Effects of increased inclusion of algae meal on finishing steer performance and carcass characteristics

The deoiled residue from the production of heterotrophic microalgae can be combined with soyhulls to form a novel feedstuff called algae meal (ALG). To determine the effects of replacing corn in a finishing diet with ALG on growth, mineral status, carcass characteristics, and longissimus thoracis fatty acid profile, crossbred steers (168) were blocked by BW (432 ± 30.8 kg) into pens of 6 steers (7 pens per treatment). Pens received 1 of 4 diets: a corn-based control (CON), 14% ALG, 28% ALG (ALG28), and 42% ALG (ALG42). Corn was replaced by ALG on a DM basis. Steer BW were taken on d 0, 1, 28, 56, 74, 101, and 102, and steers were harvested on d 103. Pen was the experimental unit and DMI, ADG, and G:F data were analyzed as repeated measures. Two steers per pen were selected for sampling of blood and liver (d -1 and 96) and collection of rib steaks at harvest. There was a treatment by × time effect ( = 0.10) for overall DMI, where DMI linearly increased ( ≤ 0.008) across all time periods except Day 28 through, 56 when DMI was not different between ALG28 and ALG42. There was a treatment by time effect for ADG ( < 0.01), with ADG linearly decreasing ( ≤ 0.03) in the first and third month, not differing ( = 0.95) in the second month, and linearly increasing ( < 0.01) in the fourth month as ALG increased in the diet. Final BW and HCW did not differ ( ≥ 0.50) between CON- and ALG-fed cattle. There was a treatment × time effect for G:F ( < 0.01), with G:F linearly decreasing ( ≤ 0.01) in the first 3 mo as ALG increased in the diet, whereas G:F linearly increased ( < 0.01) in the fourth month. Based on steer performance, calculated dietary NEg linearly decreased ( < 0.01) as ALG increased in the diet. Yield grade linearly decreased ( = 0.02) and there was a tendency for dressing percent and 12th-rib back fat to linearly decrease ( ≤ 0.10) as ALG increased in the diet. Plasma Cu, Fe, and Mg concentrations were not different ( ≥ 0.31) in CON vs. ALG cattle; however, plasma Zn concentrations linearly increased ( = 0.03) as ALG increased in the diet. Total lipid, SFA, MUFA, and PUFA concentrations in the longissimus thoracis did not differ ( ≥ 0.13) between CON- and ALG-fed cattle. Interestingly, the atherogenic index linearly decreased ( < 0.01) as ALG increased in the diet. Algae meal may have a lesser energy value than corn; however, a minimal effect on carcass performance suggests ALG may serve as a potential replacement for corn in feedlot diets.