Evaluation of protein supplement available to Tennessee farmers fed with whole shelled corn in finishing long yearling cattle

The data used in this study were obtained from 160 long yearling feeder steers weighing between 600 and 750 lbs. and fed whole shelled corn finishing rations supplemented with four different protein sources as to comprise the finishing rations. The variables, frame size, increase in fat thickness, average daily gain, total gain per pen, average daily corn consumption, average corn conversion, carcass weight, rib eye area, fat thickness, percent kidney, pelvic, and heart fat, yield grade, marbling, and quality grade were subjected to a least squares regression analysis as dependent variables to detect significant differences between the treatments. The variables, average daily gain, total gain per pen, average daily com consumption, average corn conversion, carcass weight, and yield grade were found to be (P < .05) different for treatment. Duncan's Multiple Range Test was conducted to rank the treatments for these variables. Previous workers have not made such comparisons as these but from these data one could conclude that the (P < .05) differences in average daily gain were due to the protein supplements. The relationship of carcass weight, rib eye area, and percent kidney, pelvic, and heart fat in replication effects, according to these data, would appear to be that the heavier carcasses had larger rib eye areas with less kidney, pelvic, and heart fat.