Comparison of conventional and Alltech Beef PN finishing programs: meat water-holding capacity and tenderness
Phelps, Kelsey; Miller, K. A.; Van Bibber-Krueger, Cadra L.; Jennings, J.; Depenbusch, Brandon E.; Drouillard, James S.; Gonzalez, John M.
Tenderness, juiciness, and flavor play important roles in a satisfactory beef eating experience.
All three factors can be affected by management decisions made by producers
during the production of beef. Beef producers currently use a multitude of production
programs that utilize feed additives such as Rumensin or Tylan (Elanco Animal Health,
Greenfield, IN), and growth promotants such as implants and Optaflexx (Elanco
Animal Health). Rumensin and Tylan are fed in combination to improve feedlot
performance, whereas growth promotants improve feed efficiency, average daily gain,
hot carcass weight, and yield grades of carcasses. Although the use of feed additives
and growth promotants improves production efficiency, they can affect meat characteristics
such as tenderness and water-holding capacity. The Alltech PN Beef Program
(Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) consists of two products that are designed to replace
components of the conventional feedlot diet. The PN Beef Receiver is intended to be
fed during the step-up period of feeding, whereas PN Beef Finisher is intended to be fed
during the remainder of finishing period. Because both products are new feed alternatives,
the objective of this study was to compare the fresh cooked meat quality of the
Alltech PN Beef Program to a conventional feedlot diet when both diets are combined
with or without growth promotants.
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