FellowshipS Seminar 2016

Poster ABSTRACTS
Effect of winter growth rate on subsequent
performance of suckler bulls and ultimate
muscle colour and sensory quality of beef
G.B. Mezgebo 1,2 , F.J. Monahan 2 , M. McGee 1 , E.G. O’Riordan 1 and A.P. Moloney 1
1 Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co.Meath
2 University College Dublin, School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dublin 4
Variations in early life growth rate can influence the physiological state of beef cattle and muscle characteristics, which
in turn influence meat quality. The effect of restricting growth during winter on the performance during subsequent
growing and finishing periods, and muscle colour and sensory characteristics of beef from bulls, was investigated.
Weaned Charolais and Limousin sired suckler bulls (n = 42) were assigned to one of three target winter growth rate
treatments: 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 kg liveweight/day. The feeding regimes to achieve the target growth rates were 2, 4 and 6
kg concentrate daily, respectively, plus grass silage ad libitum. The duration of the winter feeding period was 123 d after
which bulls were turned out to pasture and grazed for 99 d before re-housing and finishing on ad libitum concentrates
plus grass silage. The duration of the concentrate finishing periods was 71, 65 and 51 d for 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 treatments,
respectively. Liveweight gain during the grazing period was higher (P < 0.001) for the 0.6 treatment than for the 1.0 and
1.5 treatments, which did not differ. Muscle colour, metabolic enzyme activity and fibre type distribution were similar
(P > 0.05) between treatments. Apart from tenderness, which was rated higher (P < 0.05) for the 0.6 compared to the
1.0 treatment, juiciness, beefy flavour, flavour liking and overall liking scores of the beef were not influenced by winter
growth rate. Overall, restricting growth rate during winter had little effect on the animal performance during subsequent
periods or on beef quality.
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