuts showed decreasing mean values according to the intensity of feed restriction. Castrated Canindé goat kids subjected to 20% feed restriction presented similar carcass yields and proportion of commercial cuts to those fed ad libitum.

Estimation of meat amount by non-linear multiple regression equations using in vivo and carcass measurements on Teleorman Black Head lambs

Estimation of meat amount by non-linear multiple regression equations using in vivo and carcass measurements on Teleorman Black Head lambs

Ionophore strategy affects growth performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers.

One hundred ninety-two steers (BW = 354 ± 23.5 kg) were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the effects of ionophore and ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) supplementation strategies on performance and carcass characteristics. Twelve pens of 4 steers were assigned to each of the following treatments: unsupplemented control (CON), laidlomycin propionate (12.1 mg/kg DM) with or without RH (LPRH and LP, respectively), and monensin sodium (36.4 mg/kg DM) with RH (MSRH). Steers were fed for 151 d, of which respective treatments received RH (Actogain; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) at a rate of 300 mg/(animal · d) for the final 32 d. Laidlomycin was removed from the LPRH treatment during this period, as no combination feeding has been approved. Upon harvest, carcass data were collected by trained personnel, and subsequent analysis of the LM was conducted to estimate tenderness using Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Prior to RH supplementation, both LP and LPRH had greater ADG ( ≤ 0.02) and G:F ( < 0.01) than CON, whereas MSRH was intermediate. During the final 32 d, MSRH improved G:F ( ≤ 0.02) compared to all other treatments and tended to increase ADG over unsupplemented controls ( = 0.05). Cattle receiving LP without RH had significantly greater BW at d 151 than CON ( = 0.02), whereas both RH treatments tended to improve final BW ( ≤ 0.09). Ionophores improved ADG ( ≤ 0.03) and G:F ( < 0.01) for the entire feeding period, and although LP-supplemented cattle had greater DMI for the final 32 d than both RH treatments ( ≤ 0.01), intakes for the 151-d trial were similar among treatments. Carcass weights were greater ( = 0.04) in cattle fed LP with no RH than CON, where cattle yielded an average of 12 kg more HCW. Ractopamine increased LM area in MSRH-supplemented cattle ( = 0.03) and tended to increase LM area for steers receiving LPRH ( = 0.07). Longissimus steaks of MSRH-supplemented cattle had greater WBSF values than CON ( = 0.04) after 7 d of postmortem aging and greater WBSF values than LPRH steaks after 28 d ( = 0.03). All other carcass and WBSF measurements were similar among treatments. The results of this study indicate that LP supplementation without RH may yield a performance similar to and carcass responses associated with the administration of a β-agonist. These results also suggest that performance and carcass characteristics for cattle fed LP are similar to those of cattle fed monensin throughout the feeding period.

106 Effect of Sire Breed on Gain, Carcass Characteristics and Parasite Resistance of Katahdin Crossbred Feedlot-Finished Lambs: Year 2

Improvement of carcass merit while maintaining parasite resistance is critical to retain profitability in Katahdin sheep. In year 2 of this study different Katahdin (KT), Suffolk and Texel (TX) sires were used to mate Katahdin ewes. Lambs were born and raised in confinement until weaning, then shipped to the West Virginia University Animal Science Farm. Lambs were transitioned onto a complete pellet (16% CP) and were fed ad lib throughout the study. After transition all lambs (n = 7 KT, 13 SU, 11 TX) were infected with 10,000 Haemonchus contortus larvae and weight, blood and fecal samples were collected weekly for the duration. After 5 wk all lambs were treated with levamisole (8mg/kg) and lambs were challenge infected 3 wk later with 10,000 H. contortus larvae. Ultrasonic determination of REA and fat depth occurred 1 wk prior to the end of the 77 d study. Upon study completion 5 lambs from each sire group were randomly selected for carcass analysis at the Virginia Tech Meats Laboratory. Analysis of parasitological data indicated no effect of sire during the primary infection however sire effects were observed during challenge infection as SU-sired lambs had a greater fecal egg count (FEC) (269 eggs/g) compared to KT-sired lambs (116 eggs/g; P = 0.04) whereas FEC of TX-sired lambs was not different from either sire group (170 eggs/g) P > 0.05. Upon slaughter no differences in worm burden of representative sire groups were observed. No significant differences were found in growth data between the sire groups, however, SU-sired lambs tended to have higher ADG (0.34 kg/d) vs. KT (0.25 kg/d; P = 0.051) but no advantage compared to TX-sired lambs (0.28 kg/d). Analysis of REA using ultrasound and direct carcass measurements revealed no sire effect (SU 15.19 cm2; TX 14.91 cm2, KT 12.71 cm2; P > 0.05). Leg score favored SU (11.6) and TX (11.2) lambs vs. KT-sired lambs (10.4) P < 0.05. A consistent trend can be observed across years, however there is a significant amount of sire variation which has the potential to impact performance of Katahdin crossbred lambs. These data indicate a need to further evaluate variation within the Texel breed to better identify superior rams.

Supplementation of beef cattle grazing Brachiariabrizantha during the dry and rainy seasons: performance and carcass ultrasound prediction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of genetic group, sex and level of protein-energy supplementation on the performance and carcass traitsultrasound prediction of weaned calves Nellore and crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus. A completely randomized design in a factorial 2x2x2, were used, with two levels of protein-energy supplementation, two sex and two genetic groups. Fifty-six animals were used (28 Nellore and 28 crossbred ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus), equally divided between males and females, maintained on grazing Brachiariabrizanthacv. Marandu and evaluated in three experimental periods: period 1 = protein-energy supplementation in the dry season; period 2 = protein-energy supplementation during the rainy season; period 3 = only mineral supplementation. In the dry season, they were supplemented with levels of 0.5 and 1% of body weight (BW) and in the rainy season with 0 and 1% BW. Dry matter intake (kg day-1, % BW, g kgBW0.75-1) was estimated. In vivo ultrasound measurements of carcass were: loin eye area (LEA), fat thickness (FT) and rump fat thickness (RFT). There was influence of genetic group and protein-energy supplementation levels on average daily gain (ADG) of animals in period 1 and 2 (P &lt; 0.05). Sex affected the ADG only in period 2, and the males had 754 gday-1 and females, 582 g day-1. There was no interaction of genetic group x sex x supplementation level. At the end of the experimental period (end of period 3), it was found that male animals and crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus had higher ADG (716 and 748 g day-1, respectively). The values of dry matter intake (DMI) were influenced by genetic group and sex, in all periods, verifying highest intake in crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus, with better feed conversion for crossbred animals. Regarding ultrasound measurements taken on the carcass, the influence of sex on FT and RFT, it was observed, and the males showed higher values, 3.24 and 4.62 mm, respectively. LEA was influenced by protein-energy supplementation levels in the second period, herein animals receiving 1% of BW, showed higher values (56.04 cm2) than those receiving 0.5% of BW supplement (48.38 cm2). The use of protein-energy supplementation with 0.5% of BW in the dry season and 1% of BW in the rainy season, the best results of performance and contributes to larger loin eye area.

The influence of vaccination interval on growth, carcass traits and testicle parameters of immunocastrated ram lambs

This study determined the effect of different immunocastration vaccine administration intervals on growth, carcass traits and testis development of ram lambs. The trial consisted of four treatment groups of 10 Dohne Merino rams per group. The trial was initiated when the rams were 5.5 months of age, with the control treatment being represented by intact (R) ram lambs. The treatments consisted of two (IC2), three (IC3) and four (IC4) week intervals between the primary and secondary vaccine administration and the total duration of the trial was 9 weeks. Slaughter age was fixed at 4 weeks post second vaccination for all treatment groups. Live body weight, scrotal circumference and temperature as well as injection reaction score and temperature were recorded weekly. At slaughter, the carcass and individual offal items were weighed, and shoulder circumference, neck circumference and subcutaneous backfat thickness measured 24h post-mortem. Vaccination interval was found to influence the average daily gain (ADG) between first and second vaccination; with this difference not observed when ADG was considered for the overall trial period. Vaccination schedule did not influence slaughter weight, carcass weight, subcutaneous backfat thickness, and linear carcass measurements. It was found that vaccination schedule had an effect on the percentage contribution of the gastrointestinal tract to total carcass weight, indicating a possible effect on gut fill. Differences in scrotal circumference between the immunocastrated groups and R were evident from week 4. From week 5, the scrotal circumferences of rams from the IC3 and IC2 treatment groups were smaller when compared to the control group, and remained smaller until the end of the trial. The immunocastration protocols followed in the study thus were successful in inhibiting testis growth and potentially function, without impacting negatively on the overall growth performance and slaughter performance of the ram lambs.

Studying some of quality characteristic of local and hybrid turkey meat and Comparative the effect of genotype ,Sex and Age on it

This study was conducted in the Station of Poultry Researches \ Department of Animal Research \ Ministry of Agriculture ,to investigate the effect of genotype ,sex and age on some carcass measurements of local and hybrid turkey meat. Twenty four birds of turkey were slaughter from research flock(240 birds), ( 12 ) birds of local turkey males &amp; females and ( 12 ) birds of hybrid turkey( males &amp; females) in ages ( 43, 30 ) weeks . results showed as following :There were significant differences ( P &gt;0.05 )increased in thigh, breast, wing ,back and neck for turkey local and hybrid male at 43 week of age compared with female, while there is no significantly differences were found in the same cuts of all treatments , Physical dissection ( lean, bone and skin) were showed a significant ( P &gt;0.05 ) increased for local and hybrid turkey male at 43 week of age comparative with female, while there are a significant ( P &gt;0.05 ) decreased in physical dissection ( lean, bone and skin) for turkey local male (30 week) there are no significantly differences between another treatments . Giblet weight for hybrid female(43 weeks) decreased ( P &gt;0.05 ) compared with other treatments , and a significant ( P &gt;0.05 ) increased in female local of abdominal fat at 43 week ,while the treatments of hybrid male in 30 week age have a decrease( P &gt;0.05 ) on it. No significant differences between treatment for pH

0827 Carcass quality of guinea pigs: Age effects on weights, yields, and linear carcass measurements

0827 Carcass quality of guinea pigs: Age effects on weights, yields, and linear carcass measurements

EFFECT OF USING FULL-FAT SOY-BEAN IN BROILER DIETS ON PERFORMANCE, CARCASS PARTS, MEAT COMPOSITION, BONE TRAITS AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of adding full-fat soy-bean (FFSB) as a replacement of vegetable oil in isonitrogenous broiler diets on growth performance, carcass parts, meat composition, bone traits and economic efficiency. Four levels of FFSB representing 2 and 4 % (T2), 4 and 6 % (T3), 8 and 10 % (T4) and 10 and 12 % (T5) were used to replace soy-bean oil 2 and 4 % (control, T1) during the starting and growing periods, respectively. A total number of 150 one-day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were divided equally into five groups. Each group comprised 30 birds in 3 replicates (10 chicks/ replicate). At the end of the experiment, 3 birds from each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered for carcass, meat and tibia measurements. The results revealed no significant differences were observed among all five dietary treatments in body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and growth rate during the period from 0 to 5 weeks of age. Since, chicks fed (T3)or (T5) diets revealed best significant results in protein and energy conversion ratios during the period of 0 to 3 weeks of age compared with other dietary treatments. Concerning carcass and chemical composition of drum-stick meat, it is worth to note that chicks that fed (T3)or (T5) diets presented highest breast, and lowest thigh percentages compared with those fed other dietary treatments. While, highest crude protein and ash percentages with lowest crude fat percentages drum-stick meat, were recorded for chicks fed (T5) diet compared with other dietary treatments. Regarding tibia traits and composition, it was noted that chicks fed (T5) diet presented lowest figures (tibia length, breaking strength, dry weight, calcium % and phosphorus %) compared with those fed control (T1) diet. Economic evaluation showed that FFSB was economically efficient when included at levels of 8 and 10 % in starter and grower diets, respectively without any adverse effect on growth performance or carcass and tibia traits of broiler chicks until 5 weeks of age.

The Relationship between carcass lean meat percentage and MRI data obtained on hams of entire boars

The study on the relationship between lean meat percentage (LMP) and ham measures assessed by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 20 carcasses of entire boars from one performance testing station in Germany. In addition, linear carcass measurements were taken, according to the standard protocol for stationary performance testing, to be used to estimate LMP by the Bonner Formula. Finally, manual dissection was serving as reference, for LMP. The correlations between the true LMP and linear measurements Bonner Formula were medium strong, but not in all cases statistically significant. On the other hand, the correlations between ham data obtained by MRI and reference LMP had stronger and significant correlations. Three new formulas were constructed in order to evaluate the LMP of entire boars. The best prediction ability was found when combining linear measurements with one MRI measure – the widest circumference of the ham (R2 = 0.67 and RMSEP = 1.395). Interestingly, the proposed equation has variables that can be easily taken; three of them are taken regularly for Bonner Formula estimation and MRI based ham circumference aided to improve the prediction accuracy, a measure that could also be acquired by the simple use of meter or rope.

Effects of dietary sesame oil on growth performance and fatty acid composition of muscle and tail fat in fattening Chaal lambs

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of sesame oil (SO) supplementation on performance and fatty acid composition of meat and tail fat in Iranian Chaal lambs. Eighteen lambs were fed one of the three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets containing 0 (control), 25 and 50g SO per kilogram diet in a completely randomized design for 84 days. There were no substantial effects on animal performance and their carcass and non-carcass measurements, except for kidney fat weight which linearly increased (P=0.05) by increasing level of SO. Supplementation of SO was resulted a decrease in the molar ratio of ruminal propionate (P=0.01), whereas the ruminal acetate:propionate ratio (P=0.03), serum total cholesterol (P=0.01) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were increased linearly (P<0.01). The inclusion of SO up to 50g/kg in diet linearly decreased concentrations of C15:0 (P=0.02, P<0.01), C16:0 (P=0.04, P=0.05), C16:1 (P=0.02, P=0.02), C17:0 (P=0.03, P<0.01) and C17:1 (P=0.02, P<0.01), and increased concentrations of C18:1 trans (P<0.01) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 (P≤0.01) in both intramuscular and tail fat. Increasing level of SO in the diets had quadratic (P=0.05) effect on C18:0 and linearly increased (P=0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and decreased saturated fatty acids (SFA) (P=0.03) as well as atherogenicity index (P=0.05) in tail fat. Our results indicated that increasing level of SO up to 50g per kg diet may improves tail fat and intramuscular CLA cis-9, trans-11 in young fattening Chaal lambs without affecting animal performance and with little effect on fat deposition.

Effect of Feeding Regimen on Relationship between Carcass Measurements, Slaughter Weight and Hot Carcass Weight of Sudanese Desert Goats

The study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding diets, on growth performance and relationship between carcass measurements, slaughter weight and hot carcass weight, of 72 intact male desert bucks divided randomly into three groups; each group (24 males), the animals were slaughtered according to halal standard procedures. The results obtained indicated that correlation coefficients between slaughters weight and carcass measurements were significantly higher (P &lt;0.01) and positive. In free grazing group correlation coefficients between hot carcass weight and carcass measurements were significantly (P &lt;0.01) and positive. Also the relationship between slaughters weight and carcass measurements was significant and positive except internal chest length. In the group that grazing and supplemented with diets showed positive and significantly (P &lt;0.01) correlation coefficients between hot carcass weight and carcass measurements and between slaughters weight and carcass measurements were significant and positive except carcass length. The zero grazing groups obtained non not significant correlation coefficients between hot carcass weight and carcass measurements except slaughter weight and external chest length.

Effects of yeast combined with chromium propionate on growth performance and carcass quality of finishing steers.

A combination of yeast and chromium propionate (Y+Cr) was added to the diets of crossbred finishing steers ( = 504; 402 kg ± 5.76 initial BW) to evaluate impact on feedlot performance and carcass traits. We hypothesized supplementation of Y+Cr would increase growth of feedlot steers. Steers with initial plasma glucose concentrations ≤6.0 m were stratified by initial BW and randomly allocated, within strata, to receive 0 (control) or 3.3 g/d Y+Cr. Steers were further divided into heavy and light weight blocks with 6 pens/diet within each weight block. Cattle were housed in dirt-surfaced pens with 21 steers/pen and had ad libitum access to feed. Body weights were measured at 21-d intervals. Blood samples were collected on d 49 and 94 from a subset of steers (5/pen) for analyses of plasma glucose and lactate concentrations. At the end of the finishing phase, animals were weighed and transported 450 km to an abattoir in Holcomb, KS. Severity of liver abscesses and HCW were collected the day of harvest, and after 36 h of refrigeration, USDA yield and quality grades, LM area, and 12th rib subcutaneous fat thickness were determined. There were no treatment × time × weight block interactions ( > 0.05) and no treatment × block interaction for ADG, DMI, or final BW ( ≥ 0.06), but a treatment × block interaction ( = 0.03) was observed for G:F, in which control, light cattle had poorer efficiency compared with other groups. Treatment × weight group interactions were observed for overall yield grade and carcasses that graded yield grade 1 ( ≤ 0.04). Light steers supplemented with Y+Cr had decreased overall yield grade and increased percentage of carcasses grading yield grade 1 compared with their control counterparts, with no differences observed for heavy steers. Regardless of weight group, a greater percentage of carcasses from steers supplemented with Y+Cr graded yield grade 2 ( = 0.03) and fewer carcasses from steers supplemented Y+Cr graded yield grade 3 ( < 0.01) than control steers. No interactions or effects of treatment were detected for other carcass measurements ( ≥ 0.07). There were no treatment × weight group interactions or effects of treatment for plasma glucose or lactate concentrations on d 49 or 94 ( > 0.10). Overall, yeast in combination with chromium propionate may improve feed efficiency and decrease yield grade of light cattle but had no effect on remaining carcass traits and blood constituents.

Effect of chestnuts level in the formulation of the commercial feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality of Celta pig breed

The effect of including chestnuts in the formulation of the feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality from 24 castrated males Celta pigs was studied. The inclusion of 15% of chestnut (CH15) improved (p&lt;0.01) the carcass (118 vs. about 104 kg) and live weights (149 vs. 133-139 kg). Killing out percentage was also better for chestnuts groups than for control group. With regards the morphometric parameters, there were no statistically significant (p&gt;0.05) differences except for the carcass length and ham length, for which the CH15 group proved to be the group with the longest sizes. The diet did not affect the physicochemical properties (colour parameters, water holding capacity and shear force) of longissimus dorsi muscle. The composition of some fatty acids of the longissimus dorsi muscle was affected by diet. The total saturated (35-38%) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (8-10%) did not present differences. However, the increase of chestnut in the diet increased (p&lt;0.05) the monounsaturated fatty acids in intramuscular fat (57% in CH25 vs. 53% in control and CH15). Within monounsaturated fatty acids, the C18:1n9 was the most influenced by the diet. The expression of the enzyme that synthesizes C18:1n9 depend on the composition of the diet. Therefore, the lower content of protein and the higher amounts of C18:1n9 and C18:2n6 in the chestnut could be explaining the greater content of C18:1n9 in muscle of chestnut-fed animals. The main conclusion is that including chestnuts in the diet would allow reduce production costs with no effect or even improving carcass measurements and meat quality.

Extensive Literature Search on the ‘Effects of Copper intake levels in the gut microbiota profile of target animals, in particular piglets’

Extensive Literature Search on the ‘Effects of Copper intake levels in the gut microbiota profile of target animals, in particular piglets’

Genetic Parameter Estimates of Carcass Traits under National Scale Breeding Scheme for Beef Cattle.

Carcass and price traits of 72,969 Hanwoo cows, bulls and steers aged 16 to 80 months at slaughter collected from 2002 to 2013 at 75 beef packing plants in Korea were analyzed to determine heritability, correlation and breeding value using the Multi-Trait restricted maximum likelihood (REML) animal model procedure. The traits included carcass measurements, scores and grades at 24 h postmortem and bid prices at auction. Relatively high heritability was found for maturity (0.41±0.031), while moderate heritability estimates were obtained for backfat thickness (0.20±0.018), longissimus muscle (LM) area (0.23±0.020), carcass weight (0.28±0.019), yield index (0.20±0.018), yield grade (0.16±0.017), marbling (0.28±0.021), texture (0.14±0.016), quality grade (0.26±0.016) and price/kg (0.24±0.025). Relatively low heritability estimates were observed for meat color (0.06±0.013) and fat color (0.06±0.012). Heritability estimates for most traits were lower than those in the literature. Genetic correlations of carcass measurements with characteristic scores or quality grade of carcass ranged from −0.27 to +0.21. Genetic correlations of yield grade with backfat thickness, LM area and carcass weight were 0.91, −0.43, and −0.09, respectively. Genetic correlations of quality grade with scores of marbling, meat color, fat color and texture were −0.99, 0.48, 0.47, and 0.98, respectively. Genetic correlations of price/kg with LM area, carcass weight, marbling, meat color, texture and maturity were 0.57, 0.64, 0.76, −0.41, −0.79, and −0.42, respectively. Genetic correlations of carcass price with LM area, carcass weight, marbling and texture were 0.61, 0.57, 0.64, and −0.73, respectively, with standard errors ranging from ±0.047 to ±0.058. The mean carcass weight breeding values increased by more than 8 kg, whereas the mean marbling scores decreased by approximately 0.2 from 2000 through 2009. Overall, the results suggest that genetic improvement of productivity and carcass quality could be obtained under the national scale breeding scheme of Korea for Hanwoo and that continuous efforts to improve the breeding scheme should be made to increase genetic progress.

Body Measurements and Their Correlation Between, Slaughter Weight and Hot Carcass Weight of Sudanese Desert Goats as Affect by Feeding Regimen and Castration

The experiment was conducted on desert male goats to evaluate the effect feeding regimen and castration on body measurements and their relationship between carcass measurements, slaughter weight and hot carcass weight. Seventy two (72) male desert goats aged 4-5 months and weighing 12.1 Kg (11.7-12.4 Kg) were used in these experiments. Goats were divided randomly into three groups; each group (24 males) was divided into two sub groups (12 males) in Factorial experimental randomized design. The results revealed that nutrition had significant (p<0.01) effect on all body measurements (body length, belly girth, heart girth, height at wither, width of hips and height at rump), on the other hand castration and interaction of (feeding regimen and castration) had significant (p<0.01) effect on total change in body length and total change in height at wither. Correlation coefficients between slaughter weight and body measurements were significant in all feeding regime except heart girth and belly girth in grazing with supplementation and zero grazing goats respectively were significant. All correlation coefficients between hot carcass weight and body measurements were significant in all feeding regime except the wither height in free grazing goats and wither height and rump height in zero grazing goats were significant. DOI: 10.20448/journal.504/2016.3.2/504.2.30.33