Relationship of plasma glucose to performance and carcass traits in finishing cattle

Authors

H.J. LaBrune
D.J. Bindel
C.C. Coetzer
C.A. Löest
R.D. Hunter
James J. Higgins
James S. Drouillard

Keywords

Cattlemen's Day, 2000; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 00-287-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 850; Beef; Glucose; Finishing cattle

Abstract

Blood glucose levels of finishing cattle were measured between 3 and 30 days prior to slaughter and compared to performance and carcass traits. In trial 1, blood samples were obtained from 318 heifers at 2 hours postfeeding at 30 days before slaughter. Plasma glucose levels were correlated positively with fat thickness (P<.01) and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (P<.02). Trial 2 utilized 72 steers from which blood was collected at 15 hours postfeeding at 3 days before slaughter. Blood glucose was correlated positively with average daily gain (P<.01); dry matter intake (P<.01); hot carcass weight (P<.01); ribeye area (P<.01); fat thickness (P<.06); and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (P<.01). A third trial was conducted with 77 individually fed steers to determine if blood glucose levels could be used to predict finishing performance and carcass traits. Contrary to trials 1 and 2, plasma glucose did not reflect performance or carcass traits except marbling score (P<.03).

Recommended Citation

LaBrune, H.J.; Bindel, D.J.; Coetzer, C.C.; Löest, C.A.; Hunter, R.D.; Higgins, James J.; and Drouillard, James S. (2000) "Relationship of plasma glucose to performance and carcass traits in finishing cattle," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1800