Modification of beef quality through steer age at slaughter, breed cross and growth promotants

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Aalhus, J. L.
  • Basarab, J. A.
  • Girard, I.
  • Bruce., H. L.
  • Larsen, I. L.

• A 23 factorial experiment tested the interactions of slaughter age (12–13 or 18–20 mo), growth implants use (Component E-S, TE-S), ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) feed supplementation use and breed cross [Hereford–Aberdeen Angus (HAA) or Charolais–Red Angus (CRA)] on pH, temperature, objective colour measurements, relative myoglobin states, sarcomere lengths, shear force, and water losses of m. semitendinosus (ST) and m. gluteus medius (GM) from 112 crossbred steers. In the ST, age affected objective colour measurements by increasing chroma and decreasing lightness (L*) and hue angle (P0.05). Shear force standard deviation was similar for breed crosses when yearling-fed but greatest for CRA breed cross when calf-fed (P0.10). In the GM, shear force increased with age and with CRA genetics (P<0.05). Results indicated that producers seeking to reduce beef toughness should consider using British crossbreds, exclude the use of hormonal implants and slaughter process steers at 12 to13 mo of age.

• Date created

  2012

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Growth rate
  • Growth implants
  • Beef
  • Ractopamine

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3H81N

• License

  @2012 Girard, I., Aalhus, J. L., Basarab, J. A., Larsen, I. L., Bruce., H. L. This version of this article is open access and can be downloaded and shared. The original author(s) and source must be cited.