The findings of a 2019 study by Charles Sturt honours students Jake Bourlet, Christine Harris and Jessie Phillips will be presented at the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation’s Livestock Forum on July 31.
Research supervisor and Charles Sturt farming systems lecturer Michael Campbell said the research showed there was potential to develop a high quality product from cull beef cows over five years of age.
“Given the reduction in Australia's beef herd, and predicted lower slaughter rates, it is important that the industry extracts as much value from every carcase processed, including older females,” Dr Campbell said.
“We have also seen a trend towards branded products, which can extract further value from animals that have high eating quality attributes.
“With this in mind, it is important that we understand how to better manage cows that have been culled from a beef breeding herd to improve meat quality outcomes.”
The 2019 study examined the live animal performance and meat quality of Angus and Angus cross cows that had been culled due to their age.
They were fed the same diet for different periods of time before slaughter and a full Meat Standards Australia carcase evaluation was performed on each animal.
“The live weight, carcase weight and quality increased with an increased time of feed,” Dr Campbell said.
“The number of carcases that met the required standards to be given an MSA index increased to 84 per cent after 56 days on feed, compared with only 11 per cent after 28 days on feed.
“If the market rewards this quality with higher prices, it could be worthwhile to put cattle on feed for a period of time before slaughter, depending on the cost of feed.”
Dr Campbell will talk more about the research during the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation’s Livestock Forum, which will be held on July 31, from 9 am to 1.30 pm.
The forum will cost $10 to attend virtually. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/2D82NnX
