Effects of sunflower oil in barley grain-based finishing diets on growth and carcass quality of feedlot steers

High linoleic acid sunflower oil (HLSO) was included at 0, 3, 6, or 9% (dry matter basis) in barley-based finishing diets offered to 60 steers fed individually (n = 15 per dietary treatment). Trends toward improved average daily gain (by 13% with 6% HLSO; quadratic, P = 0.08) and feed efficiency (by 7%, linear, P = 0.09) were observed. Steers tolerated 9% HLSO with no adverse effect on performance.