Author: Emily Jeanine ArnettPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 76
Book Description
Abstract: Jersey cattle are recognized as being slower growing and having more yellow fat compared with other breeds, thus limiting the use of this breed for beef production. Because Jerseys are slower growing, they require additional time on feed to achieve acceptable market weights and yield acceptable hot carcass weights. Although Jerseys face challenges, the resulting product has other quality aspects that exceed the general beef population. Gaps in knowledge exist regarding the optimum forage level in finishing diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and beef palatability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of forage level (12 vs. 24% sudangrass:alfalfa hay, DM-basis) in steam-flaked, corn-based finishing diets on carcass characteristics, palatability, and retail color stability of Jersey beef. Seventy-nine Jersey steers were blocked by weight and randomly assigned one of the following treatments for a 385-d trial period: Jersey low- 12% (JL; n = 38) or Jersey high- 24% (JH; n = 39) forage, DM-basis. Forty-eight hours postmortem (PM), strip loins were removed, vacuum-packaged, and aged at 3°C for 18 d PM. Following the aging period, steaks from the longissimus muscle were sliced, vacuum-packaged, and frozen ( -20°C) until analyzed. Steers fed the low forage diet had greater (P 0.05) backfat and tended to have greater dressing percent compared to steers fed the high forage diet. Live weight, HCW, LMA, and USDA Yield Grade were not affected (P 0.05) by forage level. Steers fed the low forage diet on average tended to bring a 6% greater value ($63.73 more per head) compared to steers fed the high forage diet. Objective color (L*, a*, b*) measurements decreased (P