Feedlot Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Palatability of Steers Fed Concentrate for Short Periods

Abstract

Animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat palatability of steers fed a concentrate diet for short periods were evaluated. Forty steers (424 kg) from a forage study were assigned to four groups and three of the groups were switched to an 85% concentrate diet during a 5-day interval and then fed this diet ad libitum for 3, 6 or 9 weeks. Average number of days the steers were on experiment, including the dietary adjustment period, was 51.0, 27.5,48.0 and 68.5 for treatments of 0, 3, 6 and 9 weeks of concentrate, respectively. Daily live weight gain was not different (P>.05) among treatments; however, the experimental periods were relatively short. Dressing percentage increased as the period of feeding concentrate increased. Calculated daily carcass gain was higher for steers fed concentrate than for those fed hay (.67 vs .36 kg, P<.05). Length of the period that concentrate was fed did not affect lean color or texture but did increase (P<.05) the amount of marbling in the longissimus muscle at the 12th rib. Differences in marbling were reflected by differences in USDA quality grade. Length of the period that concentrate was fed had little influence on cooking properties of the meat or palatability as judged by a trained taste panel. Extractable lipid from the longissimus muscle increased, the relative percentage of stearic acid decreased and that of oleic acid increased as the period of feeding concentrate increased.