Influence of Feed Efficiency on Meat Tenderness Attributes of Beef Steers

Meat tenderness was assessed on steaks from steers considered highly or lowly feed efficient (FE). Overall, minimal differences were noted for tenderness attributes. There was a tendency for greater calpastatin activity in steaks from steers classified as highly feed efficient (HFE). Despite a tendency for increased calpastatin activity in steaks from HFE steers, there were no differences in calpain 1 autolysis or d 2, or d 14 troponin-T degradation due to feed efficiency (FE) classification. Analysis of d 2 troponin-T degradation indicated no differences due to diet type; however, d 14 troponin-T degradation was greater in steaks from steers finished on a corn-based diet, suggesting finishing diet affected extent of protein degradation. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was affected by dietary treatment with steaks from roughage grown steers having a greater WBSF than those grown on corn. Based on this study cattle with high FE don’t appear to produce less tender steak; however, further research is needed to evaluate feed efficiency and meat tenderness