Journal of Animal Science, Vol 71, Issue 12 3199-3205, Copyright © 1993 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Carcass and meat sensory traits of steers finished on fescue and clover, summer forage, or for different periods in drylot

S. L. Schaake, G. C. Skelley, E. Halpin, L. W. Grimes, R. B. Brown, D. L. Cross and C. E. Thompson
Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department, Clemson University, SC 29634-0361.

During a 3-yr period 184 steers were allotted to five treatment groups. Group 1 steers were pastured on fescue-clover and slaughtered in the spring at approximately 540 d of age. Group 2 steers were pastured on fescue-clover then placed on summer pasture regimens and slaughtered at approximately 620 d of age. Group 3 steers were treated the same as Group 2 then placed in the drylot for 45 d. Group 4 steers were treated the same as Group 2 steers then placed in the drylot for 75 d. Group 5 steers were placed in drylot after weaning and conditioning and were slaughtered at endpoints that corresponded with those for Group 3. Steers selected for slaughter at each endpoint were those evaluated to have reached the most optimum slaughter weight and finish by project personnel. Carcasses of steers from fescue-clover and summer pasture had lower yield grades and a lower quality grade than carcasses of steers from drylot (P < .05). Carcasses of steers from fescue-clover and summer pasture had a more yellow fat covering than carcasses of steers that received a concentrate (Treatments 3, 4, and 5, P < .0001). Fescue-clover- and summer pasture-fed steers had a higher percentage of lean and a lower percentage of fat in the 9-10-11th rib section than did steers that received concentrate (P < .005). Chemical analysis of the lean tissue of the 9-10-11th rib section indicated that summer pasture-fed steers had a lower percentage of ether extract and higher percentage of moisture than the lean tissue from steers that received concentrate (P < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Faucitano, P. Y. Chouinard, J. Fortin, I. B. Mandell, C. Lafreniere, C. L. Girard, and R. Berthiaume Comparison of alternative beef production systems based on forage finishing or grain-forage diets with or without growth promotants: 2. Meat quality, fatty acid composition, and overall palatability J Anim Sci, July 1, 2008; 86(7): 1678 - 1689. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. M. Stelzleni, L. E. Patten, D. D. Johnson, C. R. Calkins, and B. L. Gwartney Benchmarking carcass characteristics and muscles from commercially identified beef and dairy cull cow carcasses for Warner-Bratzler shear force and sensory attributes J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2631 - 2638. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Rhoades, J. E. Sawyer, K. Y. Chung, M. L. Schell, D. K. Lunt, and S. B. Smith Effect of dietary energy source on in vitro substrate utilization and insulin sensitivity of muscle and adipose tissues of Angus and Wagyu steers J Anim Sci, July 1, 2007; 85(7): 1719 - 1726. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Berthiaume, I. Mandell, L. Faucitano, and C. Lafreniere Comparison of alternative beef production systems based on forage finishing or grain-forage diets with or without growth promotants: 1. Feedlot performance, carcass quality, and production costs J Anim Sci, August 1, 2006; 84(8): 2168 - 2177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Sainz and R. F. Vernazza Paganini Effects of different grazing and feeding periods on performance and carcass traits of beef steers J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(1): 292 - 297. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]