Influence of feeding a grass hay diet during the early stage of the fattening period on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat production in Japanese Black steers.

ABSTRACT: The present study investigated the influence of feeding a large amount of grass hay to steers from the early to middle fattening period on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat characteristics. Steers were randomly divided into grass hay-fed (GHF, n = 6) and concentrate-fed (CF, n = 6) groups. The dressed weight of the GHF steers was lower than that of the CF steers, but the final body weight was not significantly different between the groups. The GHF steers had decreased subcutaneous fat and rib thickness compared with the CF steers. Lipid content, monounsaturated fatty acids, and drip loss in the muscles were lower in the GHF steers than in the CF steers. Furthermore, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in the GHF steers compared with the CF steers. The GHF steers had lower b

SUBMITTER: Shibata M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6590438 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature