Cattlemen's Day 2020

Research on beef cattle management, nutrition, and meat science at Kansas State University.


Introduction
The tallgrass prairie once extended from Indiana in the east, Kansas in the west, Canada in the north, and Texas in the south. Settlement of the prairie resulted in the conversion of native grasslands into farmland. Of the 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie that once existed, less than 4% of those acres remains today. The Kansas Flint Hills make up the largest contiguous portion of the remaining tallgrass prairie; this area is used primarily for cattle production. One of the challenges facing Flint Hills ranchers is the rapid degradation of native pastures by the noxious weed, sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). Sericea lespedeza was introduced to southeastern Kansas in the 1930s because of its perceived soil conservation properties. Since that time, the highly prolific plant has moved westward and invaded more than 960 square miles of grasslands in Kansas, most of which is located in the Flint Hills.
Traditionally, ranchers have applied annual spring-season prescribed fires to native tallgrass rangelands because of their ability to limit encroachment of trees and shrubs while subsequently boosting cattle performance. Unfortunately, this practice has resulted in numerous air-quality issues in downwind municipalities and has not limited the proliferation of sericea lespedeza. Recent research has indicated that shifting the timing of prescribed fire from spring to late summer or early fall provided comprehensive control of sericea lespedeza, and a significant motive for ranchers to evaluate alternative seasons for prescribed fire application. Although late-summer or early fall fires have been shown to successfully and affordably control sericea lespedeza, some ranchers remain hesitant to apply these techniques out of concerns over sacrificing cattle performance or negatively impacting native plant populations. At this time, no direct comparisons of stocker cattle performance are available for these prescribed fire regimes. The objective of our experiment was to document the effects of prescribed fire timing on stocker cattle performance, plant composition, and forage biomass annually over a six-year period. This manuscript reports the first complete year of our work. It is our hope that this project will generate the data necessary for ranchers to make well-informed management decisions about noxious weed control.

Experimental Procedures
Our study was conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit located northwest of Manhattan, KS. The Beef Stocker Unit is fenced into 18 pastures ranging from 30 to 75 acres in size. Pastures were grouped by watershed and each watershed assigned to one of three prescribed burning times (n = 6 pastures per treatment): early spring (April), mid-summer (August), or early fall (October). A permanent 328-foot transect was established in each pasture. Transects were marked with orange survey stakes and GPS coordinates were recorded. Botanical composition and basal cover were estimated utilizing the modified step-point method. Plant sampling began in June 2018 and burn treatments were applied prior to grazing in summer of 2019.
In year one of a six-year trial, yearling heifers (n = 360) were stocked at 250-lb live weight/acre and grazed from May 1 to August 1. Heifers were individually weighed on day 0 and randomly assigned to pastures. On day 90, cattle were individually weighed.
Pre-treatment standing forage biomass was measured using 2.7 square foot clipping frames placed at 32.8-foot intervals along each transect. Plant material was clipped to a height of 0.39 in and dried to a constant weight. A visual obstruction technique was used to estimate forage biomass before and after fire treatments were applied. These observations were collected at 3.28-foot intervals along each 328-foot transect. Root-carbohydrate flux was evaluated in three native warm season (C4) grasses (i.e., big bluestem, little bluestem, and Indian grass), and one leguminous, native forb (i.e., purple prairie clover). Individual roots and rhizomes were collected, washed, separated from parent plants, and dried. Root samples were analyzed for both total starch and total water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations.

Results and Discussion
Following fire-treatment applications (i.e., August of 2018, October of 2018, and April of 2019), total body weight gain during the summer of 2019 was slightly improved (P = 0.02; Table 1) in the spring-burn treatment compared to summer-and fall-burn treatments. Heifers that grazed spring-burned pastures gained 29 and 21 lb more body weight than heifers that grazed summer-and fall-burned pastures, respectively. No difference (P = 0.37; Table 1) in total body weight gain was observed between summer and fall treatments. In addition, the average daily gain was greater (P = 0.02; Table 1) for heifers that grazed the spring treatment compared to those that grazed summer and fall treatments.
Initial forage biomass did not differ (P = 0.12; Table 1) between treatments; however, after fire-treatment applications, standing forage biomass was greater (P < 0.01; Table  1) in the summer-burn treatment compared with the spring-and fall-burn treatments. Pastures burned in the summer produced 493 and 300 more pounds of dry biomass per acre compared with pastures burned in fall and spring, respectively. The elevated forage biomass observed in the summer treatment may have been due to the presence of standing dead plant material. When fire was applied in the summer treatment, regrowth occurred before the first frost and standing dead plant material was present at the beginning of the following grazing season. Forage biomass was measured using a visual obstruction technique, which included standing dead plant material in the biomass estimate. Consumption of this material may have contributed to the reduction in cattle growth performance observed in the summer fire treatment. Heifers grazing summerburned pastures had an increased opportunity to consume standing dead plant material, which is known to have poor nutritive value relative to actively-growing plants.
Litter cover on the soil surface was greater (P = 0.04; Table 2) in the summer-burn treatment compared with the spring-burn treatment, whereas pastures burned in the fall were intermediate. Conversely, bare soil tended to be less (P = 0.08; Table 2) in the summer burn treatment compared to spring, and fall burned pastures were intermediate. Increased bare soil has been associated with increased soil temperature and earlier plant growth but can lead also to increased water runoff and soil moisture loss.
When basal vegetation cover was evaluated, no differences (P = 0.42; Table 2) were detected between treatments; however, differences in plant composition were apparent. Spring-and summer-burned pastures had a greater (P = 0.03; Table 3) native grass cover compared with fall-burned pastures. In addition, summer fire was associated with less (P = 0.05; Table 3) introduced grass species cover than fall fire, whereas spring fire was intermediate. Cover attributable to warm-and cool-season grasses did not differ (P ≥ 0.12) between fire treatments. Total forb cover, native forb cover, introduced forb cover, and perennial forb cover, likewise, did not differ (P ≥ 0.24; Table 3) between treatments. Conversely, annual forb cover was greatest (P = 0.04; Table 3) in the fall fire treatment, least in the spring fire treatment and intermediate in the summer fire treatment.
Root starch and total water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations in big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass, and purple prairie clover did not differ (P ≥ 0.23; Table 4,  Table 5) between treatments. The lack of difference in root carbohydrate reserves between treatments was likely an indication that the timing of burning had little impact on growth potential of native plants.

Implications
The first year of data from our six-year study was interpreted to indicate that prescribed fire timing influenced stocker cattle performance and was associated with small changes in range-plant composition; however, fire timing did not affect root carbohydrate reserves of key native forage plants. Beef producers are encouraged to compare potential revenue shortfalls resulting from the declines in yearling growth performance reported here with the cost of chemical methods for sericea lespedeza control.  Within rows, means with unlike superscripts differ (P ≤ 0.05). Within rows, means with unlike superscripts differ (P ≤ 0.05).

Introduction
Cattle producers are considering alternative methods to reduce the use of synthetic products in cattle production, and to reduce the feeding of antibiotics, in response to growing preferences from consumers. Essential oils/spices have been offered as a potential method to control insects in cattle (Showler, 2017), alter rumen microbial population (Elcoso et al., 2019), and replace feed antibiotics in feedlot diets (Araujo et al., 2019), all of which may increase cattle gains. There have been varying responses to cattle gains based on type of essential oil within feedlot diets, with a greater majority reporting similar gains as control diets. In a grazing study, no improvements in gains were observed when either hand-feeding or offering as free-choice a cinnamon and garlic essential oil product (Beck et al., 2017). To our knowledge, there are limited data on cattle gains while grazing pastures, thus showing the importance of evaluating essential oils on stocker cattle gains is to be investigated.
Previous research from Kansas State University found that burning pasture in April results in about 20 lb more gain per grazing steer than burning a pasture in March (summarized by Owensby, 2010). The state of Kansas has been under scrutiny because high smoke production in April creates smoky conditions that drift to large metropolitan areas. Extending the burning season can reduce smoke load. If March burning produces gains and plant population changes that are not too different from the results when burning in April, it would provide the opportunity to develop a smoke management plan. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to evaluate management practices that may impact stocker steer gains on a 90-day double stocking grazing system in tallgrass native range. Specific objectives include evaluating (1) timing of burning, (2) addition of spices in a complete free-choice mineral, and (3) determination if the effects are additive.

Experimental Procedures
The study was conducted at the Bressner Research Range Unit in Yates Center, KS. The unit consists of eight pastures on 625 acres of tallgrass native prairie. Two management strategies were evaluated to determine effects on stocker steer gains in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement.  (2) the same base mineral with the addition of spices (spice treatment; Table 1). The spices included were powdered forms of oils from garlic and the product Solace (proprietary blend of spices; Wildcat Feeds LLC, Topeka, KS). Minerals were formulated for a 4 oz/head/day intake and offered fresh weekly at 125% of calculated optimal pasture intake.
Two hundred eighty-one steers (644 ± 63 lb) were weighed individually on April 26, 2019, and assigned to pasture randomly based on order through the chute (initial weights not different, P > 0.24). Cattle were weighed at the end of the study on July 23, 2019, for a total of 87 days of grazing. Twenty-four head were not included in final data set because at one point during the study period they were found in the incorrect treatment pasture or in the neighbor's pasture. Therefore, only cattle that were known to stay within their respective treatment the entire 87 days were used for analysis.

Results and Discussion
Average daily gain was not different when evaluating the four treatment combinations (P = 0.17; Figure 1). An average daily gain advantage of 0.33 lb/day was observed for steers grazing pastures burned in April and this resulted in an average of 20 lb more weight coming off grass (Table 2). This is consistent with other studies conducted at Kansas State University (summarized by Owensby, 2010). There was no difference (P = 0.23) in steer average daily gain based on type of mineral consumed, however, independent of pasture burning time, the calves on the spice mineral tended to average 19 lb more than those on the control mineral (P = 0.10; Table 3). Even though the calves started at the same weight, these heavier final weights show positive managerial options with burning pasture in April and offering the spice mineral. In contrast to what was observed in an Arkansas and Oklahoma study with Beck et al. (2017), the spices used in this study tended to increase weight of steers as compared to control.

Beef Cattle Management
Based on 2019 prices, the spice mineral was $200 more per ton than the control mineral. This added a total of $2.71 per head to the feeding cost of steers. The added 19 pounds of calf weight, with August 2019 prices ($135/cwt), resulted in $26.65 more sale value per calf than calves on the control mineral. This was close to a 10-fold return on investment of the spice mineral.

Implications
Burning pastures in April results in a greater calf gain than burning in March, while the addition of spices to a free-choice complete mineral shows promise as a cost-effective method to increase gains in stocker steers on tallgrass native range.
Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.

Introduction
Previous work at Kansas State University and North Dakota State University has shown that shifting the time of feed delivery from morning to evening hours for cold stressed growing calves can result in greater feed efficiency. The suspected mode of action behind this is shifting the heat of fermentation from daytime hours to nighttime hours, when ambient temperatures tend to be lower. It is hypothesized that this heat helps to maintain body temperature so the animal uses less of the energy from digestion to meet maintenance requirements. It is not known to what extent feed efficiency can be improved when limit feeding cold stressed growing calves later in the day. Further, producer interest has been expressed in bunk line sharing. This management practice provides that two groups of calves eat out of the same bunk, and are rotated daily to a holding pen to allow the other group to eat. This maximizes infrastructure, as limit fed cattle tend to consume their allocated feed within several hours of delivery.

Experimental Procedures
A total of 377 crossbred steers of Texas, Oklahoma, and Idaho origin, averaging 638 lb were allocated to pens based on weight. Animals were previously vaccinated for viral and clostridial diseases. Thirty-two pens with feed bunks were used (8 for each treatment) and 8 holding pens were utilized. Each group of steers consisted of nine head. Fourteen steers on the higher end of the weight spectrum and three on the lower end were removed from the research population. The remaining 360 steers were blocked by weight into four size groups and randomly assigned to groups, which were randomly allocated to one of five treatments. The five treatments all received a diet formulated to provide 60 Mcal net energy for gain/100 lb of dry matter and all were limit fed with a target of 2.0% of their body weight in dry matter intake. The experiment consisted of one treatment fed in the morning (AM), one in the evening (PM), one fed half of their feed in the morning and half in the evening (50/50), and two additional treatments (Shuttle AM, Shuttle PM) that were fed in the same pen yet were rotated twice daily utilizing a holding pen. This scheme allowed for half of the calves to be fed in the morning and half to be fed in the evening, doubling the use of the pen and bunk line. Pen was the experimental unit. The steers were fed their respective diets once daily at approximately 0800 for morning fed calves and 1600 for evening fed calves for 77 days. Individual animal weights were taken on day -1 (allocation), day 0 (initial processing), day 64/65 (blood sampling), and day 77 (final weights). Plasma glucose was obtained individually on day 64 and 65 and frozen for later analysis. Pen weights were collected on days 0, 21, 28, 35, 56, 63, 70, and 77. Feed delivery was adjusted based on daily refusals while calves were adjusting to ration, and later bunks were checked daily to ensure total feed consumption. Bunk and individual ingredient samples were taken weekly.

Results and Discussion
Over the entire 77-day trial, average daily gain for calves fed in the evening and/or assigned to share a bunk line was not different (P > 0.95) compared to calves fed in the morning and not rotated daily (Table 2), although there was a difference at day 35 (P > 0.01). Dry matter intake did not tend to be different (P > 0.77) between treatments over the entire 77-day trial. Feed efficiency was not greater in calves fed in the evening nor shuffled between pens (P > 0.98), but a difference was seen at day 35 (P > 0.03). No numerical difference was observed in blood glucose levels.

Implications
When limit feeding cold stressed growing calves, no statistically significant differences were observed with the performance data of the calves over the entire 77-day trial. Significant effects on day 35 average daily gain and feed efficiency may potentially be explained by colder weather in January and February ( Figure 1). There were no negative observations regarding cattle health or behavior with feeding calves at different times of the day, nor with utilizing one pen by two groups of calves at different times of the day. Further aspects of evening feeding and bunk line sharing should be considered by a producer, such as labor needs, equipment wear, and infrastructure requirements.

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.
Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.

Introduction
Dairy-type animals have a significant role in United States beef production. In 2018, fed dairy steers contributed 12.6% or 3.37 billion pounds to beef production (Boetel, 2019). Dairy carcasses often receive high quality grades, are uniform and consistent, and provide a year-around supply of beef (Andersen, 2019). The finishing process for dairytype steers, however, has common challenges compared with beef steers. Challenges include poorer feed efficiency, a lower dressing percentage, gut health issues, as well as carcasses that are light-muscled and often too large (Andersen, 2019). For these reasons, dairy-type steers are often undesirable for feedlots and packers. The objective was to determine relative value of Holstein feeder steer lots compared to steer lots of other

Experimental Procedures
Information describing factors about lots sold through a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX) was obtained from the auction service in an electronic format. These data were collected for lots of feeder steers sold from 2010 through 2018.
The descriptive pieces of information that were available for each lot of feeder steers were auction year, area of the United States where lot originated, breed description of lot, health protocol administered to the lot, the amount of weight variation within the lot, frame score of the lot, flesh score of the lot, implant status, source and age verification, freight adjustment status, whether or not the steers had horns, lot size (both linear and quadratic effects), base weight of the lot (both linear and quadratic effects), the number of days between auction and forecasted delivery dates, and sale price of the lot ($/cwt). A multiple-regression model was developed using a backwards selection procedure to quantify the effects of factors on the sale price of feeder steer lots. The model was adjusted for the random effect of auction date nested within auction year. The specific and current requirements of each of the video auction service's special health and management programs are available at www.SuperiorLivestock.com.

Results and Discussion
Data were analyzed from 14,075 lots of feeder steers sold via 211 video auctions through Superior Livestock Auction from 2010 through 2018. Average weight and number of steers in lots analyzed were 800.8 ± 111.5 lb and 121.1 ± 110.3 head, respectively (Table 1).
From 2010 through 2018, English, English crossed lots sold for the greatest (P < 0.05) sale price ($152.39/cwt) ( In each three-year increment, there was a greater relative price discount for Holstein steers than the previous increment. Evaluation of the average sale price was based on a percentage discount revealed in lower market prices. Lots of Holstein feeders were discounted a greater percentage than when market prices are higher. From 2010-2012, the average sale price for lots of feeder steers was $123.21/cwt and lots of Holstein feeder steers were discounted 26.9% (Table 3). From 2013-2015, the average sale price was $176.62/cwt and lots of Holstein feeder steers were discounted 24.3%. From 2016-2018, the average sale price was $139.13/cwt with a 33.2% discount for lots of Holstein feeder steers.
As the supply for beef increases, buyers have the ability to be more selective with their purchases. In early 2017, a major packer announced their decision to no longer harvest Holstein steers. Industry decisions like this influence many segments of beef production, and likely is related to the relative price discounts of Holstein feeder steer lots compared with steer lots of other breed descriptions.
The discount for Holstein lots and the lessening interest in feeding dairy-type steers has resulted in many dairy producers utilizing beef semen in lower quality dairy cows and heifers. Domestic beef semen sales drastically increased by 59% from 2017 to 2018, primarily as a result of use in dairy cows and heifers (Geiger, 2019). Several major semen companies have created programs designed to identify bulls to breed to dairy cows and heifers.

Implications
The relative price discount for Holstein feeder steer lots compared with other breed descriptions appears to have increased during this time frame, and thus is likely indicating lessening interest in the feedlot sector to feed Holstein steers to harvest.

Introduction
Literature regarding factors that influence the sale price of bred heifers and bred cows is typically limited to analyses within a defined region or breed composition. Descriptive information about bred females is often provided to buyers across numerous marketing venues. From physical descriptors, management factors, and lot characteristics, comprehending how traits have the potential to cause variation in sale price is imperative in allowing producers to make sound and informed purchasing decisions. Continued research and understanding of the value placed on bred female traits may prove advantageous to producers throughout various regions of the United States.

Experimental Procedures
Information describing factors about lots of bred heifers and bred cows marketed and sold nationwide through a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Video Auction, Fort Worth, TX) were obtained from the auction service in an electronic format. These data were collected for all lots of bred heifers offered for sale from 2010 through 2018 and all lots of bred cows offered for sale from 2011 through 2018. Two separate multiple regression models were developed using a backwards selection procedure to investigate various factors influencing sale price of both bred heifers and bred cows. Quantifiable factors within both models included sale year, weight (linear and quadratic), region of the United States where the lot originated, breed description, variation in weight within the lot, origin (home-raised or purchased), frame score, flesh score, and size of the lot (linear and quadratic).

Results and Discussion
Data were collected from 1,870 lots of bred heifers over a nine-year period (2010-2018) and 1,237 lots of bred cows over an eight-year period (2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018). Sale year was a significant factor influencing price within both models. Bred heifers sold for the greatest (P < 0.05) price in 2014, compared to all other years. In 2014 and 2015, bred cows sold for similar (P > 0.05) prices, but at prices greater (P < 0.05) than all other years. For both bred heifers and bred cows, those lots categorized as Red Angus sired sold for the greatest (P < 0.05) price, compared to all other breeds. Region of the United States affected bred heifer sale price, with the greatest (P < 0.05) price paid for bred heifers originating from the North Central region. Additional lot characteristics that significantly influenced price within both models included weight (linear), frame score, and flesh score. Non-significant factors for bred heifers were weight variation within the lot, lot size (linear and quadratic), and weight (quadratic). Non-significant factors for bred cows included lot size (quadratic), origin (home-raised or purchased), and region where the lot originated. A complete list of factors affecting the sale price of bred heifers and bred cows are shown in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.

Implications
Continued research and understanding of the characteristics and factors that influence the sale price of breeding cattle across the United States may provide insight to cow-calf producers.

Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the Red Angus Association of America for their support in conducting this research.   In order to prevent multicollinearity between the linear and quadratic lot size terms, the number of heifers in each lot was centered at zero by subtracting the mean lot size of all the lots (47.5 head) from the lot size of each lot. k In order to prevent multicollinearity between the linear and quadratic base weight terms, the base weight of each lot was centered at zero by subtracting the mean base weight of all the lots (1,000.7 lb) from the base weight of each lot.  In order to prevent multicollinearity between the linear and quadratic lot size terms, the number of cows in each lot was centered at zero by subtracting the mean lot size of all the lots (43.6 head) from the lot size of each lot.

Introduction
The benefits associated with the incorporation of value-added health protocols are thoroughly understood. The practice of preconditioning aims to reduce the risk of bovine respiratory disease, while increasing calf immunity and minimizing stress around weaning. The advantages associated with this increased level of management, and the value that accompanies the practice are well established. While price premiums are evident, it is imperative to consider that the value of a vaccination program may be dependent on the location in which a lot of calves originate.
While extensive research shows that preconditioning programs provide price premiums on a national basis, to our knowledge the effect of varying levels of management throughout different regions of the United States has not been investigated. Differences in local climate conditions, diverse management and marketing strategies, and variation in trucking distance are regional factors that can influence the health protocol calves may receive. These concerns suggest the potential for observed differences in the relative value associated with various preconditioning programs across numerous regions of the country.

Experimental Procedures
Information describing factors about lots marketed and sold through a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX) were obtained from the auction service in an electronic format. These data were collected for lots of beef calves offered for sale during summer sales from 2010 through 2018. The specific and current requirements of each of the video auction's recognized vaccination protocols (VAC 34 and 34+, VAC 45 and 45+, and VAC 24) are available at www.SuperiorLivestock.com. Calves not qualifying for a defined health program were categorized into one of two groups: lots that were weaned and received at least one dose of a viral vaccination prior to shipment from the farm or ranch of origin (Weaned: viral vaccinated), and those lots that were non-weaned and received at least one dose of a viral vaccination (Non-weaned: viral vaccinated).

Results and Discussion
There were 43,242 total lots of beef calves fitting the study criteria. Within the analysis including all four regions, lots qualifying for VAC 45 or 45+ sold for the greatest price (P < 0.05) compared to all other health protocols. In the West Coast, lots qualifying for VAC 45 or 45+ and Weaned: viral vaccinated sold for similar (P > 0.05) prices, but at prices greater (P < 0.05) than calves administered all other health protocols within that region. Within the Southeast region, lots qualifying for VAC 45 or 45+ and Weaned: viral vaccinated sold for similar (P > 0.05) prices, and again at prices greater (P < 0.05) than calves in all other health programs. In both the North Central and South Central regions, lots meeting the requirements for VAC 45 or 45+ sold for the greatest (P < 0.05) price in their respective regions. Specific premiums for health protocols within respective regions can be seen in Table 1.
Differences in the sale price of calves eligible for numerous health programs indicates that the relative value of a calf health program recognized by buyers fluctuates between regions. As distance between origin of calves sold from the most concentrated area of cattle feeding in the northern plains became greater, price premiums concerning health protocols increased. This finding suggests evident advantages and premiums associated with vaccination programs for those areas located farther away from the plains, as calves transported farther may be at greater risk of health issues.

Implications
While there are clear price advantages associated with vaccination and weaning management strategies across all regions, information regarding premiums within specific areas may prove valuable to producers from these regions.

Introduction
Recent studies conducted to evaluate the alpha amylase enzyme expression trait in Enogen Feed corn (Syngenta) found improvements in feed efficiency of growing and finishing cattle when fed wet corn gluten feed or wet distillers grains. Metabolism work with finishing cattle has shown that cattle fed Enogen Feed corn are able to utilize more starch from the corn grain, thus providing more available energy for gain. The objectives of this study were to evaluate digestibility parameters of growing cattle when fed Enogen Feed corn.

Experimental Procedures
Seven ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (body weight = 437 ± 22 lb) were used in an incomplete 4 × 4 Latin rectangle design to determine diet digestibility and digestion characteristics. The study consisted of four consecutive 15-day periods. There were 10 days for adaptation to diet changes, fecal samples were collected on d 11 through d 14, and ruminal fluid was sampled on d 15. The four experimental diets were formulated to provide 51 Mcal net energy for gain/100 lb dry matter and included two varieties of corn, Enogen versus yellow; and two methods of corn processing, dry-rolled versus whole-corn. Animals were housed in individual outdoor pens with ad libitum access to water. Steers were fed their respective diets once daily at approximately 1000 hours to ensure ad libitum intakes. Total mixed ration samples were collected on days 10 through 14 and composited for each period for analysis. On days 4 through 14, 10 g chromium (III) oxide was top-dressed and hand mixed into each animal's ration as a marker to calculate digestibility. Refusals were collected on days 11 through 15 and composited for each animal for each period. Fecal samples were also collected Beef Cattle Nutrition on days 11 through 14, taken from the rectum of the steers every 8 hours with the sampling time increasing by 2 hours each day so that every 2-hour interval after feeding was represented over 24 hours. On day 15 of each period, ruminal fluid samples were sampled at four different locations in the rumen at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours after feeding. Following the 0 hour sampling, 3 g of cobalt-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (0.4 g cobalt) dissolved in 200 mL of deionized water, was dosed into the rumen to determine liquid passage rate.

Results and Discussion
There was no effect for corn processing other than a small tendency for pH to be lower for dry-rolled corn (P < 0.15). Liquid passage rate was higher for yellow corn-fed calves (P < 0.01), which explains the tendency for dry matter intake to be highest for yellow/ dry-rolled corn (P < 0.11). Total tract ruminal organic matter and dry matter digestibility were higher for Enogen-fed calves (P < 0.04). Ruminal acetate concentration was lower for Enogen-fed calves (P < 0.05) and as a percent of total volatile fatty acids, valerate tended to increase for Enogen treatments (P < 0.10). A tendency was observed for total volatile fatty acids to be greatest for yellow/dry-rolled corn and Enogen/wholecorn (P < 0.14). There was also a tendency for ruminal acetate concentration to be least for Enogen/dry-rolled corn and greatest for yellow/dry-rolled corn (P < 0.06). A corn × processing interaction revealed a tendency for Enogen/dry-rolled corn to have the highest percent isobutyrate (P < 0.07) and valerate (P < 0.09) and for yellow/dry-rolled corn to have the least. Overall, total tract ruminal organic matter and dry matter digestibility improved by 8% and 9%, respectively, when feeding Enogen Feed corn. Digestibility parameters reveal that feeding Enogen/whole-corn results in equal or improved digestion as opposed to feeding dry-rolled corn. For growing calves, processing Enogen corn might not be necessary to improve digestion.

Implications
When fed in an ad libitum fashion to growing steers, Enogen Feed corn improves total tract ruminal organic matter and dry matter digestibility by 8% and 9%, respectively. There were no negative observations regarding cattle health or behavior with the feeding of Enogen Feed corn. Based on the results of this study, dry matter and organic matter of Enogen Feed corn are digested to a greater extent, thereby improving feed efficiency in growing calves.

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.
Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.  Calculated values from samples collected at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 18 hours after feeding.
To determine if supplemental methionine could improve health and performance in newly received growing cattle, a group of 384 crossbred heifers (489 ± 10.9 lb) of Tennessee origin were received in four truckloads (blocks) over nine days. The day following arrival (day 0), cattle were stratified within block by arrival weight to one of eight pens containing 12 heifers each. Cattle were limit-fed a by-product and cornbased ration at 2.2% of body weight, once daily for 45 days. Within blocks, pens were assigned to one of two treatments: 0 (control) or 10 grams/day Smartamine M as a source of ruminally protected methionine. Pen weights were measured weekly and used to adjust feed offered the following week. Individual heifer body weights and tail vein blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, and 45. Plasma haptoglobin was measured to assess inflammation. Incidences of morbidity and mortality were low. Between days

Introduction
Methionine supplementation has been shown to improve immune function and reduce inflammation in transition dairy cows. High-risk receiving cattle are also subjected to a wide variety of stressors, such as comingling, transportation, disease exposure, and low feed intake. Because methionine supplementation helps to mitigate stress-induced immune responses in dairy cows, it can likely provide similar benefits to receiving cattle as well. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the ability of supplemental methionine to improve health, inflammation status, and performance of receiving cattle.

Experimental Procedures
A group of 384 crossbred heifers (initial body weight 489 ± 10.9 lb) were purchased from auction markets in Tennessee and transported to the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit, Manhattan, KS, in four truckloads over nine days from October 4 to October 13, 2018. Heifers were blocked by load and stratified by individual arrival body weight within a block to pens containing 12 heifers each. Within block, pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments creating 16 pens per treatment, for a total of 32 pens. Experimental diets (Table 1) were offered at 2.2% of body weight daily (dry matter basis) and contained either 0 (control) or 10 grams/day Smartamine M (Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA), a ruminally protected methionine product. The 10 grams/ day Smartamine M provided 6 grams/day supplemental metabolizable methionine. Smartamine M was delivered in the diet as a mixture with dry-rolled corn.
On day 0, heifers were vaccinated for common viral and clostridial pathogens, treated for internal and external parasites, and received Draxxin (1.1 mg tulathromycin/lb body weight). On day 14, heifers were revaccinated for viral respiratory diseases. Individual body weights were measured at processing (day 0), revaccination (day 14), and the conclusion of the trial (day 45). Pen weights were measured weekly using a pen scale on days 14, 21, 28, 35, and 45. Weekly pen weights were used to calculate feed offered for the following week. Animals were fed once daily at 7:00 a.m. using a Roto-Mix feed wagon.
Heifers were observed twice daily for clinical signs of illness. Animals showing signs of morbidity were treated according to protocol of the K-State Beef Stocker Unit. Prior to feeding on days 0, 14, and 45 a tail vein blood sample was collected from each animal and plasma harvested. Plasma samples were analyzed for haptoglobin concentration as a biomarker of inflammation.

Results and Discussion
Performance data are presented in Table 2. Although there were some statistical differences between treatments for dry matter intake, this was a result of differences in dietary dry matter among treatments as analyzed from weekly feed samples collected on days 0-14, and dry matter intake did not differ practically between groups. No differences in body weight (P ≥ 0.65), average daily gain (P ≥ 0.52), or gain-to-feed ratio (P ≥ 0.28) were observed at any time throughout the trial.
Very low incidences of morbidity and mortality were observed for this trial; data were not analyzed statistically (Table 3). A total of eight heifers were treated once (2.1%) for respiratory illness, five from the Smartamine M treatment (2.6%) and three from the control treatment (1.6%). Two previously treated animals died during the trial, one from each treatment, resulting in total and treatment mortality rates of 0.52%.
For plasma haptoglobin, an interaction between dietary treatment and linear effect of day was observed (P = 0.05) (Figure 1). Over the duration of the trial, haptoglobin levels for the Smartamine M treatment group remained relatively stable. Control cattle had numerically lower haptoglobin on day 0, which then linearly increased over the duration of the trial. It appears that supplemental methionine mitigated the increase in plasma haptoglobin over time in the Smartamine M cattle.

Implications
Our research determined that supplemental methionine mitigated acute phase protein response in supplemented cattle, suggesting a reduction in systemic inflammation.

Beef Cattle Nutrition
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Introduction
Creatine serves as an energy source for muscles by storing energy in high-energy phosphate bonds. Creatine is endogenously synthesized in the liver through the methylation of guanidinoacetic acid, the precursor to creatine that can be synthesized in the kidney. Both creatine and guanidinoacetic acid can also be absorbed from the diet. The requirement for creatine is considerable in growing animals, and its provision in the diet has the potential to increase performance. Production of guanidinoacetic acid is typically the rate-limiting step in the endogenous synthesis of creatine by the body; therefore, supplementation of creatine or creatine precursors such as guanidinoacetic acid can be beneficial to increase creatine in the body. Previous studies have shown increases in growth and yield of breast meat in chickens and muscle mass in humans when creatine was supplemented to the diet. In recent years, creatine use as a dietary supplement has been widespread among athletes to maximize exercise performance.
Methionine acts as a methyl donor and typically is the most limiting amino acid for beef and dairy cows. Although cattle might benefit from increased creatine synthesis, the increased synthesis of creatine will increase methyl group consumption, which might lead to methyl group deficiency in the animal. Therefore, an adequate supply of methyl groups might improve the benefits of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on growth, because methionine also has an important function in protein synthesis. However, to our knowledge, there are little data available about creatine utilization by cattle and no data are available regarding the ability of guanidinoacetic acid to increase the lean growth rate of cattle. In a preliminary study with guanidinoacetic acid using growing Holstein heifers, we observed that large doses of guanidinoacetic acid could be provided to cattle without any signs of toxicity under conditions where methionine was not likely to be limiting. This research evaluated the effects of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation under conditions where methionine was limiting. The purpose of this study was to determine whether guanidinoacetic acid supplementation could improve lean tissue deposition (growth) in a model where cattle were purposefully maintained under conditions of a methionine deficiency.

Experimental Procedures
Seven ruminally-cannulated Holstein steers (355-lb initial body weight) were housed in metabolism crates to allow complete collection of feces and urine for calculation of nitrogen retention. Cattle had free access to water and were limit-fed twice daily. All steers received 6 lb of dry matter daily of a diet designed to provide deficient amounts of methionine. The diet contained 82% soybean hulls, 8.5% wheat straw, 4.2% molasses, and 5.1% of a vitamin/mineral premix. The methionine deficiency was reinforced by supplementing energy via volatile fatty acid infusions into the rumen (0.66 lb/day) and glucose infusions into the abomasum (0.73 lb/day). Both infusions increase energy supply without increasing methionine supply. Additionally, all steers received an abomasal infusion of all essential amino acids except methionine to ensure that amino acids other than methionine did not limit performance.
The experiment included six 10-day periods, with 4 days for initial adaptation and 6 days for sample collection, and each animal received one of the 6 different treatments in each period. The 6 treatments were supplementation of 0, 7.5, or 15 g/day of guanidinoacetic acid each in the presence or absence of 6 g/day supplemental L-methionine. Methionine was included in the treatment structure because it provides the methyl group used for the conversion of guanidinoacetic acid to creatine. Urine and feces samples were collected daily from days 5 through 10 of each period to measure nitrogen retention, and blood samples were collected from the jugular vein from each steer on days 6, 8, and 10 of each period for analyses of creatine. On day 10 of each period, jugular catheters were placed for infusion of labeled methionine to allow measurement of whole body methionine methyl flux.

Results and Discussion
Nitrogen retention, a measure of lean tissue growth, was significantly elevated by methionine supplementation (Figure 1; P < 0.01); this response to methionine was expected because methionine was deficient by design. Responses to guanidinoacetic acid for lean tissue deposition were dependent on the methionine status of the steers. When methionine was supplemented to steers, there was an increase in nitrogen retention when 15 g/day of guanidinoacetic acid was provided. The lack of a nitrogen retention response to 7.5 g/day of guanidinoacetic acid might have been due to an offsetting decrease in endogenous production of guanidinoacetic acid, which was expected to be near 7.5 g/day. Therefore, at the supplementation level greater than endogenous production (i.e., 15 g/day), the increase in total guanidinoacetic acid/creatine availability seemed to improve animal production. In contrast, supplemental guanidinoacetic acid did not improve nitrogen retention when no methionine was supplemented (Figure 1). When methionine was not supplemented (i.e., methionine was deficient), the lack of response to guanidinoacetic acid might have been due to the guanidinoacetic acid consuming methionine for the production of creatine. Under conditions of a poor methionine status, increases in creatine production may not be able to improve cattle growth. These observations provide a starting point for further research on the effects of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on increasing lean tissue deposition in growing cattle.
By increasing the supply of guanidinoacetic acid, plasma creatine concentrations increased linearly (Figure 2; P < 0.01). The increases in plasma creatine in response to guanidinoacetic acid supplementation can be attributed to conversion of guanidinoacetic acid to creatine in cattle. Steers supplemented with methionine had lower concentrations of plasma creatine. This may be attributable to enhanced tissue growth in response to methionine, which could lead to an increased uptake of creatine into muscle.
The consumption of methyl groups from methionine ( Figure 3) was increased by guanidinoacetic acid supplementation when no supplemental methionine was provided, suggesting that the guanidinoacetic acid increased use of methionine to provide methyl groups for creatine synthesis. However, the flux of methionine methyl groups was not affected by guanidinoacetic acid supplementation when supplemental methionine was provided. This may be because the steers receiving supplemental methionine had enough readily available methyl groups from the supplemental methionine to prevent creatine synthesis from being a major drain on the body's methyl group supplies.

Implications
Supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid (15 g/day) in the presence of supplemental methyl groups (as methionine) tended to increase nitrogen retention, demonstrating that tissue growth was stimulated by post-ruminal guanidinoacetic acid supplementation. The growth-enhancing effect of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation indicates a direct means of increasing beef production, although further research is required to confirm benefits.
Supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid elevated plasma creatine concentration, demonstrating that guanidinoacetic acid supplementation can be an effective way to increase creatine supply to cattle. Supplementation of methionine decreased plasma creatine concentration, perhaps indicating that the greater tissue growth in response to methionine supplementation resulted in increased muscle creatine uptake.
In the absence of supplemental methyl groups, supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid increased methionine methyl group flux, suggesting that guanidinoacetic acid might increase methionine methyl group utilization for creatine synthesis. In contrast, when methionine was supplemented, methionine methyl group flux was not affected by supplementation with guanidinoacetic acid.

Introduction
In the U.S., meat discounted or discarded due to discoloration accounts for 15% of meat loss, leading to revenue losses up to $1 billion for the industry (Smith et al., 2000). As little as 20% discoloration is sufficient for consumers to reject meat (Djenane et al., 2001). A study by Buzby et al. (2014) estimated that 1.3 million tons of meat is not being utilized at the retail level. The need for quantitative, objective, fast, non-destructive, non-invasive methods to predict freshness has risen in the past decade. Bioelectrical impedance analysis has been studied as a potential technology to assess quality attributes of fresh meat. It is well documented that fresh meat has higher bioelectrical impedance values due to decreased extracellular fluid, allowing the flow of electric current. Conversely, increased extracellular fluid leads to lower bioelectrical impedance values due to membrane damage, resulting in poor water holding capacity. Meat scientists have reported bioelectrical impedance as an effective technology to assess carcass composition, aging, and post-mortem changes in muscle cell membranes. At the carcass level, bioelectrical impedance has been shown to be highly correlated to fat and water content, salable yield, fat trim, and marbling scores. Slaughter plant location, types of breed, and sex had an impact on impedance measurements. The objective of this study Meat Science was to evaluate the efficacy of using surface and internal bioelectrical impedance to assess beef longissimus lumborum shelf-life during 15 days of simulated retail display.

Experimental Procedures
The experiment was designed as a split-plot with loin as the whole-plot and paired steaks as the sub-plot. Display day was treated as the sub-plot treatment. Postmortem age time and display day were treated as fixed effects. Beef strip loins (n = 18; Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications #180) with a postmortem age of 27, 34, or 37 days were obtained from three commercial processors. Loins were fabricated into 12 1-inch thick steaks (n = 216). Steaks were subdivided into 6 consecutively cut pairs and pairs were randomly assigned to one of six display days: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15.
For all pairs, one steak was allocated to microbiological analysis and pH and the paired steak for bioelectrical impedance analysis, objective color assessment, proximate composition, and lipid oxidation using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method. In addition, surface bioelectrical impedance and internal bioelectrical impedance assessment were compared. Steaks were packaged on Styrofoam trays with a moisture absorbent pad, overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film, and displayed under fluorescent lighting at 32-40°F in coffin-style retail cases.

Results and Discussion
There was a postmortem age × display day interaction (P < 0.05) for surface bioelectrical impedance (Figure 1). From day 0 to 12 of display, steaks aged 27 days had higher (P < 0.05) surface bioelectrical impedance values than steaks aged 34 and 37 days. On day 15 of display, steaks aged 34 days had 22% higher (P < 0.05) surface bioelectrical impedance values than steaks aged 37 days, but had similar (P > 0.05) values compared to steaks aged 27 days. There was no postmortem age × display day interaction (P < 0.05) for internal bioelectrical impedance values; however, an effect on postmortem age and display day was found (P < 0.05). Steaks aged 27 days had 17% higher internal bioelectrical impedance values (P < 0.05) than at 37 days, but were similar (P > 0.05) to steaks aged 34 days ( Figure 2). For all postmortem aging times, day 0 had the lowest (P < 0.05) internal bioelectrical impedance values among all display days ( Figure 3). Day 3 had the next lowest internal bioelectrical impedance (P < 0.05) and was 8% higher than day 0. Day 6 internal bioelectrical impedance was 16% higher (P < 0.05) than day 3, but similar (P > 0.05) to day 9 and day 12. Internal bioelectrical impedance was similar (P > 0.05) for steaks displayed for 12 and 15 days.
Covariance component was smaller in internal bioelectrical impedance than surface bioelectrical impedance. There was no postmortem age × display day interaction (P > 0.05) for a* (redness) and b* (blueness) values; however, there was an interaction for L* (lightness) values. On display day 0, steaks aged 27 days were 6% lighter (P < 0.05) than steaks aged 34 or 37 days, but on display day 15 all samples were similar (P > 0.05) in lightness. Postmortem age had no effect (P > 0.05) on L*; however, an effect on a* and b* was found (P < 0.05). Steaks aged 27 days had higher (P < 0.05) a* and b* values by 12 and 7%, respectively, compared to other postmortem aging times. For aerobic plate count populations, there was a postmortem age × display day interaction (P < 0.05). Steaks aged 27 days had the lowest (P < 0.05) aerobic plate count popu-lation on display day 0 with 2.3 log colony forming units/g in comparison to steaks aged 34 and 37 days, which had 4.3 and 4.5 log colony forming units/g, respectively. On display day 15, aerobic plate count populations were similar (P > 0.05) among all postmortem days (6.3 to 7.2 log colony forming units/g). No postmortem age × display day or postmortem age effects (P > 0.05) were found for lipid oxidation; however, there was a display day effect (P < 0.05). On display day 0, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were similar (P > 0.05) on steaks, regardless of postmortem age with 0.15 mg malondialdehyde/kg. On display day 15, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values on steaks aged 34 and 37 days were greater (P < 0.05) with 0.9 mg malondialdehyde/kg than steaks aged 27 days with 0.55 mg malondialdehyde/kg. There was no postmortem age × display day interaction (P > 0.05) or postmortem age effect (P > 0.05) for moisture content. Display day (P < 0.05) had an effect on moisture content.
Moderate negative correlations occurred between surface bioelectrical impedance values and a*, b*, and moisture content with -0.48, -0.46, and -0.46, respectively; and -0.51, -0.48, and -0.43, respectively, for internal bioelectrical impedance. Conversely, moderate positive correlations were found between surface bioelectrical impedance values and aerobic plate counts and lipid oxidation with 0.34 and 0.53, respectively; and 0.29 and 0.51, respectively, for internal bioelectrical impedance.

Implications
Internal bioelectrical impedance has potential for use to assess shelf-life of retail steaks and was more precise than surface bioelectrical impedance; however, using the internal bioelectrical impedance method may translocate bacteria into the muscle. Protein degradation and water holding capacity should be evaluated to better understand bioelectrical impedance changes over time.

Introduction
Meat is a highly perishable commodity which naturally contains myoglobin, a protein responsible for the red color of fresh beef. Meat color is unstable, but is considered one of the major criteria for consumers when selecting meat purchases (Kropf, 1993). Bioelectrical impedance, a non-destructive analysis, was first documented for use by medical sciences in the early 1900s (Morse, 1925). Later, Swatland (1985) used electrical impedance to evaluate the relationship between the quality of pork carcasses and its electrical properties. Bioelectrical impedance analysis has been demonstrated to provide an accurate fat content determination in different pork and beef grinds; however, the smaller the grind size (1/8-inch plate), the more accurate bioelectrical impedance analysis was for predicting fat content (Marchello et al., 1999). In this study, external bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess postmortem chemical changes in normal-and high-pH beef longissimus lumborum steaks during simulated retail display.

Experimental Procedures
The experiment was designed as a split-plot with loin as the whole-plot and paired steaks as the sub-plot. Display day was treated as the sub-plot treatment. Meat-pH and display day were treated as fixed effects. Beef strip loins (n = 20; Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications #180) were obtained from a commercial processor (postmortem age = 14 days). Loins were sorted into two treatments, normal-pH (5.61-5.64; n = 11) and high-pH (6.2-7.0; n = 9), fabricated into five 1-inch thick steaks (n = 100), and randomly assigned to one of five display days: 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Steaks were packaged on Styrofoam trays with a moisture absorbent pad, overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film, and displayed under fluorescent lighting (

Results and Discussion
There was no meat-pH × display day interaction (P > 0.05) for external bioelectrical impedance values; however, an effect on meat-pH and display day was found (P < 0.05). External bioelectrical impedance was 20% higher (P < 0.05; Figure 1) for high-pH meat than normal-pH meat. As seen in Figure 2, steaks on day 1 had lower external bioelectrical impedance values (P < 0.05) compared to days 5 and 7, but similar (P > 0.05) to days 3 and 9.
There was no meat-pH × display day interaction (P > 0.05) for metmyoglobin reducing ability values; however, an effect on meat-pH and display day was found (P < 0.05). The metmyoglobin reducing the ability of high-pH meat was increased by 12% (P < 0.05) in comparison with normal-pH meat. Metmyoglobin reducing ability increased (P < 0.05) over the 9 days of retail display. There was no meat-pH × display day interaction (P > 0.05) or display day effect for intact or degraded desmin, however, a meat-pH effect (P < 0.05) was found. Normal-pH meat had 33 and 43% higher (P < 0.05) amount of intact and degraded desmin, respectively, than high-pH meat. The meat-pH × display day interaction was marginally significant for troponin-t 40 and 30 KDa (P = 0.0601). In addition, no meat-pH × display day interaction (P > 0.05) was found for troponin-t 36, 34, and 30 KDa.

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate factors affecting Asian consumers' purchasing decisions and eating preferences of six different beef shank cuts. Beef shanks were collected from a Midwestern meat processor, transported to the Kansas State University Meat Laboratory (Manhattan, KS), and fabricated into different shank cuts. Six shank cuts, three from the forequarter [biceps brachii (shank A); a combination of deep digital flexor and flexor digitorum superficialis (shank B); and extensor carpi radialis (shank C)], and three from the hindquarter [flexor digitorum superficialis (shank D); deep digital flexor (shank E), and a combination of long digital extensor, medial digital extensor, and peroneus tertius (shank F)] were collected from 12 U.S. Department of Agriculture Low Choice beef carcasses. Shanks from the left side of the carcasses were used for Asian consumer taste panels, while shanks from the right sides were used for visual evaluation. Shanks A, D, and F received high sensory scores, followed by shanks C and E, with shank B receiving the lowest score among all shank cuts (P < 0.05). For visual overall liking, shanks A and C received the highest scores, followed by shanks B, E, and F, and shank D received the lowest score (P < 0.05). Consumers indicated that there was no difference in flavor and surface color among shank cuts (P > 0.05). All shank cuts had similar Warner-Bratzler shear force values except for shank B, which had the highest value (P < 0.01). For objective color measurement, shank D had the highest lightness (L*) value (P < 0.01), followed by shanks A, B, C, and E (P > 0.05), while shank F had the lowest L* value (P < 0.01). There were no differences found in redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) among shank cuts.

Introduction
A significant percentage of beef shank meat produced in the U.S. is sold through domestic Asian markets or exported to Asian countries as whole-muscle cuts because stewed beef shank is a popular dish in many Asian cultures. However, to our knowledge, there is little published research available characterizing different beef shank cuts based on Asian consumers' preference and quality traits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate factors affecting Asian consumers' purchasing decisions as well as their eating preferences of six different beef shank cuts.

Experimental Procedures
The cross-section and whole-muscle cut of six different beef shank cuts, three from the forequarter [biceps brachii (shank A); a combination of deep digital flexor and flexor digitorum superficialis (shank B); and extensor carpi radialis (shank C)], and three from the hindquarter [flexor digitorum superficialis (shank D); deep digital flexor (shank E); and a combination of long digital extensor, medial digital extensor, and peroneus tertius (shank F)] collected from both sides of 12 USDA Low Choice beef carcasses (n = 72) Shanks A, C, D, E, and F had similar (P > 0.01) Warner-Bratzler shear force values, and shank B had the highest (P < 0.01) shear force value (Table 3). For objective color measurement, shank D had the highest L* value (P < 0.01), followed by shanks A, B, C, and E (P > 0.05), with shank F having the lowest L* value (P < 0.01). There were no differences (P > 0.05) found in a* and b* among different beef shank cuts. Shanks C and E had a greater percentage in cooking loss compared to shank A, and shanks B, D, and F had the least cooking loss percentage (P < 0.01).

Implications
Connective tissue texture and amount directly affected Asian consumers' eating preference for different beef shank cuts, while shank size was the main factor affecting their purchasing decision. Least squares means without a common superscript differ (P < 0.05).
2 Combination of myofibrillar and connective tissue texture. Sensory evaluation scores: 0 = too tough; 50 = just about right (ideal score); 100 = too tender.  Least squares means without a common superscript differ (P < 0.05). Standard error of the least squares mean.

Anterior Posterior
Flexor digitorum super cialis (shank D)

Anterior Posterior
Deep digital exor (shank E)

Anterior Posterior
Long digital extensor + Medial digital extensor + Peroneus tertius (shank F) Anterior Posterior Figure 1. Cross-section of the anatomical location of 6 different beef shank cuts (left; courtesy of Bovine Myology), and the whole-muscle cut (right) corresponding to each shank cut utilized in this study.