54 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 PEERS FEEDING EXL TO PROMOTE MARBLING IN EXPERIORFED CATTLE STEVEN SHACKELFORD, ANDY KING AND TOMMY WHEELER | USDAARS, U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER; AND CAMRYN SCHULTZ AND JESSIE MORRILL | UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA The U.S. cattle feeding industry has compensated for constricted feeder cattle supplies by feeding cattle to much heavier weights. One technology the industry has used to efficiently get cattle fed to heavier weights is lubabegron fumarate (Experior). But, relative to the traditional beta-modulator, ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx), lubabegron reduces marbling levels in the resulting carcasses. This experiment was conducted to determine if feeding a supplement with elevated levels of rumen-bypass, high-oleic fat would compensate for the impacts of Experior on marbling. To accomplish this goal, EXL 7060.FA369 (XF-Nebraska) was fed to one-half of the steers during the last 119 days on feed. In addition to containing 41 percent crude fat, EXL also contains 20 percent crude protein. Thus, to keep the protein level similar across diets, EXL replaced a portion of the ground alfalfa in the basal diet. This experiment used 960 beef steers over the course of two years (480 head from each of two calf crops). Each year, 240 steers were sourced from a management group consisting of Angus and high-percentage Angus crossbreds. An additional 240 steers were sourced from a management group consisting of red composite cattle with approximately 50 Continental European genetics (Simmental and Gelbvieh) and 50 percent British genetics (Angus, Hereford and Red Angus). Within management groups, steers were blocked by weight and assigned to one of 12 pens. Pens were assigned to 1 of 6 treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial treatment arrangement. Pens served as the experimental unit. Treatments were designed to compare the effects of EXL 7060 to a negative control (no supplement) under different beta ligand conditions (No beta modulator, Experior or Optaflexx). All steers received a dual-action combination implant (Revalor-XS) approximately 191 days before harvest. CONTINUED ON PAGE 56 The most profitable cattle operations know flexibility is the key to controlling feed costs. The NEW Forge C105 Compact Feed Mixer lets you utilize lower-cost by-products and commodities while reducing reliance on expensive processed feeds. Capacity: 105 cu ft Height: 52” Length: 8.5’ Weight: 2,500 lbs Forge C105 Compact Mixer Interested? Contact Us: (308) 529-1358 NEW www.forge-ind.com
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