Effect of Fresh Citrus Pulp Supplementation on Animal Performance and Meat Quality of Feedlot Steers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The use of crop, fruit, and vegetable processing co-products for animal feeding has been of increasing interest worldwide to minimize feed waste. Additionally, it has a positive impact from an environmental standpoint being a more efficient use of feed resources. However, the use of many co-products has limitations related to poor palatability for animals and the logistical aspects of product delivery. Citrus pulp is a by-product of the citrus industry presenting a nutritional composition that makes it attractive for use as an ingredient in animal feeding. Previous research has shown that it is feasible to utilize citrus pulp in beef cattle rations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of fresh citrus pulp in the diet of feedlot steers on animal performance and carcass and meat nutritional properties and quality. The findings of the study showed that fresh citrus pulp may be used as an energy source in rations for feedlot steers as it does not affect animal performance or carcass and meat quality, but, rather, has a positive effect on dry matter intake and a better feed to gain ratio. ABSTRACT: The use of fruit by-products such as citrus pulp represents a feeding ingredient that deserves to be evaluated as an energy source in animal rations. Thirty-six British breed steers were allotted to one of the three feeding treatments (12 steers/treatment): 0%, 15% and 30% of fresh citrus pulp inclusion in the ration in a randomized complete block design to evaluate animal performance and carcass and meat quality traits. In the present study, the inclusion of fresh citrus pulp up to 30% of the diet did not affect the animal average daily gain (p > 0.05) but steers that were fed the pulp consumed less feed (p < 0.05) and presented a lower feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) than their counterparts without citrus pulp in their diet. No effect of fresh citrus pulp was observed on carcass and meat quality (p > 0.05). A greater lipophilic antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) in meat was observed when fresh citrus pulp was offered at 15% of the diet. Fresh citrus pulp used up to 30% as a feed ingredient in feedlot rations does not negatively affect animal performance or meat quality but, rather, has a positive effect on dry matter intake and a better feed conversion ratio.