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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316611
Title: Metabolizable energy intake effects on carcass quality of steers finished in southern Chile during summer time

Author
item ARIAS, RODRIGO - University Of Chile
item ALVARADO-GILIS, CHRISTIAN - University Of Chile
item Brown-Brandl, Tami
item MADER, TERRY - Mader Consulting, Llc

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2015
Publication Date: 7/12/2015
Citation: Arias, R.A., Alvarado-Gilis, C., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Mader, T.L. 2015. Metabolizable energy intake effects on carcass quality of steers finished in southern Chile during summer time [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 93(Supplement s3):861.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A total of 24 red Angus steers (BW = 431.16 ± 10.44) were sorted by BW (lighter or heavier) and allocated in 4 pens (6 head/pen) equipped with a Calan Broadbent Feeding System (American Calan, USA) to assess the effect of metabolizable energy intake (MEI) on beef carcass quality during the summer time in southern Chile. Steers were allocated into one of two treatments: T1 = 1.85x or T2 = 2.72x MEI for maintenance. Animals were fed once per day with the same diet (grass silage + oat + canola meal + minerals); therefore treatments were applied by controlling DMI. Climatic data were obtained from a weather station located at 5 km southeast in order to assess animal thermal comfort by mean of two thermal indices (THI and the Comprehensive Climate Index). The study considered a period of 84 days on feed plus 19 days of pre-experimental period in order to allow the animals get used to the facilities and feeders. Finally, steers were slaughtered on 04/28/2014 in Temuco, where carcass data including hot and cold carcass weight, KPH, muscle pH, rib eye area, marbling score, and back fat were collected between 9th and 10th rib, after 48 hours post slaughtering. All data were analyzed under a complete randomize block design arrangement (a = 0.05), with each steer an experimental and observational unit. The pH values in both treatments were considered suitable, 5.57 and 5.52 ± 0.05 for T1 and T2, respectively (P = 0.42). Values of back fat observed did not show differences (3.92 and 3.87 ± 0.77 for T1 and T2, respectively; P = 0.96). In the case of average values for rib eye area and KPH were also similar between treatments (P > 0.05). Finally, hot carcass weight was also similar between treatments (P = 0.15). Therefore, no differences between T1 and T2 were observed for carcass quality of steers finished during summer time in any of the variables measured. In addition, based on the thermal comfort indices assessed, animals did not suffer heat stress, being able to deal in good shape the summer season. The latter mainly due to the large temperature drop as resulting of cold nights and the availability of water. On the other hand, there were no differences in ADG (0.95 vs. 1.25 ±0.15 kg / day for T1 and T2, respectively; P = 0.1836). Based on the data herein collected we can conclude that for southern Chile conditions during summer time, MEI had no impact on beef carcass quality.