The Influence of Level of Fat and Energy in the Ration upon Feedlot Performance and Carcass Composition of Fattening Steers

Abstract

The effect of two levels of fat and two levels of energy upon rate of gain, efficiency of feed utilization, and carcass composition has been studied with fattening steers. The influence of these factors upon plasma carotene, vitamin A and fat, and upon characteristics of body fat was also determined. Results of this test indicate that feeding high fat rations to fattening steers had a markedly beneficial effect upon the efficiency of feed utilization. There was no improvement in rate of gain or carcass grade. Feeding higher levels of energy, however, made a very slight improvement in carcass grade. In this trial, as in previous trials, feeding higher levels of fat significantly improved absorption and utilization of dietary carotene and also brought about a very marked increase in the level of blood fat. The high fat intake brought about a smaller deposition of fat in the 9, 10, and 11 rib cut, but depot body fat showed a lower iodine number and was, therefore, more saturated. Copyright © . .