PSXII-14 - Effects of feeding 10-G on performance and carcass quality of yearling beef steers

Abstract: Life Products’ direct fed microbial, 10-G, is a lipid-coated and heat protected mixed culture containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus plantarum. Previous small-pen research has reported inconsistent benefits to performance and carcass characteristics from feeding 10-G. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of feeding 10-G on growth performance and carcass quality in yearling steers. In this randomized complete block design, 6,400 yearling steers were allocated to treatment (10-G or control) within a block (n = 16), where pen served as experiment unit. Trial diets were composed of steam-flaked corn, wheat silage, corn silage, and Sweet Bran Plus. The addition of 10-G within the treatment diet was at an inclusion of 2 g /animal/ day to provide 1x10⁹ cfu for approximately 170 days. Mean initial body weight was 358 kg and cattle were on feed for an average of 182 days. No differences (P > 0.10) were observed between treatments for dry matter intake (control-9.75 vs 10-G-9.80 kg), final body weight (control-641vs 10-G-641 kg), average daily gain (control-1.55 vs 10-G-1.55 kg/d), or feed efficiency (control-2.85 vs 10-G-2.87). When evaluating carcass characteristics, there were no differences (P > 0.10) for hot carcass weight (control-415 vs 10-G-413 kg) or liver abscess prevalence (control-17.4 vs 10-G-18.2%). However, dressed carcass yield was decreased (P = 0.05) by 0.17% for cattle fed 10-G (control-64.51 vs 10-G-64.34%). No differences (P > 0.10) were observed for marbling score (control-Small²⁹ vs 10-G-Small²⁷), ribeye area (control-100.00 vs 10-G-100.00 cm²), backfat thickness (control-1.30 vs 10-G-1.30 cm). USDA quality grade outcomes. In conclusion, the supplementation of 10-G direct fed microbial did not influence live or carcass performance within this trial.