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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #162195
Title: EFFECT OF WINTER PERIOD RATE OF GAIN ON FINISHING GROWTH RATE, FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS PARAMETERS FROM PASTURE OR FEEDLOT FINISHED CATTLE

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

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2004
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Neel, J.P., Fontenot, J.P., Clapham, W.M., Duckett, S.K. 2004. Effect of winter period rate of gain on finishing growth rate, final weight and carcass parameters from pasture or feedlot finished cattle. Journal of Animal Science. 82(1):33.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: English-type crossbred steer calves (71 head in 2002; 62 head in 2003) were used to compare growth rate, final weight and carcass parameters from cattle finished on pasture (PAST) or corn silage-concentrate (CON) in feedlots, after being wintered at projected 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 x 2 factorial design with winter treatment, finishing treatment, year and all interactions in the model. Winter treatment influenced (P < 0.05) finishing ADG (ADG), final weight (FW), carcass weight (CW), dressing percentage (DP) and quality grade QG. Steer ADG during finishing was greater (P < 0.05) for LOW than MED and MED than HIGH wintering treatments. Animal FW and QG was greater (P < 0.01) for HIGH than LOW winter treatment. Carcass weight and DP was greater (P < 0.05) for HIGH. Finishing treatment influenced (P < 0.001) yield grade (YG), rib fat (RF), ribeye area (REA), kidney, pelvic and heart fat (KPH) and QG with values being higher for the CON treatment. The interaction between finishing treatment and year was significant (P < 0.05) for ADG, FW, CW and DP. Pasture finished cattle had lower (P < 0.001) ADG, FW, CW and DP in year two than one, while no differences were seen between years for the CON treatment. Year influenced (P < 0.05) RF, KPH and QG. Cattle had higher (P < 0.05) RF and QG, and lower KPH in year 1. Lower winter period gain resulted in greater finish period gain. Finishing cattle on CON resulted in greater ADG, FW, CW, DP, YG, QG, RF, REA and KPH. Carcass quality grades were lower in year 2 than year 1.