Record-keeping systems for beef safety and feedlot health

Three hundred nine feedlots were mailed questionnaires to ascertain the types of recordkeeping systems currently being used to monitor health programs and FDA-specified treatment withdrawal times. Microcomputer systems were of special interest. Approximately one third of the feedlots responded. A majority with a one-time feeding capacity of more than 10,000 head were using a microcomputer record-keeping system, whereas most of those with fewer than 10,000 head used a manual, paper-based system. Those feedlots using computerized record-keeping systems had purchased their software package from one of five companies. Managers felt these software packages were adequate for billing customers, monitoring pharmaceutical inventory and withdrawal period, and aiding treatment diagnosis. Proper monitoring of animal inventory was indicated by some feedlots as a limitation of their particular software. Almost all feedlots using computer record-keeping systems indicated that fewer than five employees operate the system on a regular basis. Among feedlots using computerized systems, the scope of the particular software in use met the yards' perceived needs. Approximately 23% of responding feedlots regularly used blood or urine tests to verify proper drug withdrawal and clearance prior to shipping previously treated cattle

Performance and carcass characteristics of cull beef cows implanted with growth promotants and fed a high concentrate ration

Open, cull beef cows fed a high concentrate ration for 28 or 56 days and implanted with Finaplix-H®, Synovex-H®, or both had improved gain and feed efficiency compared to controls (nonimplanted cows). Changes in ultrasound-measured backfat (12th rib) of implanted cows and controls were similar in both feeding periods. Marbling, fat color, and tenderness, as measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force, were not improved by feeding cows for 56 days compared to 28 days. However, lean color, dressing percent, and ribeye area were improved by feeding for 56 days. Numerical yield grade was lower (P<.05) in 28-day fed cows. Implanting with Synovex-H or Finaplix-H resulted in leaner carcasses with lower yield grades compared to controls. Ribeye area was increased by using Synovex-H compared to controls and Finaplix- H. These data indicate that the benefits in gain, feed efficiency, and carcass traits from implanting cull cows can be obtained by using either Synovex-H or Finaplix-H alone

Silagem de milho e grão de sorgo como suplementos para vacas de descarte terminadas em pastagem cultivada de estação fria Corn silage and sorghum grain supplementation to cull cows finished on cultivated winter pasture

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com silagem de milho ou grão de sorgo no desempenho e características da carcaça e da carne de vacas de descarte, submetidas ao pastejo restrito em pastagem de aveia (Avena strigosa) + azevém (Lolium multiflorum). Foram utilizadas 30 vacas mestiças Charolês-Nelore, com idade média de oito anos, distribuídas em igual número e ao acaso em três tratamentos: silagem de milho (TSI) ou grão de sorgo moído (TSO) como suplemento, e não suplementação (TPH). A suplementação com silagem de milho proporcionou aos animais maior escore corporal ao final do experimento (4,35 pontos contra 4,15 do TPH e 4,22 pontos para o TSO). Não houve efeito do volumoso ou concentrado suplementar sobre o peso corporal, ganho de peso diário e ganho em escore corporal. Não houve efeito de tratamento (P>0,05) sobre pesos e rendimentos quentes e frios da carcaça, espessura de gordura subcutânea, conformação, espessura de coxão, área de Longissimus dorsi e percentagem de cortes comerciais. A suplementação resultou em maior percentagem de gordura na carcaça e influenciou a cor e o marmoreio da carne. A silagem de milho e o grão de sorgo servem como alternativa para a suplementação de vacas de descarte em pastagem de aveia e azevém, uma vez que melhora as características da carcaça, embora sem efeito sobre o desempenho quando comparado à pastagem exclusiva.<br>The effect of supplementation with corn silage or sorghum grain on the performance and characteristics of carcass and meat of cull cows, under temporary grazing on oats (Avena strigosa) + ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture was evaluated. Thirty crossbred Charolais-Nellore cull cows, with averaging eight-yearold,were randomly distributed in three treatments. The animals received corn silage (TSI) or sorghum grain (TSO) as supplement, while another lot did not receive supplementation (TPH). Animals supplemented with corn silage showed higher final body condition score (4.35 points versus 4.15 for TPH and 4.22 for TSO). No effect of supplementation on body weight, average daily weight gain; and body condition score gain were verified. Differences were not observed concerning carcasses weight, hot and cold yield of carcasses, fat thickness, conformation, cushion thickness, Longissimus dorsi area, and commercial cuts percentages. Supplemented animals showed better color and higher marbling of meat. Corn silage and sorghum grain are alternative for the supplementation of cull cows in oats and ryegrass pasture, since they showed better carcass characteristics, although no effect on the performance in relation to exclusive pasture was detected

Composição física da carcaça e qualidade da carne de novilhos jovens e superjovens de diferentes grupos genéticos Carcass physical composition and meat quality of steers and young steers of different genetic groups

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar a composição física da carcaça e as características qualitativas da carne de novilhos jovens (abatidos aos 22,8 meses de idade) e superjovens (abatidos aos 15,2 meses de idade) dos grupos genéticos 5/8 Charolês (CH) 3/8 Nelore (NE) e 5/8NE 3/8CH e a relação entre as variáveis estudadas. Os animais foram terminados em confinamento até atingirem 430 kg. A dieta alimentar continha relação volumoso:concentrado de 60:40 (base na matéria seca), com 10,25% de proteína bruta e 3,18 Mcal de energia digestível/kg de matéria seca. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com seis repetições, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 (duas categorias x dois grupos genéticos). Animais jovens apresentaram carcaças com maior porcentagem e quantidade total de músculo (66,45% e 153,93 kg vs 60,27% e 141,00 kg), maior relação músculo:gordura (3,64 vs 2,45) e menor porcentagem e quantidade total de gordura (18,59% e 43,59 kg vs 24,78% e 58,07 kg) e carne com menor grau de marmoreio (6,25 vs 8,42 pontos), menor suculência (6,83 vs 7,34 pontos) e menor teor de lipídios (1,01 vs 1,76%) que os superjovens. Animais jovens apresentaram similaridade para cor (4,42 pontos) e maciez da carne, avaliada tanto pelo painel (6,53 e 6,92 pontos) como pela força de cisalhamento (3,84 e 4,22 kgf/cm&sup3;), que os superjovens. Animais 5/8NE 3/8CH apresentaram carcaças com maior percentagem de gordura (22,43 vs 20,95). O grupo genético dos animais não influenciou a qualidade da carne. A maciez da carne foi positivamente correlacionada com a porcentagem (r = 0,27) e quantidade total (r = 0,31) de gordura na carcaça e com a quantidade de marmoreio (r = 0,28). A suculência da carne também correlacionou-se positivamente com o percentual (r = 0,45) e quantidade total (r = 0,47) de gordura na carcaça. A maciez e suculência da carne correlacionaram-se negativamente com a quebra ao descongelamento da carne (r = -0,23 e -0,31, respectivamente).<br>The objective of this trial was to evaluate the carcass physical composition and meat qualitative characteristics of males of two categories, steers (slaughtered at 22.8 months old) and young steers (slaughtered at 15.2 months old), from two genetic groups, 5/8 Charolais (CH) 3/8 Nellore (NE) and 5/8NE 3/8CH, and to evaluate the relationship among the variables studied. The animals were fedlot finished until reaching 430 kg. The diet, roughage:concentrate ratio of 60:40 (dry matter basis), contained 10.25% crude protein and 3.18 Mcal of digestible energy/kg of dry matter. The experiment was analyzed as a complete randomized design with six replicates, according to a 2 x 2 (two categories x two genetic groups) factorial scheme. Steers showed carcasses with higher percentage and total quantity of muscle (66.45% and 153.93 kg vs. 60.27% and 141.00 kg), higher muscle:fat ratio (3.64 vs. 2.45), carcasses with lower percentage and total quantity of fat (18.59% and 43.59 kg vs. 24.78% and 58.07 kg), meat with less marbling (6.25 vs. 8.42 points), less juiciness (6.83 vs. 7.34 points) and lipid content (1.01 vs. 1.76%) than young steers. Steers showed equal meat color (4.42 points) and similar meat tenderness, evaluated by the test panel (6.53 and 6.92 points) and shear force (3.84 and 4.22 kgf/cm&sup3;) in relation to young steers. The 5/8NE 3/8CH animals showed carcasses with higher fat percentage (22.43 vs. 20.95). Meat quality characteristics were not influenced by genetic group. Meat tenderness was positively correlated with percentual (r = 0.27) and total (r = 0.31) carcass fat, and with marbling score (r = 0.28). Meat juiciness showed positive correlation with percentual (r = 0.45) and total (r = 0.47) carcass fat. The two last ones were negatively associated with thawing loss (r = - 0.23 and -0.31, respectively)