Abstract
Crossbred yearling heifers (n = 394) were used to compare the effect of high or low blood glucose measured at arrival on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. A blood sample was collected when heifers arrived at the Beef Cattle Research Center, and heifers were sorted into two groups: high or low blood glucose. The mean blood glucose concentration of the heifers was 57 ± 2 mg/dL in the low group and 78 ± 2 mg/dL in the high group. Heifers that had low blood glucose at arrival consumed more feed (P=0.02), tended to have increased final bodyweight and rate of gain (P<0.10), had increased backfat thickness (P<0.05), and tended to have heavier hot carcass weights and fewer standard carcasses (P<0.10) compared with heifers that had high blood glucose at arrival.
Keywords: Cattlemen's Day, 2003, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution, no. 03-272-S, Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service), 908, Beef, Blood glucose, Performance, Carcass characteristics, Heifers
How to Cite:
Loe, E., Kessen, T., Montgomery, S. P., Sindt, J., Sulpizio, M., Pike, J. & Drouillard, J. S., (2003) “Relationship of blood glucose concentration at arrival to performance and carcass characteristics of beef heifers”, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports 1(1), 192-195. doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1692
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