Growth performance and carcass traits of steers finished on three different systems including legume–grass pasture and grain diets

Abstract

Inclusion of legume in grass pastures optimizes protein values of the forage and promotes improved digestibility. Therefore, we hypothesized that finishing steers on a novel combination of legumes and grass pasture would produce carcasses with acceptable traits when compared to carcasses from steers finished in feedlot systems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of finishing steers on three systems including: grazing legume–grass pasture containing oats, ryegrass, white and red clover (PAST), grazing PAST plus supplementation with whole corn grain (14 g/kg BW (SUPP)), and on a feedlot-confined system with concentrate only (28 g/kg BW, consisting of 850 g/kg of whole corn grain and 150 g/kg of protein–mineral–vitamin supplement (GRAIN)) on growth performance of steers, carcass traits and digestive disorders. Eighteen steers were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments and finished for 91 days. Data regarding pasture and growth performance were collected during three different periods (0 to 28, 29 to 56 and 57 to 91 days). Subsequently, steers were harvested to evaluate carcass traits, presence of rumenitis, abomasitis and liver abscesses. The legume–grass pasture provided more than 19% dry matter of protein. In addition, pasture of paddocks where steers were assigned to SUPP and PAST treatments showed similar nutritional quality. When compared to PAST, finishing on SUPP increased total weight gain per hectare, stocking rate, daily and total weight gains. The increase of weight gain was high to GRAIN than SUPP and PAST. Steers finished on GRAIN had high hot carcass weight, fat thickness and marbling score when compared to PAST. However, these attributes did not differ between GRAIN and SUPP. Abomasum lesions were more prevalent in steers finished on GRAIN when compared to PAST. Results of this research showed that it is possible to produce carcasses with desirable market weight and fat thickness by finishing steers on legume–grass pasture containing oats, ryegrass, white and red clover. Moreover, supplementing steers with corn when grazing on legume–grass pasture produced similar carcass traits when compared to beef fed corn only.

Growth Performance, Carcass and Meat Traits of Autochthonous Arouquesa Weaners Raised on Traditional and Improved Feeding Systems

“…Interestingly, we can observe that pH values are higher than those described in other studies. Indeed [ 47 ], for Angus steers finished with legume-grass pasture, legume-grass pasture with whole corn grain, and grain-only diet, meat pH values of 5.61, 5.63, and 5.62, respectively, were presented, and as in our study, the values did not differ between groups. Fruet et al [ 48 ] reported an average pH 24h of 5.74 for crossbreds and Mirandesa , a Portuguese mountain breed bearing some similarities to the Arouquesa breed.…”

Genetics of Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism and Meat Eating Quality in Tattykeel Australian White Lambs

“…Lamb finishing on pasture is cheaper than grain feeding [107], but the viability of pasture-finishing depends on a consistent supply of good quality forage [108]. This is achieved by growing a mixture of grasses and legumes.…”

Influence of Annual Plant Diversity on Forage Productivity and Nutrition, Soil Chemistry, and Soil Microbial Communities

“…The overall improvement of forage quality in mixtures vs. the cereal monoculture was particularly evident in Swift Current during the very dry conditions of 2017, which might indicate that annual forage mixtures might be a useful crop management option to provide higher quality forage under stressful growing conditions. In addition, the improved forage quality in mixtures could also lead to greater potential market value and improve animal performance in beef, dairy, and sheep production systems (Buza et al, 2014;McKenzie et al, 2017;Fruet et al, 2019;Tufail et al, 2020).…”