Growth-promoting implants and nutrient restriction before feeding: Effect on finishing performance, carcass composition, carcass quality, and consumer acceptability of beef

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effect of a prefinishing implant strategy and plane of nutrition on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and beef quality. Calves were weaned in the fall (n=120 and 96 for yr 1 and 2, respectively) and finished as calves (CFED) or follow ing a growing-backgrounding program with ADG of 0.45 (RSTR) or 0.91kg/d (UNRSTR). Before finishing, half of each group received hormonal implants with 200mg of progesterone and 20mg of estradiol benzoate for steers or 200mg of testosterone propionate and 20mg of estradiol benzoate for heifers (IMPL), whereas the other half did not receive an implant until entry into the feed yard (DLY). Growing phase ADG was greater (P