T.B. Schmidt

Use of cluster analysis and preference mapping to evaluate consumer acceptability of choice and select bovine M. longissimus lumborum steaks cooked to various end-point temperatures.

Consumer research was conducted to evaluate the acceptability of choice and select steaks from the Longissimus lumborum that were cooked to varying degrees of doneness using demographic information, cluster analysis and descriptive analysis. On average, using data from approximately 155 panelists, no differences (P>0.05) existed in consumer acceptability among select and choice steaks, and all treatment means ranged between like slightly and like moderately (6-7) on the hedonic scale. Individual consumers were highly variable in their perception of acceptability and consumers were grouped into clusters (eight for select and seven for choice) based on their preference and liking of steaks. The largest consumer groups liked steaks from all treatments, but other groups preferred (P<0.05) steaks that were cooked to various end-point temperatures. Results revealed that consumers could be grouped together according to preference, liking and descriptive sensory attributes, (juiciness, tenderness, bloody, metallic, and roasted) to further understand consumer perception of steaks that were cooked to different end-point temperatures.

Broiler stunning methods and their effects on welfare, rigor mortis, and meat quality

Broiler stunning is conducted to produce a rapid onset of insensibility prior to slaughter. Though most broiler plants use electrical stunning applications, gas stunning, and low-atmosphere pressure stunning are also available for commercial applications. All three of these stunning methods are able to meet animal welfare requirements and produce meat with acceptable quality. However, each method differs in their mechanisms of stunning, rigor mortis patterns, and physical meat characteristics. In addition, gas stunning and low-atmosphere pressure stunning have received interest over the past decade as part of an effort to further improve animal welfare. Researchers have reported that gas and low-atmosphere pressure stunning both have potential advantages over electrical stunning with respect to broiler welfare and deboning time, which has been attributed to shackling post-stunning. This review paper will focus on these three stunning methods and their impact on animal welfare, physiology, rigor mortis patterns, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.

The 2000 National Beef Quality Audits: Views of Producers, Packers, and Merchandisers on Current Quality Characteristics of Beef1

In 1991 and 1995, National Beef Quality Audits (NBQA) benchmarked beef industry quality challenges. Face-to-face interviews identified hide defects and lack of live cattle uniformity as leading quality challenges for packers and excess external fat and lack of uniformity/ consistency as leading quality challenges for merchandisers (purveyors, retailers, and restaurateurs). For NBQA-2000, surveys replaced interviews to solicit producers and to increase packer and merchandiser opinions. Seedstock generators and cow-calf producers (n = 2,308) most frequently (P < 0.05) cited improved genetics using expected progeny differences, changed injection site location, and improved genetics using physical characterization as management adjustments made since 1991. Stocker/ backgrounders and feedlot operators (n = 740) most frequently (P < 0.05) made adjustments in injection site location, handling, and genetic types of cattle. Seedstock generators and cow-calf producers indicated that previous audits had a “strong” (18.7%) or “moderate” (57.6%) impact on management changes made since 1991 compared with 15.3% or 62.7%, respectively, for stocker/ backgrounders and feedlot operators. Packers (n = 29) and merchandisers (n = 113) indicated that past audits had a “strong” (6.9% and 9.5%, respectively) or “moderate” (55.2% and 71.8%, respectively) impact on quality/consistency improvements of cattle, carcasses, and cuts. Responses from production sectors revealed lack of live cattle uniformity, inadequate tenderness, and insufficient marbling to be the greatest (P < 0.05) quality challenges currently facing the beef industry. Merchandisers revealed insufficient marbling, lack of cut uniformity, and inadequate tenderness to be the greatest (P < 0.05) quality challenges. Results will aide in development and implementation of beef quality assurance principles and will provide added stimulus for producers to improve beef quality and consumer satisfaction.

Effects of Dry Matter Intake Restriction on Growth Performance and Carcass Merit of Finishing Steers1

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of restricting DMI on growth performance and carcass merit of finishing steers. In Trial 1, 84 Angus cross steers (BW = 313 ± 7 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment diets that were designed to achieve a 1.6 kg/d ADG at three intake levels: ad libitum, 90% of ad libitum DMI (LF90), or 80% of ad libitum DMI (LF80). In Trial 2, 84 Angus cross steers (BW = 327 ± 20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment diets that were designed to achieve an ADG of 1.6 kg/d at two intake levels: ad libitum or LF80. All diets delivered similar total NE, metabolizable protein, and P per day. Daily feed delivery (0800 h) for each treatment was determined based on a rolling 5-d average of DMI by steers fed ad libitum. No steers were treated for digestive disorders in either trial, and liver abscess scores

The influence of creatine and a high glycemic carbohydrate on the growth performance and meat quality of market hogs fed ractopamine hydrochloride

Crossbred barrows (n=128; 85±0.91kg) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments. A pelleted corn-soybean diet containing 5ppm Paylean(®) (PAY) was tested against a negative control (NCON) diet formulated to meet or exceed the National Research Councils requirements for the growing pig, a pelleted corn-soybean diet containing 0.92% creatine and 2.75% dextrose (COMBO), and a pelleted corn-soybean diet containing a combination of 5ppm Paylean(®), 0.92% creatine, and 2.75% dextrose (PAYPLUS). No treatment differences were noted when comparing ADG (P=0.66) and hot carcass weight (P=0.75). Over the 27d test, barrows fed PAY and PAYPLUS produced loins with a larger (P<0.01) loin muscle area (LMA) than those fed NCON or COMBO diets. Barrows fed the NCON diet were fatter at the 10th-rib (P<0.01) than those animals fed the remaining dietary treatments. Dietary treatment did not affect the ultimate pH (P=0.87), Japanese color score (P=0.25) or Minolta L(∗) (P=0.61) and b(∗) (P=0.56) values of the loin. Loin chops from NCON, COMBO and PAYPLUS tended (P=0.07) to contain a higher intramuscular fat content than those from barrows fed PAY. Additionally, loin chops from the NCON and COMBO fed animals were more red (higher a(∗)-value) than those chops coming from animals fed the PAY diet (P<0.01).

Impact of price and thickness on consumer selection of ribeye, sirloin, and top loin steaks

Consumers (n=316) were recruited from college football picnickers to select ribeye, sirloin, and top loin steaks from 3 price groups based on thickness (n=10 steaks per price/type combination). Constant weight steaks were assigned to these groups: P1, thinnest,

The influence of dietary protein on market barrows and gilts supplemented creatine monohydrate in conjunction with a high glycemic carbohydrate

19.80/kg ribeye and top loin,

Effects of Starch, Fiber, or Protein Supplementation on Intake and Digestion of Low-Quality Tall Fescue Hay by Growing Dairy Heifers

10.99/kg sirloin; P2, average thickness,

Development of a self-contained, indwelling vaginal temperature probe for use in cattle research

22.00/kg ribeye and top loin,

The effects of low atmosphere stunning and deboning time on broiler breast meat quality.

13.19/kg sirloin; P3, thickest,