Effects of Feeding High Levels of Wet Distillers Grains and Straw on Beef Quality

Cattle (n = 336; 595 ± 20 lb) were fed one of seven diets (corn/5% straw; 40% distillers grain (DG)/5% straw; 70% DG/8% straw; 70% DG/25% straw; 77.5% DG/9% straw; 77.5% DG/17% straw, and 85% DG/10% straw – DM basis) to measure effects of feeding high levels of DG on shelf life of aged beef. Except for 70% DG/25% straw, strip loins were cut into three steaks each after 20 days of postmortem aging for 0, 4, and 7 days of retail display. The treatment having 70% DG/8% straw had the greatest oxidation status. Trans fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids increased significantly in the strips of cattle fed high levels of WDGS and straw. Treatments with the highest levels of DG (85% DG/10% straw) or straw (77.5% DG/17% straw) had the most discoloration and were darkest at day three and four of retail display