R. P. Lemenager

Effects of crude glycerin on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing wether lambs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of crude glycerin on performance and carcass characteristics in finishing wether lambs. Thirty black-faced, Suffolk-cross wether lambs (44.1 +/- 5.6 kg initial BW) were stratified and blocked by BW to 1 of 5 individually fed, isocaloric, isonitrogenous dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% crude glycerin (88% pure) on a DM basis. Diets were fed once daily for ad libitum consumption and contained 15% chopped hay, approximately 25% dried distillers grains with solubles, and the specified treatment combination of cracked corn replaced with increasing amounts of crude glycerin. Wethers were weighed on 14-d intervals and were selected for slaughter when they reached an approximate 12th-rib fat depth of 0.51 cm (28 to 84 d on trial). Carcass characteristics were collected after a 48-h chill. Dry matter intake (linear, P = 0.004) and ADG (quadratic, P = 0.05) increased with increasing concentrations of glycerin in the diet during the first 14 d of the feeding period. Similarly, G:F tended to increase quadratically (P = 0.06) with increasing concentrations of crude glycerin in the diet during the first 14 d. However, there were no differences among treatments for final BW, days on feed, or cumulative DMI, cumulative ADG, and cumulative G:F (P >or= 0.11). Body wall thickness, dressing percent, HCW, LM area, flank streaking, leg score, conformation score, quality grade, yield grade, and percent boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts did not differ (P >or= 0.21). Adding up to 15% crude glycerin to finishing wether diets improved feedlot performance, particularly during the first 14 d, without any concomitant effect on carcass characteristics.

Effects of dietary fat and crude protein on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in finishing steers fed differing levels of dried distillers grains with solubles.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary protein and fat from distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in finishing steers. Angus-cross steers (n = 105; 443 +/- 20 kg of BW) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: 1) corn-based diet with DDGS included at 25% of DM (CON), 2) CON with DDGS included at twice the amount of CON (50% of DM; 50DDGS), 3) CON with added corn protein to equal the CP in the 50DDGS diet (CON+CP), 4) CON with added vegetable oil to equal the fat in the 50DDGS diet (CON+VO), and 5) CON with protein and fat added to equal the CP and fat in the 50DDGS diet (CON+CPVO). Steers were fed to a common 12th-rib fat depth endpoint (1.3 +/- 0.2 cm; 68 to 125 d on trial). Loins and rounds were collected from 44 carcasses for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), ether extract, and case-life analyses. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Contrasts between 1) CON vs. elevated CP diets (50DDGS, CON+CP, and CON+CPVO; EP), 2) CON vs. elevated fat diets (50DDGS, CON+VO, and CON+CPVO; EF) and 3) CON vs. diets with elevated CP and fat (50DDGS and CON+CPVO; EPF) were analyzed. There were no differences in days on feed or DMI among treatments. Steers fed CON had greater ADG (P <or= 0.03) than EP, EF, and EPF diets. Steers fed CON also had greater G:F (P <or= 0.04) than EP and EPF steers. Final BW was greater for CON than EP and EPF diets (P <or= 0.03). Likewise, CON steers had heavier HCW than EPF steers (P = 0.04). Dressing percent, 12th-rib fat depth, LM area, KPH, and yield grade were not affected by treatment (P >or= 0.06). Steers fed the CON diet had greater marbling scores (P <or= 0.03) and quality grades (P <or= 0.02) compared with those fed EP, EF, and EPF diets. There were no differences in WBSF, ether extract, or lipid oxidation due to treatment (P >or= 0.44). However, CON steers had greater (P = 0.02) L* values than EF-fed steers and greater b* values than EP, EF, and EPF steers (P <or= 0.02) during retail display of ground product. Data from this study illustrate that live animal performance, marbling and quality grade, and color stability of ground product during retail display are negatively affected when DDGS are increased from 25 to 50% of the diet DM. This response appears to be due to elevated dietary fat, elevated CP, and a combination of elevated fat and protein within in the diet.

Supplemental vitamin D3 and zilpaterol hydrochloride. I. Effect on performance, carcass traits, tenderness, and vitamin D metabolites of feedlot steers1

Angus × Simmental steers (n = 210; initial BW 314 ± 11 kg) were separated into heavy and light BW blocks and allotted evenly by BW to 6 treatments (3 heavy and 2 light pens per treatment) to determine the effect of supplemental vitamin D3: 0 IU (no D), 250,000 IU for 165 d (long-term D), or 5 × 10(6) IU for 10 d (short-term D) on performance, carcass traits, vitamin D metabolites, and meat tenderness in steers fed either 0 (NZ) or 8.38 mg/kg zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) daily for 21 d. Placebo or ZH was added to the diet 24 d, and short-term D was added 13 d before slaughter. Vitamin D3, ZH, and placebo were all removed from the diet 3 d before slaughter. Steers fed ZH tended to have improved overall G:F compared with steers not fed ZH (P < 0.09). Overall performance was not affected by long-term D, with or without ZH (P = 0.11) compared with no D, with or without ZH. Short-term D decreased final BW, ADG, and G:F (P = 0.04) compared with no D, when ZH was not fed. Zilpaterol hydrochloride increased HCW, dressing percentage, and LM area (P < 0.01); and decreased fat thickness, yield grade, and marbling (P < 0.03). Carcass traits were not impacted by long-term D without ZH (P > 0.13), but long-term D with ZH decreased percentage KPH (P < 0.02). Compared with no D, short-term D tended to decrease HCW (P < 0.07), decreased fat thickness (P < 0.01), and tended to increase dressing percentage (P < 0.10) when ZH was not fed, yet did not impact carcass traits when ZH was fed (P < 0.13). Feeding ZH tended to decrease (P < 0.09) LM 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. The long-term D treatment increased LM vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) 18- and 5-fold, respectively, when ZH was not fed (P < 0.04) and increased LM 25OHD3 by 4-fold when ZH was fed (P < 0.01). Short-term D increased LM vitamin D3 and 25OHD3 by 52- and 9-fold, respectively, when ZH was not fed (P < 0.01), and by 24- and 9-fold, respectively, when ZH was fed (P < 0.01). Also, short-term D increased LM 1,25(OH)2D3 by 2-fold (P < 0.04) when ZH was fed. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was greater for ZH steaks than non-ZH steaks at 7, 14, and 21 d postmortem aging (P < 0.01). Vitamin D did not reduce WBSF (P = 0.18). When ZH was fed, long-term D tended to increase WBSF in steaks aged 21 d (P = 0.06). In conclusion, ZH improved carcass leanness and decreased tenderness, and vitamin D feeding increased vitamin D3 metabolites in LM, but did not improve tenderness in steers fed ZH.

Effects of dried distillers grains with solubles and crude glycerin on performance, carcass characteristics, and metabolic parameters of early weaned beef calves12

ABSTRACT The effects of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and crude glycerin on performance, carcass, and metabolic parameters in early weaned (EW) beef calves were assessed. Fifty EW Anguscross calves (123 d of age; 170 kg of BW) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: 1) haylage-based control (NEG), 2) corn-based control (POS), 3) 30% DDGS and corn (DDGS+C), 4) 30% DDGS with 15% glycerin replacing corn (15GLY), and 5) 30% DDGS with 30% glycerin replacing corn (30GLY). Diets were fed ad libitum for 160 d. Cattle were commingled on trial d 160 and fed a corn-based finishing diet until slaughter at a common 12th-rib fat depth of 1.0 cm. Final EW phase BW and ADG (P ≤ 0.04) were greater for DDGS+C and 15GLY when compared with 30GLY. Calves fed DDGS+C reached slaughter faster (P = 0.01) when compared with NEG, 15GLY, and 30GLY; however, DDGS+C and POS resulted in lighter slaughter BW and HCW (P ≤ 0.01). Calves fed 15GLY had a greater LM area (P = 0.04) than did POS and DDGS+C, and calves fed 15GLY obtained greater QG (P = 0.05) than did DDGS+C and 30GLY. Calves fed NEG had greater circulating blood glucose and BHBA concentrations (P

Effect of calcium oxide inclusion in beef feedlot diets containing 60% dried distillers grains with solubles on ruminal fermentation, diet digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of increasing dietary CaO on ruminal fermentation, diet digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers fed 60% dried distillers grains with solubles ( DDGS: ). In Exp. 1, 120 steers were allotted by weight (355 ± 7.9 kg) to 1 of 4 treatments containing 60% DDGS, 20% corn silage, 13.5 to 14.4% ground corn, 4% supplement, and 0 to 2.5% limestone on DM basis to determine the effects of CaO on performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments consisted of 0, 0.8, 1.6, or 2.4% CaO inclusion in the diet (DM basis), with CaO replacing limestone. Steers were slaughtered at a target BW of approximately 641 kg. In Exp. 2, 4 steers (initial BW = 288 ± 3 kg) were randomly allotted to the same diets in a 4 × 4 Latin square design (14-d periods) to determine the effects of CaO on ruminal pH, VFA, and nutrient digestibility. Statistical analyses were conducted using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Inclusion of CaO at 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4% increased ADG by 5.0, 3.9, and 0%, respectively, compared to 0% CaO (quadratic; P = 0.03). Intake was linearly decreased (P = 0.04) and G:F was linearly increased (P = 0.02) by CaO inclusion. Dressing percentage increased as CaO increased from 0 to 1.6% and then decreased for 2.4% CaO (quadratic; P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, steers fed 0% CaO had the greatest prefeeding ruminal pH, steers fed 0 and 0.8% CaO exhibited the most rapid postfeeding decline in ruminal pH, and steers fed 2.4% CaO exhibited a relatively stable ruminal pH throughout the 24-h period (treatment × time; P ≤ 0.01). Acetate, butyrate, and total VFA concentrations increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) at 0, 3, 6, and 12 h postfeeding with increasing CaO. Propionate at 3 h postfeeding increased from 0 to 1.6% CaO and decreased from 1.6 to 2.4% CaO (quadratic; P = 0.10). Urine pH increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) while urine output and urine ammonia decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) as CaO inclusion increased. Apparent NDF digestibility tended to increase (P = 0.07) and ADF digestibility did (P = 0.01) increase linearly with increasing concentrations of CaO. In conclusion, CaO improved ruminal pH variation, increased fiber digestibility, and decreased metabolic acid load in cattle fed 60% DDGS-based diets. Inclusion of CaO up to 1.6% was effective in improving performance of feedlot cattle.

Supplemental vitamin D3 and zilpaterol hydrochloride. II. Effect on calcium concentration, muscle fiber type, and calpain gene expression of feedlot steers.

Two hundred and ten Angus × Simmental steers (initial BW 314 ± 11 kg) were separated into heavy and light BW blocks and allotted evenly by BW to 6 treatments (3 heavy and 2 light pens per treatment) to determine the effect of supplemental vitamin D3: 0 IU (no D), 250,000 IU for 165 d (long-term D), or 5 × 10(6) IU for 10 d (short-term D) on plasma and muscle calcium concentrations and gene expression in steers fed either 0 (NZ) or 8.38 mg/kg (ZH) zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) daily for 21 d. Placebo or ZH was added to the diet 24 d, and short-term D was added 13 d before slaughter. Treatments were removed from all diets 3 d before slaughter. Plasma total calcium (Ca(2+)) was determined at study initiation, start of ZH and short-term D feedings, and at vitamin D3 and ZH withdrawal. Both plasma total and ionic Ca(2+) were determined when animals were sent to harvest. Longissimus muscle total and ionic Ca(2+) were determined in meat aged 7 and 4 d postmortem, respectively. When ZH was fed, long-term D decreased plasma total Ca(2+) at slaughter (P < 0.04). Short-term D increased (P < 0.01) plasma total and ionic Ca(2+) at slaughter regardless of ZH inclusion in the diet. Long- and short-term D, with or without ZH, did not affect (P > 0.28) LM total Ca(2+); however, both long- and short-term D increased LM ionic Ca(2+) when ZH was not fed (P < 0.01). Long-term D reduced LM ionic Ca(2+) when ZH was fed (P < 0.02). Neither long- nor short-term D affected PPARα or δ gene expression (P = 0.19) whether or not ZH was fed. Expression of MYH1 and 2A (P < 0.05) but not 2X (P = 0.21) was decreased in steers fed ZH. Long-term D had no effect on MYH2A expression (P = 0.21). Short-term D increased MYH2A expression when ZH was not fed (P < 0.03). Calpain mRNA tended to be lower in steers fed ZH (P = 0.09), but was not affected by long- or short-term D regardless of whether or not ZH was fed (P = 0.39). Expression of calpastatin did not differ with vitamin D supplementation (P = 0.35). In conclusion, ZH decreased oxidative myosin expression, and when combined with long-term D, ZH decreased LM ionic Ca(2+). Moreover, vitamin D3 supplementation did not increase calpain mRNA. These results help explain why vitamin D3 does not improve tenderness in steers fed ZH.

Supplemental β-carotene I: Effect on plasma vitamin A, growth, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle ☆ ☆☆

To evaluate the effects of β-carotene (βC) on performance and carcass characteristics, 112 crossbred calves were allotted to 4 treatments consisting of retinyl palmitate (RP) supplemented at 2200IU/kg, and synthetic β-carotene supplemented at 1 (SβC1X), 5 (SβC5X), or 10 (SβC10X) times RP. Compared to RP, SβC1X did not impact performance (P≥0.25) or plasma concentrations of retinoids or carotenoids (P≥0.26). Increasing dietary βC increased (P≤0.04) plasma concentrations of RP and all of the isomers of βC, but did not affect weight, gain, or gain:feed (P≥0.24). Marbling and fat thickness did not differ between RP and SβC1X or because of amount of βC (P≥0.35). Lightness (L*) of LM decreased with increasing concentration of SβC (linear; P=0.01). Yellowness (b*) increased (P=0.04) and redness (a*) tended to increase (P=0.09) in subcutaneous fat as SβC amount increased (quadratic).

Effect of increasing distillers grains inclusion on performance and carcass characteristics of early-weaned steers.

Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) contain elevated concentrations of CP, oil, and S, which can negatively impact performance and carcass characteristics in steers weaned at 205 d of age. Early weaned (EW) cattle, however, consume less DM and require increased CP. Furthermore, the energy required to dispose of excess N may actually decrease excessive fat accumulation, which can occur in EW cattle. Thus, we hypothesized that feeding diets with increased concentrations of DDGS to EW steers for the first 99 d would decrease fat thickness and increase harvest weights, and would not inhibit performance or marbling deposition. To test this hypothesis, 90 Angus × Simmental steers (199.7 ± 12.2 kg) were weaned at 134 d of age (EW) and allotted to 3 high concentrate diets (20% corn silage) containing either 0%, 30%, or 60% DDGS (15.7%, 15.8% and 21.7% CP, respectively). Dietary treatments were fed for 99 d, after which steers were placed on a common diet containing no DDGS (12.9% CP) until harvest at a common weight of 599 kg. Concentration of dietary DDGS did not affect ADG, DMI, or G:F during the growing phase (P > 0.41), did not produce any carryover effects on ADG, DMI, or G:F during the finishing phase (P > 0.26), and resulted in similar overall performance (P > 0.52). Dressing percentage (P < 0.05), HCW (P = 0.06), fat thickness (P = 0.10), and % KPH (P = 0.08) responded quadratically to early DDGS supplementation, increasing from 0 to 30% DDGS inclusion and decreasing from 30 to 60% DDGS inclusion, respectively. Marbling score was not affected (P > 0.46) by DDGS inclusion, but there was a tendency (P = 0.08) for the ratio of subcutaneous (SC) to intramuscular (IM) fat to be altered by DDGS inclusion. The ratio of IM to SC fat decreased from 0 to 30% DDGS inclusion and increased from 30 to 60% DDGS inclusion. These data suggest that inclusion of increased concentrations of dietary DDGS early in the feedlot phase does not negatively impact growth and performance of EW cattle, but does partition energy from carcass to noncarcass components. However, increased concentrations of DDGS did not negatively impact IM fat deposition. Utilization of energy for disposal of excess N may be responsible for changes in carcass weight and SC fat deposition.

Effects of stepwise dry/wet-aging and freezing on meat quality of beef loins

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of stepwise dry/wet-aging and freezing method on quality attributes of beef loins. Paired loins (M. Longissimus lumborum) from eight carcasses were assigned to either stepwise dry/wet-aging (carcass dry-aging for 10days then further wet-aging for 7days in vacuum bags) or carcass dry-aging only for 17days. Then, each loin was divided into three sections for freezing (never-frozen, blast or cryogenic freezing). Stepwise dry/wet-aged loin had lower purge/drip loss and shear force than conventionally dry-aged loin (P<0.05), but similar color and sensory characteristics (P>0.05). The cryogenic freezing resulted in a significant decrease in shear force values and a significant improvement in water-holding capacity (WHC). These findings indicate that the stepwise dry/wet-aging coupled with cryogenic freezing could provide beneficial impacts to the local meat industry by providing equivalent quality attributes as conventional dry-aging and improving WHC of frozen/thawed meat, while reducing the time needed for dry-aging.

Feeding dried distillers grains with solubles to lactating beef cows: impact of excess protein and fat on cow performance, milk production and pre-weaning progeny growth.

Multiparous Angus×Simmental cows (n=54, 5.22±2.51 years) with male progeny were fed one of two diets supplemented with either dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) or soybean meal (CON), from calving until day 129 postpartum (PP) to determine effects of excess protein and fat on cow performance, milk composition and calf growth. Diets were formulated to be isocaloric and consisted of rye hay and DDGS (19.4% CP; 8.76% fat), or corn silage, rye hay and soybean meal (11.7% CP; 2.06% fat). Cow-calf pairs were allotted by cow and calf age, BW and breed. Cow BW and body condition score (BCS; P⩾0.13) were similar throughout the experiment. A weigh-suckle-weigh was performed on day 64 and day 110±10 PP to determine milk production. Milk was collected on day 68 and day 116±10 PP for analysis of milk components. Milk production was unaffected (P⩾0.75) by dietary treatments. Milk urea nitrogen was increased at both time points in DDGS compared with CON cows (P<0.01). Protein was decreased (P=0.01) and fat was increased (P=0.01) in milk from DDGS compared with CON cows on day 68 PP. Compared to CON, DDGS decreased medium chain FA (P<0.01) and increased long chain FA (P<0.01) at both time points. Saturated FA content of milk was decreased (P<0.01) at both time-points in DDGS compared with CON cows, which resulted in an increase (P<0.01) in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA, including cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid. Daily gain of the DDGS calves was increased (P=0.01) compared with CON calves, resulting in heavier BW on day 129 (P=0.01). Heavier BW of DDGS calves was maintained through weaning (P=0.01). Timed-artificial insemination (TAI) rates were greater for cows fed DDGS compared with cows fed CON (P<0.02), but dietary treatment had no effect on overall pregnancy rates (P=0.64). In summary, feeding DDGS to lactating beef cows did not change cow BW or BCS, but did improve TAI rates and altered milk composition compared with CON. As a result, male progeny from cows fed DDGS during lactation had greater average daily gain and were heavier at day 129 and at weaning compared with male progeny from cows fed a control diet.