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Production, Carcass and Palatability Characteristics of Steers Produced by Different Management Systems¹

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station 77843

Abstract

One hundred Santa Gertrudis steer calves were used in a study of 10 management systems for producing beef. Growth stimulants were not used. Steers were slaughtered as calves, yearlings, long-yearlings and 2-year-olds after periods on grass alone, grain on grass, or in dry-lot Steers fed grain reached slaughter weight and grade 100 to 230 days sooner, were higher in USOA quality grade, dressed higher and yielded lower percentages of primal cuts than steers finished on forage management systems. Steers grown on grass and then fed concentrates for 98 days before slaughter produced much more protein than did steers grain-fed 125 or 255 days after weaning, or steers which were grazed or fed grain on grass as either long-yearlings or 2-year-olds. The best management system to conserve grain and yet produce an adequate supply of high quality beef would incorporate maximum growth and frame development on forages followed by short-term (100 to 120 days) drylot feeding. Management practices of this nature would allow maximum protein production and greater assurance of acceptable palatability with only small losses in cutability. Steers from grass or grain on grass were approximately 6 months older if slaughtered at comparable weight and grade than those fed in drylot after grazing and were lower and more variable in palatability.

¹ Technical Article 13024 from the Department of Animal Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University. This research was supported in part by Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, Kingsville, TX.

² Present address: University of Florida, Gainesville.

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