Performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed different fat sources

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat tenderness of 36 crossbred steers averaging 14 months old and 320 kg body weight. The animals were fed high concentrate-based diets: control-without additional fat (CO); diet with 5% calcium salt of fatty acids (AG); and diet with 21% whole cottonseed (CA). Dry matter intake of AG treatment was lower (P=0,05)than CA, that differ from CO diet. No significant differences of treatments on daily weight gain and feed efficiency were observed. Blood urea nitrogen was greater (P=0,01) for CA treatment than AG treatment. Carcass dressing, rib eye area, fat thickness, kidney and pelvic fat, liver weight, pH and temperature did not show significant difference. No difference on water loss during cooking and tenderness measured by shear force at different aging times was detected. Diets with 5% calcium salt of fatty acids or 21% whole cottonseed can be used for feedlot with no change on animal performance or carcass characteristics.