Evaluation of performance, carcass characteristics, and sensory attributes of beef from finishing steers fed field peas.

Whole field peas were fed at 0, 10, 20, and 30% of DM to 139 yearling steers (British cross; 409 ± 31 kg of initial BW) for a 119-d finishing period. Carcass data and Choice grade strip loins (n = 98) were collected from a commercial abattoir in Lexington, Nebraska. Consumer sensory and Warner-Bratzler shear force analyses were performed on 2.5-cm strip steaks. No differences (P ≥ 0.17) were observed in final BW, ADG, DMI, and G:F of steers. Likewise, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) were observed for HCW, LM area, fat thickness at the 12th rib, yield grade, and marbling scores. However, KPH responded quadratically to increasing dietary amount of field peas (P = 0.02). Regarding the sensorial analysis, feeding peas linearly increased subjective tenderness (P < 0.01) and led to a quadratic response of overall like ratings (P = 0.01) and flavor like ratings (P = 0.12). Feeding peas did not alter (P ≥ 0.64) juiciness, but decreased shear force values linearly when quantities were increased (P = 0.02). These data suggest that feeding peas does not affect steer performance or carcass characteristics differently from dry-rolled corn, but does improve objective and subjective tenderness, overall desirability, and flavor of beef. Field peas could be fed to cattle and give positive attributes to the quality of the meat up to 30% inclusion in the diet.

Mapping of intramuscular tenderness and muscle fiber orientation of muscles in the beef round.

Intramuscular tenderness variation and muscle fiber orientation of beef M. adductor femoris (AF), M. biceps femoris (BF), M. gracilis (GL), M. pectineus (PT), M. sartorius (SR), M. semimembranosus (SM), M. semitendinosus (SO), M. vastus intermedius (VI), M. vastus medialis (VM), and M. vastus lateralis (VL) were investigated. The USDA Choice boxed beef subprimals were purchased and aged for 14 d from boxed date. The AF, BF, GL, PT, SR, SM, SO, VI, VM, and VL (n = 10 each) were fabricated from subprimals. Crust-frozen AF, BF, SO, SM, and VL were cut into 2.54-cm steaks perpendicular to the long axis and grilled (71 degrees C). The PT, SR, VI, and VM were grilled (71 degrees C) as whole muscles, whereas the GL was grilled after cutting into anterior and posterior regions. Grilled muscles were cut into equal size sections perpendicular to long axis of muscles. Location-specific cores were prepared from each steak/section, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was measured. The muscle fiber orientations of BF, PT, and VI were bipennate, SR and SO were fusiform, and AD, SM, VL, GL, and VM were unipennate. The overall mean WBSF values for BF, SO, AF, SM, PT, SR, GL, VI, VM, and VL were 5.62, 4.86, 4.18, 4.90, 3.76, 4.44, 4.75, 4.78, 4.24, and 6.53 kg, respectively. Based on WBSF values, PT was tender, BF and VL were tough, and VM, VI, SM, GL SR, AF, and SO were intermediate. The first 2 proximal steaks of long head BF were more tender than the rest (P < 0.05). In the SO, the tenderness decreased from the middle of the muscle to both ends (P < 0.05). The anterior sides of the long head BF and SO were tougher than their posterior sides (P < 0.05).The first 4 steaks of the SM were more tender than the rest of the muscle (P < 0.05). There was a significant tenderness increment from the middle of the AF and SR to both ends of each muscle (P < 0.05). The medial side of the VI was more tender than its lateral side (P < 0.05). The VM had its smallest shear force value at the most distal end compared with the rest (P < 0.05). Dry or moist heat oven roasting, as compared with grilling, significantly tenderized SO (P = 0.002) and VL (P < 0.0001) muscles. There were no significant WBSF value differences along the PT and between anterior and posterior regions of the GL. Based on WBSF ratings, PT, SR, VM, GL, and VI could be merchandized as single muscle steaks or medallions and the first 2 to 4 steaks of long head BF, SM, and AF could be marketed as premium-quality steaks. This detailed information on intramuscular tenderness and muscle fiber orientation variations of the round muscles could be used in a value added strategy for the beef round.