Effect of feeding a processed barley/canola meal pellet on performance and carcass quality of feedlot steers

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding a processed barley/canola meal pellet on feedlot performance and carcass quality of feedlot steers. Cross-bred steers (N=350) weighing 285±22kg were assigned to 1 of 12 pens and fed either pelleted (PB) or rolled (RB) barley as the concentrate. During backgrounding, cattle were fed a diet that contained 41% PB or RB based-concentrate (DM basis), which consisted of 85% barley and 15% canola meal. During finishing the diet contained 86% concentrate (DM basis), which consisted of 94% pelleted or rolled barley and 6% canola meal. Data collection included daily pen feed intake, individual body weights, ultrasound backfat (USBF) and longissimus dorsi (USLD) area measurements. Carcass data included weight, dressing percentage, marbling and liver abscess scores. Carcass fat, lean and bone percentage, fat color, and l. dorsi intramuscular fat content and fatty acid profile were determined on eight-bone rib samples from 20 randomly selected steers from each treatment. Steers fed the PB had similar ADG during backgrounding (1.29 vs. 1.23 kg d-1; P=0.30); however, during finishing (1.80 vs. 2.00 kg d-1; P <0.01) and for the total trial (1.60vs. 1.70kg d-1; P <0.01), daily gains were greater for cattle fed RB. As a result, cattle fed PB were on feed for 10 d longer (P=0.01) than RB fed cattle. DMI was lower (P <0.01) for cattle fed PB throughout the trial. Feed conversion (kg feed:kg gain) was superior for the group fed the PB during finishing (6.03 vs. 6.21; P=0.01) and the total trial (6.27 vs. 6.64; P <0.01). Both diets produced similar carcasses, but inter-muscular fat percentage was higher (P=0.03) for the RB group (60.0 vs. 57.4%). Minor differences in fatty acid profile were noted with PB fed steers having higher (P <0.01) levels of C17:0, C18:3n-3 and C20:4n-6. Results from this study indicate that PB can be used effectively in growing programs, however, further research is required to better manage feeding of PB products to avoid DMI reductions most likely due to sub-acute rumen acidosis.