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Published on: June 15, 2016
Performance and meat quality of beef steers fed corn-based or bread by-product-based diets
P J Guiroy1, D G Fox, D H Beermann
1Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. pjg13@cornell.edu
Journal of Animal Science
|April 14, 2000
Summary
Substituting bread by-product for corn improved feed efficiency in beef steers by 8.1%. No significant differences were observed in performance, carcass traits, or meat quality between the diets.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Ruminant Nutrition
- Food Science
Background:
- Dietary strategies are crucial for optimizing beef cattle performance and meat quality.
- Bread by-product (BBy) presents a potential alternative feed ingredient for ruminants.
- Understanding the nutritional value and digestive characteristics of BBy is essential for its effective utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of substituting whole shelled corn with bread by-product (BBy) in beef steer diets.
- To assess the impact on animal performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.
- To provide data for accurate diet evaluations using the Beef NRC Model.
Main Methods:
- A feeding trial involving 120 beef steers was conducted.
- Diets were formulated with BBy substituting a portion of whole shelled corn.
- Chemical analysis, in vitro gas production for digestion rates, and carcass/meat quality assessments were performed.
Main Results:
- Replacing 75% of corn with 55% BBy in the diet significantly improved feed efficiency by 8.1%.
- No statistically significant differences were found in average daily gain (ADG), carcass traits, Warner-Bratzler shear force, or sensory palatability.
- Adjusted starch digestibility in the NRC model accurately predicted observed ADG.
Conclusions:
- Bread by-product can be effectively utilized as a significant portion of the diet for beef steers.
- Substitution of corn with BBy enhances feed efficiency without compromising meat quality or carcass characteristics.
- BBy offers a viable alternative feedstuff for sustainable beef production.
