Maternal metabolizable protein level and/or methionine supplementation effects on beef steer progeny feedlot performance, feed efficiency, and carcass quality
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Abstract
These studies evaluated if maternal supplementation of rumen-protected methionine (MET) and/or metabolizable protein (MP) level during late gestation impacts steer progeny feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Fifty-five Angus-cross steer progeny were included from a research-intensive study where cows were fed isocaloric diets that supplied 90, 100, or 110% of MP requirements (NASEM, 2016), with or without 9g/d MET for the last eight weeks of gestation. Additionally, thirty-four Angus-cross steer progeny from an industry applied study where MET was supplied at a rate of 12g/d were also assessed. In a research-intensive setting, feeding below MP requirements elevated serum non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (P=0.01), and improved progeny grade fat (P=0.04). In an industry setting, MET supplementation improved steer body weight throughout life (P≤0.02), although, carcass quality was not improved. These studies demonstrated that maternal MP level may alter fat mobilization and MET supplementation can increase offspring body weight.