Effects of feedlot bunk management and bulk density of steam-flaked corn on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver score of finishing beef steers fed high-concentrate diets without by-products or tylosin phosphate

Our objective was to evaluate effects of bunk management strategy and bulk density steam-flaked corn (SFC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, incidence severity liver abscesses in finishing beef steers fed diets without tylosin phosphate. Beef (n = 192; initial BW 332 ± 8.1 kg) were used a randomized complete block design comprised 12 blocks pen replications per treatment. A 2 × factorial arrangement treatments used: (1) slick-bunk + 335 g/L SFC-based (SFC); (2) modified ad libitum SFC; (3) 425 (4) SFC. Bunk did not affect or abscess score (P ? 0.10). The ADG SFC greater 0.05) from d 35 105 than those however, overall different 0.36). DMI at each interim period ? 0.01) Gain-to-feed (G:F) tended 0.10) be lesser 0 but 0.12). Steers have backfat calculated empty body fat percentage 0.07) YG 0.05). had 43.5% fewer 0.04) SFC, differ development abscesses. with similar G:F, carcasses fatter. Greater may useful viable antimicrobial alternative decrease