Effects of replacing whole-plant corn silage with sweet sorghum silage in diets on the slaughter performance and meat quality of beef cattle

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of replacing whole-plant corn silage (CS) with different proportions of sweet sorghum silage (SS) on slaughter performance, meat quality and economic aspects of beef cattle. Fifteen 12- to 15-month-old Simmental steers were randomly divided into five groups with different diets. The experimental period consisted of a 15-day dietary adaptation period and a 120-day trial period. The control group contained 30% corn silage (30%CS), while the experimental groups contained 30% (30%SS), 50% (50%SS), 70% (70%SS) and 90% (90%SS) sweet sorghum silage in the forage, respectively. Compared with 30%CS, the average daily intakes (ADIs) and average daily gains (ADGs) in 50%SS and 70%SS were increased by 9.4% and 6.9%, 47.3% and 12.1%, respectively. The carcass net meat rates (CMRs) of 50%SS (77.8%) and 70%SS (75.3%) were significantly higher than that of 30% CS (73.5%). Replacing CS with SS increased the content of crude protein (24.14% vs 22.42%, p < 0.05), unsaturated fatty acids (45.95% vs 41.83%, p < 0.05), C20:4 fatty acids (4.13% vs 2.76%), beef marbling and net profit in 50%SS. Therefore, replacing CS with SS in diets has effects on the slaughter performance and meat quality of beef cattle as well as economic benefits.

Keywords

• Simmental steers
• silage
• feeding
• economic benefits