Working chute behavior of feedlot cattle can be an indication of cattle temperament and beef carcass composition and quality

Abstract

The relationship between working chute temperament and beef carcass quality traits were measured on 183 crossbred feedlot steers. Steers were weighed and sorted into 16 pens and weighed every 28 days. Temperament was evaluated as exit velocity (EV), chute score (CS), and catch score (CAPS). Tissue samples were collected for DNA profile including docility (IGENITY®, Merial Limited, Duluth, GA, U.S.A). Steers were harvested at 14 to 16 months of age (606 ± 52 kg). Exit velocity increased and CS and CAPS values declined over time. Steers receiving a lower CAPS score had more marbling (P = 0.02). Ribeye steaks from steers with a slow first recorded EV were more tender (P = 0.02) than steaks from faster EV steers. IGENITY® docility index had a positive (P = 0.09) correlation (r = 0.15) with Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) indicating a higher docility index was loosely associated with tougher meat.