Performance, carcass traits and fatty acid profiles of yearling beef cattle supplemented with self-fed byproducts on pasture

Due to rising costs of conventional feedstuffs, more research has been focused on feeding non-conventional feedstuffs, such as byproducts of ethanol production or further processing of grains (i.e. soyhulls). Because of the health benefits of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) shown in studies on laboratory animals, consumer interest in foods enriched with CLA has increased. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of finishing yearling market steers on pasture supplemented with combinations of self-fed byproducts on live animal performance, carcass traits and fatty acid profiles; specifically CLA. British and Continental crossbred beef steers (n = 162, BW = 404 ± 29 kg) were stocked on cool season grass pastures (5.6 hd/ha) while being supplemented with ad libitum byproduct supplement. Cattle were supplemented with soyhulls and dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) or corn and DDGS offered through self-feeders. Supplements were mixed at a 1:1 ratio with a mineral balancer that included Rumensin®. Supplement effects were observed only for fatty acid profiles. Values for CLA were greater for cattle fed soyhulls-DDGS (0.63 vs. 0.44 mg/g muscle, P \u3c 0.0001) compared to cattle supplemented corn-DDGS. Live cattle performance and carcass traits were not affected by supplement. This pasture-based system of production is an opportunity for producers to increase income from non-tillable, erodible acres