PSII-B-16 - Effect of Calcium Gluconate Embedded in a Hydrogenated Fat Matrix on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Beef Heifers

Abstract: Gluconate salts have been reported to be metabolized by microbes in the gastrointestinal tract to yield butyrate and consequently enhance its functionality. The objective was to evaluate feed intake, growth, and carcass characteristics for heifers fed increasing doses of hydrogenated fat-embedded calcium gluconate (HFCG). Twenty-one 10-mo Simmental × Limousin beef heifers, blocked by initial BW (323 ± 35.3 kg), were individually fed for 206 d (8.72% barley silage, 87.44% dry-rolled barley grain, and 3.84% mineral and vitamin supplement) and used to evaluate three different levels of HFCG (0.0%, 0.09%, and 0.18%; on DM basis through substitution of barley grain). Dry matter intake was determined weekly, and BW was measured at the start and end of the study and every three weeks. Carcass weight was recorded and carcasses were refrigerated for 13 d. The left ribeye (10^th to 13^th rib) was excised and evaluated by a certified grader from the Canadian Beef Grading Agency. Inclusion of HFCG did not affect DMI (8.29 kg/d; P = 0.87), ADG (1.37 kg/d; P =0.55), or G:F (0.166 kg/kg; P = 0.32). Final live BW and carcass weight averaged 630.9 ± 34.99 and 374.1 ± 10.19 kg and were not affected by treatment (P = 0.73 and 0.65, respectively). Dose of HFCG did not affect carcass characteristics with average values of 7.0 mm for fat thickness (P = 0.46), 104 cm² for rib-eye area (P = 0.92), 476 for marbling score (P = 0.94), and 50.3% for retail cut yield (P = 0.62). In addition, HFCG did not affect quality grade (P = 0.38) or yield grade (P = 0.86). The present data suggests that the use of HFCG did not affect performance of finishing heifers or carcass quality on beef heifers regardless of dose.