preston39
Well-known member
Posted from Angus E-list release;
"Early Weaning Could Improve Carcass Quality
Kansas State University (K-State) researchers have found that weaning calves earlier can improve carcass quality.
According to a university release, a research project designed to investigate the effects of early weaning on carcass characteristics of bulls and steers confirmed that early weaning measurably improves carcass quality of both bulls and steers.
Twig Marston, K-State beef specialist and one of the researchers, said the early-maturing cattle used in the study were weaned at 117 days, compared to the more common 220 days, and cattle were harvested at about 12 months of age. Of the steaks from young bulls and steers, the bull samples had a greater incidence of less tender meat; however, carcass cutability was better compared to steer calves. Young bulls also had a greater percentage of dark-cutting carcasses.
"Early-weaned bulls were expected to outperform early-weaned steers and have as good or better carcass quality," Marston stated in the release. "But that didn't happen. In addition, the eating quality characteristics were better for the early-weaned steers than early-weaned bulls or the cattle weaned at seven to eight months of age. We believe that greater differences between bulls and steers would occur if the cattle would have been slaughtered at older ages than those used in the trial."
For more information and a complete analysis of the research project, visit http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/SRP943.pdf."
"Early Weaning Could Improve Carcass Quality
Kansas State University (K-State) researchers have found that weaning calves earlier can improve carcass quality.
According to a university release, a research project designed to investigate the effects of early weaning on carcass characteristics of bulls and steers confirmed that early weaning measurably improves carcass quality of both bulls and steers.
Twig Marston, K-State beef specialist and one of the researchers, said the early-maturing cattle used in the study were weaned at 117 days, compared to the more common 220 days, and cattle were harvested at about 12 months of age. Of the steaks from young bulls and steers, the bull samples had a greater incidence of less tender meat; however, carcass cutability was better compared to steer calves. Young bulls also had a greater percentage of dark-cutting carcasses.
"Early-weaned bulls were expected to outperform early-weaned steers and have as good or better carcass quality," Marston stated in the release. "But that didn't happen. In addition, the eating quality characteristics were better for the early-weaned steers than early-weaned bulls or the cattle weaned at seven to eight months of age. We believe that greater differences between bulls and steers would occur if the cattle would have been slaughtered at older ages than those used in the trial."
For more information and a complete analysis of the research project, visit http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/SRP943.pdf."