Effect of feeding treatment during the backgrounding phase of beef production from pasture on: I. Animal performance, carcass and meat quality

This research evaluated effects of feedlot backgrounding on 40, 70 or 100% alfalfa hay diets (40hay, 70hay; 100hay, respectively) or pasture grazing (Pasture) before pasture finishing, on performance and beef characteristics of Angus heifers. Ninety six female calves were allocated to the four feeding strategies. Backgrounding took place during 114 days and subsequent pasture finishing over 132 days. Heifers of each strategy were slaughtered after 114 days (end of the feedlot period) and at end of the study when all remaining animals were finished on pasture. Effects of backgrounding were associated with rate of gain. Backgrounding strategies 40hay and Pasture resulted in the best performance. Beef attributes were similar. At the end of the feedlot period, 100hay was smaller and leaner, less tender and less juicy. At the end of the study, Pasture and 40hay heifers had on average the largest back fat thickness and intramuscular fat measurements. No treatment effects were detected for Warner–Bratzler shear force, muscle pH, muscle color and sensory panel attributes.

► Backgrounding strategies affect beef tenderness and sensory parameters. ► Performance during backgrounding correlates with quality of pasture finished beef. ► Low gain during backgrounding could compromise beef tenderness and juiciness. ► Backgrounding on 40 to 70% hay would not affect palatability of pastured beef.