PSIX-12 The Effects of Feeding Chromium Propionate to Yearling Steers in a Commercial Feedyard on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Health

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 100; no. Supplement_3; p. 374
• Main Authors: Trojan, Sara J, Bryant, Tony C, Jennings, Jenny S, Clark, Darryl, LaFleur, Doug, Canterbury, Landon, Hergenreder, Jerilyn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 22.09.2022
• Subjects: Poster Presentations
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac247.684

Abstract Crossbred beef steers, n = 5,140; 352 ± 5.45 kg initial body weight (BW) were used to evaluate chromium propionate supplementation to yearling steers in a commercial feedyard. Cattle were blocked by arrival date and initial BW and assigned randomly to pen within block; pens were randomly assigned to treatment within block. Treatments, replicated in 15 pens per treatment with 130 to 250 steers per pen, included: 1) control (CTL), 0 mg supplemental Cr/kg dietary dry matter (DM); 2) chromium (CR) 0.50 mg supplemental Cr/kg dietary DM (4.9 mg/d; chromium propionate; KemTRACE, Chromium 0.4%, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA). Final BW, average daily gain (ADG) and gain efficiency (G:F) did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.26). Dry matter intake was greater for CR than CTL, 8.61 kg. vs. 8.49 kg, respectively (P = 0.03). Hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage, ribeye area, and 12th-rib-fat were not different for CTL or CR (P ≥ 0.12). The percentage of carcasses camera grading choice or better was greater (P = 0.04) for CR (51.2%) than CTL (48%), and the percentage of select carcasses was less (P = 0.01) for CR (41.5%) than CTL (45.5%). Yield grade distribution did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.26). There was no difference (P ≥ 0.36) in overall morbidity (7.75%), or total mortality (1.43%) between treatments. Steers fed CR had greater quality carcasses, and similar G:F and HCW to CTL.