The impact of antemortem nutrition in beef cattle on carcass yield and quality grade
2006
Schaefer, A.L. | Stanley, R.W. | Tong, A.K.W. | Dubeski, P. | Robinson, B. | Aalhus, J.L. | Robertson, W.M.
Three thousand and thirty-six crossbred steers and heifers averaging 570 +/- 7.1 kg were used in the present study to test the efficacy of providing antemortem nutrition for 12 to 24 h pre-slaughter on carcass yield, grade and meat quality. All cattle were transported for up to 6 h prior to being held overnight at one of three midwestern USA abattoir sites. While at the abattoir, the cattle were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: control (offered water only 12 to 24 h pre-slaughter, which is industry standard practice); placebo (offered 2 kg per head of a rice hull-corn-based pelleted feed for 12 to 24 h pre-slaughter plus ad libitum water); or nutritional therapy (offered 2 kg of an energy/amino acid/electrolyte product plus ad libitum water for 12 to 24 h pre-slaughter). The cattle offered antemortem nutritional therapy displayed a 20% or greater retention of quality grade score (P < 0.01) and a significant reduction in dark-firm-dry beef (P < 0.05) compared with either the placebo or control animals. In addition, animals receiving nutritional therapy treatment had a greater retention of carcass weight (greater than or equal to 2 kg, P < 0.05) compared with control cattle. Data from the present study suggest that the use of antemortem nutrition, especially for overnight-held cattle, may be effective in reducing carcass loss and quality grade reduction.
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