Effect of Production Systems on Performance, Body Compostion and Lipid and Mineral Profiles of Soft Tissue in Cattle

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Abstract
During two consecutive years, yearling Brangus × Hereford × Angus steers (348 kg) were finished (10 treatment-1,yr-1) on a high grain (79% corn) diet or a forage program, which emphasized primarily winter wheat pasture with some sorghum-Sudan and Bermuda grass pasture. Slaughter was based on the grain-finished cattle reaching low choice and the forage-finished cattle attaining a high good quality grade. Steers finished on grain required 51 less d on feed and had higher (P<.01) average daily gain (ADG). Adjusted to constant hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage, fat cover, marbling score and quality grade were higher (P<.05 or P<.01) for grain-finished steers as opposed to those on the forage program. Although not significant, yield grade favored steers finished on forage. Carcass soft tissue of steers finished on forage contained a higher (P<.01) percentage of protein (18.1 vs 15.4%) and moisture (62.9 vs 51.9%), but lower percentage of fat (19.1 vs 34.1%). When expressed on a soft tissue weight basis, fat deposition accounted for more of the difference in composition between treatments than protein. On a weight basis (g/100 g of soft tissue), triglycerides were higher (P<.01) while phospholipids were lower (P<.01) in the soft tissue of grain-finished steers. Lower percentage (P<.01) of stearic acid and higher percentage (P<.01) of oleic acid accounted for more unsaturation of soft tissue fatty acids in cattle finished on grain than those finished on forage. In contrast, steers finished on forage had higher percentages of polyunsaturated linoleic and linolenic fatty acids. Cholesterol levels (mg/100 g of soft tissue) were unaffected by treatment. Higher (P<.01) ash content in the soft tissue of forage finished steers was due primarily to more (P<.05 or P<.01) Zn, P, Mg and K. After adjustment to constant HCW, a grain vs forage production program resulted in major differences in carcass characteristics, body and soft tissue composition. Copyright © 1983. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1983 by American Society of Animal Science.