Comparison of meat quality characteristics, growth, and feed efficiency of intact and castrated post-pubertal bovine males

Authors

  • D. U. Thomson Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • M. E. Youngers Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • E. F. Schwandt Department of Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • S. J. Bartle Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • M. G. Siemens Cargill Meat Solutions, Wichita, KS 67202
  • C. D. Reinhardt Department of Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol51no1p25-30

Keywords:

beef, bulls, carcass, castrated, meat quality

Abstract

Yearling Red Angus or Black Angus bulls (n = 24; initial BW = 1,336 ± 25.1 lb; (606 ± 11.4 kg); average 16 mo of age) were used to evaluate the effects of castration and use of growth promoting technology (STR) on performance, carcass traits, and meat quality characteristics when compared to intact (BULL) post-pubertal male cattle. The STR treatment included administration of a combination 120 mg trenbolone acetate + 24 mg estradiol growth-promoting implant on d 0 and feeding ractopamine hydrochloride the last 28 d on feed. Cattle were individually fed a corn-based finishing diet for 62 d and harvested at a commercial abattoir. Intact bulls had greater average daily gain (4.08 vs 3.19 lb or 1.85 vs 1.45 kg/d; P = 0.02) and feed:gain ratio (8.54 vs 10.97; P = 0.02) than STR. There were no treatment differences for dry-matter intake, quality or yield grade, hot carcass weight, back-fat thickness, or dressing percent (P < 0.05). Longissimus muscle area was greater in BULL compared to STR carcasses (16.6 vs 15.0 in2 or 106.9 vs 96.8 cm2; P < 0.01). Warner-Bratzler Shear Force was not affected (P > 0.05) by treatment. Intact bulls had improved performance with no differences in carcass characteristics, tenderness, or sensory panel measurements compared to STR treatment.

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Published

2017-02-01

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

Comparison of meat quality characteristics, growth, and feed efficiency of intact and castrated post-pubertal bovine males. (2017). The Bovine Practitioner, 51(1), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol51no1p25-30

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