Comparison of conventional and Alltech Beef PN finishing programs: meat color characteristics

摘要

To maximize efficiency and profit when producing beef, American producers currentlyemploy a multitude of production programs that use feed additives such as Rumensinor Tylan (Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) and growth promotants such asimplants and Optaflexx (Elanco Animal Health). Rumensin and Tylan fed in combinationcan improve average daily gain and feed efficiency, and utilizing growth promotantsenhances feed efficiency, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, and yield gradesof carcasses. Although these products improve production efficiency, they can affectmeat quality characteristics such as retail shelf life, necessitating better understanding ofhow management decisions in the feedlot can affect retail display. The Alltech PN BeefProgram (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) consists of two products that are designed toreplace components of a conventional feedlot diet. The PN Beef Receiver is intended tobe fed during the step-up period of feeding, whereas PN Beef Finisher is intended to befed during the remainder of finishing period. Because both products are new feed alternatives,the objective of this study was to compare the effects of the Alltech PN FeedProgram to a conventional diet on fresh meat retail shelf life color when both diets werefed with or without implants and Optaflexx.