J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1987. 65:1381-1391.
© 1987 American Society of Animal Science
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Performance, Body Composition and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers as Influenced by Previous Forage Systems1

D. L. Hancock2, J. E. Williams3, H. B. Hedrick4, E. E. Beaver3, D. K. Larrick5, M. R. Ellersieck4, G. B. Garner3, R. E. Morrow3, J. A. Paterson3 and J. R. Gerrish6

University of Missouri, Columbia 65211

Abstract

To evaluate effects of previous forage systems on feedlot performance, yearling Hereford steers (average initial weight of 249 kg) were grazed on tall fescue (TF), smooth bromegrass-red clover (BG-RC) or orchardgrass-red clover (OG-RC) pastures before finishing. Serial slaughter was utilized during the first 2 yr of this study to determine changes in carcass characteristics throughout finishing, while steers were slaughtered at approximately 29% body fat during the third year. Steers grazing TF entered the feedlot at lighter weights and maintained lighter weights throughout finishing (P<.05) even though dry matter intakes and feed conversions were similar (P>.05) among treatments. Steers that previously grazed TF had less (P<.05) body fat, body protein, fat thickness and marbling, smaller (P<.05) ribeye areas and lower (P<.05) USDA yield and quality grades than those that grazed BG-RC and OG-RC. However, linear contrasts indicated that steers grazing TF were compensating in ribeye area, marbling and quality grade as days in feedlot increased. This was confirmed in the third-year study, since carcass characteristics were similar among all steers. During the third year, linear and quadratic contrasts indicated that steers that grazed TF partially compensated in body protein. As days in feedlot increased, live and hot carcass weights, body fat, fat thickness, kidney, pelvic and heart fat, marbling, and USDA yield and quality grades increased (P<.05), while ribeye area and body protein plateaued. Although carcass characteristics were similar among treatments, steers backgrounded on TF entered the feedlot at lighter weights, and partially compensated in weight after 134 d of finishing.

Footnotes

1 Journal article 10183 of the Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta.

2 Dept. of Anim. Sci., Texas Tech. Univ., Box 4169, Lubbock 79409.

3 Dept. of Anim. Sci., Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia 65211.

4 Dept. Food Sci. Nutr., Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia 65211.

5 Dept. Food Sci., North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh 27695-7624.

6 Rt 3, Brookfield, Missouri 64653.






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Copyright © 1987 by the American Society of Animal Science.