Effects of Maternal Supplementation with an Injectable Trace Mineral Containing Copper, Manganese, Zinc, and Selenium on Subsequent Steer Finishing Phase Performance and Carcass Characteristics

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The persistent effects of maternal nutrition on subsequent offspring health and performance have drawn great attention in both the livestock industry and human health field in recent years. Trace minerals play very important roles in nutrition and regulate many critical biological processes. Therefore, trace mineral status of the dam has the potential to influence early growth and development of the fetus, which leads to long-lasting effects on animal health and growth performance. This study demonstrated that maternal supplementation of trace minerals increased the percentage of carcasses graded as USDA Choice or greater, but maternal trace mineral injections had limited effects on finishing phase growth performance and other carcass characteristics of the offspring. Stakeholders of the cow/calf and feedlot operations should consider these results as they make decisions on maternal trace mineral administrations. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate effects of maternal supplementation with an injectable trace mineral (Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se) on subsequent steer performance during the finishing phase. Seventy-six Angus cross steers (initial body weight 249 ± 41.5 kg) from dams administered either an injectable trace mineral (TM; Multimin 90) or sterilized physiological saline (CON) during prepartum stage were used. Individual feed intake during the finishing phase were recorded with GrowSafe feed bunks. Blood and liver biopsy samples were collected to evaluate trace mineral status. Steers were slaughtered at 413 ± 26 days of age and carcass data were obtained at a commercial abattoir. Growth performance or mineral status of the steers during the finishing phase was not affected (p ≥ 0.14) by maternal treatments. Carcass characteristics were not different (p ≥ 0.18), except steers from TM dams had greater (p = 0.05) percentage of carcasses graded as Choice or greater. In conclusion, maternal supplementation of an injectable trace mineral increased the percentage of carcasses graded as Choice or greater, other than that, maternal supplementation had limited influence on finishing phase growth performance, trace mineral status, or carcass characteristics of the subsequent steer progeny.