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Improving Beef Cattle Production
- The UT Bull Test Station is located at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. Each year bulls from across the state are brought here to complete an 84-day test that monitors weight gain performance. The purpose of the Bull Test Station is to provide a standard, impartial post-weaning gain test that will furnish records that will be useful in breeding programs. The Station also provides a market for completely performance tested bulls and serves as an educational tool for beef cattle improvement. See reports & recomendations.
- Grass-fed Beef is considered healthier than grain-fed beef due to its leanness and beneficial fatty acid proportions. However, most consumers prefer the taste of grain-fed beef. In an effort to find a balance of healthiness and taste, studies were conducted to determine the impact of supplementing grass-fed cattle with soyhulls, a highly digestible fiber source. According to research findings, Tennessee can produce quality beef with natural forage contributing 80 percent of the diet. Tested cattle still had good gains in weight, and in a Texas A & M meat evaluation, there was no difference in taste. And the supplementation did not dramatically hinder the health beneftis. Good news for consumers as well as producers since maintaining a grass-fed herd can increase productivity and profit. Read full reports.
