LIVE ANIMAL PERFORMANCE, CARCASS TRAITS, AND MEAT PALATABILITY OF CALF-FED AND YEARLING-FED CLONED STEERS

Two groups of Brangus steers produced by nuclear transplantation cloni ng were used in parallel studies investigating the impact of calf- and yearling-feeding. The first group (n = 8) were fed as calves (CF; n = 4) or yearlings (YF; n = 4) to a constant age end point of 16 mo. The second group (n = 10) were fed as calves (CF; n = 5) or yearlings (YF ; n = 5) to a constant live weight end point (530 kg). When slaughtere d at the same age, CF and YF steers did not differ (P > .05) in feedlo t ADG, but the CF steers were heavier and had higher dressing percenta ges, numeric yield grades, and quality grades (P < .05). Top loin stea ks from the groups of steers did not differ (P > .05) in palatability traits. When fed to a constant live weight, the YF steers gained more rapidly (P < .05) and had lower (P < .05) numeric yield grades than di d CF steers. Again CF steers had higher (P < .05) dressing percentages . There was no difference (P > .05) between the treatments in carcass quality grade or meat palatability characteristics. Thus, when finishe d to a constant weight end point, YF steers gained more rapidly, with no adverse effects on carcass quality grade or palatability traits; ho wever, CF steers consistently produced higher dressing percentages, la rgely due to greater external fatness.