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Title: EFFECT OF WINTERING PERIOD GROWTH RATE ON FINISHING GROWTH RATE, FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS PARAMETERS FROM FORAGE OR HIGH CONCENTRATE FINISHED CATTLE

Author
item Neel, James
item FONTENOT, J - VIRGINIA TECH
item Clapham, William
item DUCKETT, S - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2003
Publication Date: 6/22/2003
Citation: NEEL, J.P., FONTENOT, J.P., CLAPHAM, W.M., DUCKETT, S.K. EFFECT OF WINTERING PERIOD GROWTH RATE ON FINISHING GROWTH RATE, FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS PARAMETERS FROM FORAGE OR HIGH CONCENTRATE FINISHED CATTLE. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. 2003. v. 81 (Suppl 1): Abstract p. 355.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Seventy two English-type crossbred steer calves were used to compare growth rate, final weight and carcass parameters from cattle finished on forage (FOR) or high concentrate (CON), after being wintered at low (LOW, ADG = 0.36 kg), medium (MED, ADG = 0.55) or high (HIGH, ADG = 0.82) growth rates. Steers were harvested on the same dates, across treatments, at a commercial meat plant. Data were analyzed as a 3 x 2 factorial design with winter treatment, finishing treatment and two-way interaction in the model. Steer ADG during finishing was greater (P < .01) for LOW than HIGH and tended to be greater (P < 0.10) for MED than HIGH wintering treatments. Animals had greater (P < 0.001) ADG for CON than FOR. Final weight (FW) was greater (P < 0.05) for MED and HIGH than LOW wintering treatments and greater (P < 0.001) for CON than FOR. Carcass weight (CW) was greater (P < 0.05) for MED and HIGH than LOW and tended to be greater (P < 0.10) for HIGH than MED. Animals finished on CON had greater (P < 0.001) CW than FOR. Wintering treatment did not influence (P > 0.10) dressing percentage (DP), yield grade (YG), rib fat (RF), ribeye area (REA) or percent kidney, pelvic and heart fat (% KPH), however quality grade (QG) was greater (P < 0.01) for HIGH than LOW and tended to be greater (P < 0.12) for HIGH than MED. Animals finished on CON had greater (P < 0.001) ADG, FW, CW, DP, YG, QG, RF, REA and % KPH. Wintering steers on the LOW treatment resulted in greater ADG during the finishing period, and lower CW and QG than HIGH but did not influence other carcass characteristics. Finishing cattle on CON resulted in greater ADG, FW, CW, DP, YG, QG, RF, REA and % KPH.