Characteristics of the non-carcass components of steers fed different sources of dietary carbohydrates

Abstract

We evaluated the characteristics of the non-carcass components of 24 steers (Charolais × Nelore) fed different carbohydrate sources (ground corn, soybean hulls, or wheat bran) in the diet. The animals were 353.2 kg and 22 months of age at early termination, and had been fed forage consisting of sorghum silage at a forage:concentrate ratio of 40.2:59.8. The carbohydrate sources had no effect on the weights of the carcass, vital organs, and blood. The absolute weights of the intestines and rumen fat were higher (P < 0.05) in animals fed corn than in those fed soybean hulls or wheat bran (10.87 vs. 8.89 and 8.87 kg and 5.26 vs. 4.12 and 3.64 kg, respectively). The same pattern was observed when these organs weights were adjusted for empty body weight. The weight of the omasum was highest (P < 0.05) in the wheat bran-fed animals (6.02 vs. 4.70 and 5.49 kg in the corn- and soybean hull-fed animals, respectively). Animals fed soybean hulls had a higher absolute weight of kidney fat (1.6 kg) than steers receiving wheat bran (1.06 kg) or corn (0.79 kg). Wheat bran gave the highest leg weight compared with corn and soybean hulls (2.46 vs. 2.22 and 2.23 kg per 100 kg of empty body weight, respectively).