Feedlot practices which may affect quality grade in Brahman cross cattle

Abstract

Over I 1,000 calves were sent from the same ranch to 13 different feedyards across the country. Test groups of cattle were sent to two of the feedyards for closer examination and comparison. In terms of percent USDA Choice, the test group from Feedyard A graded 28.57 points higher than the test group from Feedyard B according to the USDA graders. The Control grader found a difference of 28.67 points in favor of Feedyard A. Therefore, none of the difference between the two sets of cattle can be attributed to differences in USDA graders. Additional fat thickness on the cattle from Feedyard A accounted for 29.8% of the total variation between the two sets, but the carcasses from Feedyard B were chilled for 36 h (compared to 24 h for the Feedyard A carcasses) which would increase the total variation. The most probable feedlot practices which affected quality grade in the test cattle were days on feed and total energy intake, both of which favored Feedyard A. Some other possible factors which could have affected quality grade in the test cattle included: fat added to the ration, time of day cattle were shipped to the packing plant, pen space, and treatment just prior to slaughter. Other data from Feedyard B suggested there was no difference in average quality grade between the test cattle from Feedyard A and the average set of cattle from the same ranch fed at Feedyard B, If this data is accurate, it suggests that none of the differences studied in this project has a dramatic impact on quality grade. Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Shawn Ramsey Dr. Steve Wikse