Niche-Targeted vs Conventional Finishing Programs for Beef Steers

Abstract

Because of widespread interest in niche-marketing programs for finished beef cattle, 64 crossbred steers were used to evaluate implant (IMP) protocols and(or) antimicrobial feed additive (FA) combinations simulating restrictions encountered in niche programs on production and monetary returns. Steers were blocked by BW and assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with IMP (d-0 + d-63) vs no IMP (NoIMP) and FA (33 mg/kg monensin + 11 mg/kg tylosin) vs no additives (NoFA) as factors. Pen (8 steers per pen) was the experimental unit. Steers were fed 90% concentrate diets and marketed on a formula basis. No IMP × FA interactions were observed. Feed additives numerically improved production measures. Implants increased ADG (1.83 vs 1.51 kg/d; P<0.01), feed efficiency (0.195 vs 0.181; P=0.06), and DMI (9.42 vs 8.38 kg/d; P<0.01). Feed additives tended to increase marbling (5.04 vs 4.73; P=0.12) and fat thickness (1.43 vs 1.30 cm; P=0.11). Implants increased carcass weight (363.0 vs 328.2 kg; P<0.01) and longissimus area (LA) (86.1 vs 78.7 cm2; P<0.01) but reduced marbling (4.57 vs 5.20; P=0.02). Implants reduced unit carcass price ($2.507 vs $2.527/kg; P=0.10) but increased gross returns ($908.90 vs $828.53; P<0.01). Cattle targeted for niche markets requiring abandonment of antimicrobials and(or) growth promotants may have similar or lower production costs when fed for a common number of days, but must garner premiums above those associated with improved carcass quality to be economically competitive with conventionally finished steers.