The Effect of Post-Weaning Steer Diets Supplemented With Field Pea, Flaxseed and a Field Pea-Flaxseed Combination on Feedlot Finishing Performance, Carcass Quality and Immune Response

This study objective was to compare the effect of feeding field pea, flaxseed and field pea-flaxseed combination on steer performance and immune response during the 50-d post-weaning period (PWP). Subsequently, the effect on feedlot finishing performance, immune response and carcass quality were determined. Crossbred Angus x Hereford x Gelbvieh steers (castrated male calves, age=7.4 month, n=173) were used in the 3 year replicated study. The four pelleted 50-d PWP diets (PWD) were: 1) Control (C), 2) 12.5% Flaxseed (FLX), 3) 20.0% Field Pea (P), and 4) 20.0% Field Pea + 12.5% Flaxseed (PFLX). In the PWP, average daily weight gain (ADG) was increased (P<0.05) for FLX and PFLX when compared with C and P, but feed cost/kg of gain for FLX and PFLX was decreased (P<0.05). In the feedlot period, initial weight, slaughter weight, fattening period, weight gain, ADG, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio was not significantly different among the diets (P>0.10). For carcasses, PWD did not affect hot carcass weight, marbling score, percent US Department of Agriculture quality grade (P>0.05); however, FLX treatment reduced rib-eye area (REA), while P treatment increased REA (P<0.05). FLX and PFLX treatments did not increase serum neutralization titer level and did not reduce morbidity (P=0.96) and health care cost (P>0.10). Overall, Flaxseed improved 50-d PWP performance, but PWDs had no carryover effect on feedlot finishing period net return.