Effect of a Corn Silage-Based Finishing Diet on Growth, Carcass Composition, Meat Quality, Methane Emissions and Carbon Footprint of Crossbred Angus Young Bulls

Diana M. Soares, Sílvia Bernardino, Nuno Rodrigues, Ivo Gama, João M. Almeida, Ricardo F. M. Teixeira, José Santos-Silva, Susana P. Alves, Tiago Domingos (), Cecile Martin, Gonçalo M. Marques and Rui J. B. Bessa ()
Additional contact information
Diana M. Soares: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
Sílvia Bernardino: Terraprima—Sociedade Agrícola, Quinta da França, 6250-111 Caria, Portugal
Nuno Rodrigues: Terraprima-Serviços Ambientais, Centro de Negócios do Porto Alto, Avenida das Nações Unidas, No. 97, 2135-199 Samora Correia, Portugal
Ivo Gama: Terraprima-Serviços Ambientais, Centro de Negócios do Porto Alto, Avenida das Nações Unidas, No. 97, 2135-199 Samora Correia, Portugal
João M. Almeida: CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
Ricardo F. M. Teixeira: MARETEC—Marine, Environment and Technology Centre, Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
José Santos-Silva: CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
Susana P. Alves: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
Tiago Domingos: MARETEC—Marine, Environment and Technology Centre, Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Cecile Martin: Institut National de Recherche pour L’agriculture, L’alimentation et L’environnement (INRAE), VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
Gonçalo M. Marques: Terraprima-Serviços Ambientais, Centro de Negócios do Porto Alto, Avenida das Nações Unidas, No. 97, 2135-199 Samora Correia, Portugal
Rui J. B. Bessa: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: Using locally produced forage and agro-industrial by-products can reduce dependence on imported feed and competition for human food sources, while improving meat quality. However, the overall effect of this feeding strategy on global greenhouse gas emissions must be evaluated to provide a comprehensive assessment of sustainability. This study aimed to test whether replacing the conventional concentrate finishing diet with a total mixed ration (TMR) diet based on maize silage and brewer’s spent grains (BSG) would improve meat quality without compromising productive performance, carcass composition, and the carbon footprint (CFp) of finishing beef cattle. Twenty crossbred young bulls were randomly distributed among 4 pens and randomly allocated to 2 treatments: Control—a conventional diet based on commercial concentrate and wheat straw or TMR—a maize silage-based diet with BSG, concentrate, and straw. Dry matter intake and average daily gain were 13% and 15%, respectively, lower in the TMR treatment than in the Control treatment. Daily methane emissions were 59% higher in the TMR treatment. However, life cycle assessment results revealed no differences in the CFp, and the beef from TMR treatment achieved higher meat quality. In conclusion, a maize silage-based diet offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional diets, with a lower environmental impact and improved beef quality.

Keywords: total mixed ration; beef cattle; carcass composition; meat fatty acids; environmental footprint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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