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Title: EFFECT OF WINTER STOCKER GROWTH RATE AND FINISHING DIET ON BEEF RIB COMPOSITION, QUALITY AND PALATABILITY

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

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2004
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Realini, C., Duckett, S.K., Neel, J.P., Fontenot, J.P., Clapham, W.M. 2004. Effect of winter stocker growth rate and finishing diet on beef rib composition, quality and palatability. Proceedings of Journal of Animal Science. 82(1):33. Proceedings of Journal of Dairy Science. 87(1):33.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Angus-cross steers (68 steers in 2002; 62 steers in 2003) were stockered at three growth rates (LOW, MED or HIGH) during the winter months prior to finishing on pasture (PAST) or corn silage-concentrate diet (CONC) to determine the effects on 9-10-11th rib composition, color, and palatability. Steers were harvested at a commercial meat plant and rib (IMPS107) removed from each carcass. The percentage of lean, fat and bone was determined by physical dissection of the 9-10-11th rib section. Data were analyzed as a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial design with stocker growth rate, finishing treatment, year and all interactions in the model. Percentages of bone and lean in the 9-10-11th rib section were greater (P < 0.05) for PAST than CONC finished. Rib sections from steers finished on PAST had a 46% reduction (P < 0.05) in fat trim (subcutaneous and intermuscular) compared to CONC finished. Reduced growth rate (LOW) during winter stockering reduced (P < 0.05) percentage of bone and tended (P = 0.08) to increase the percentage of fat in the rib section. Rib section weight increased (P < 0.05) with higher winter growth rates for CONC but did not differ among stocker growth rates for PAST. Overall, rib section weight was 28% heavier for CONC than PAST. Longissimus muscle from PAST was darker (P < 0.01), less (P < 0.01) red, and less (P < 0.01) yellow compared to CONC. Subcutaneous fat color was darker (P < 0.01) and more yellow (P < 0.01) for PAST than CONC. The interaction between finishing treatment and year was significant (P = 0.01) for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). In 2002, WBSF at 14-d of postmortem aging did not differ between PAST and CONC; however in 2003, WBSF was greater (P < 0.05) for PAST than CONC. Increasing growth rate during winter stockering had only minor effects on rib weight and composition. Finishing diet altered rib weight and composition, lean and subcutaneous fat color, and tenderness.