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Abstract
Producers face growing public scrutiny surrounding methane emission and foodborne pathogens, along with an increased demand for more locally sourced beef. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how an abrupt shift to different forage qualities impacted animal performance, methane emissions, and fecal shedding of E. coli and coliforms. Results demonstrated that 8 days post-dietary shift cattle on high concentrate diet (CTRL) and high-quality forage (HQF) had greater average daily gain, gain:feed ratios, and dry matter intake compared to low quality forage (LQF). During this time, ruminal and fecal volatile fatty acid concentrations were greater in CTRL compared to forage fed, with LQF having the overall lowest numeric concentrations. Forage fed cattle also greater acetate:propionate rations and higher percent gross energy intake. Fecal E. coli and coliform shedding also differed on day 29 as LQF showed over a 1 log reduction in both fecal shedding’s.