Faster Better BeefLimestone Coast Beef Research Field Day Around 50 people attended this collaborative University of Adelaide / Limestone Coast Red Meat Cluster event late last month - despite perfect spraying weather on the day! In discussing genetic influences on Meat Standards Australia grading traits, the University's Dr Stephen Lee's key message was that the trait with greatest effect on MSA is marbling. Estimated Breeding Values can be used to select for marbling and in the future value-based price incentives will be available for cattle that meet certain specifications. Dr Mariana Caetano's presentation focused on her work with grape marc as a supplementary feed to reduce methane emissions from cattle. There are opportunities for the use of grape marc in beef cattle
systems but high condensed tannins levels can have a significant impact on protein and energy digestibility. Farrah Preston, a PhD Student with the University of Adelaide spoke about pre-slaughter stress on dark cutting. Her findings to date show that mobs of cattle that exhibit greater reactivity to unloading (jumping and falling) and/or are dirty at arrival and require more washing pre-slaughter
have a higher incidence of dark-cutting. These factors can be managed through appropriate conditioning of cattle on-farm. Michael Wilkes, a locally based research associate with the University of Adelaide, spoke about his work on MSA compliance in pasture fed beef cattle with a particular focus on the issue of dark cutting. Whilst this work is ongoing, there are some excellent messages in the findings so far, including: - animals that do not finish in their second spring and are ‘carried over’ are much more likely to grade poorly
- mob movements within the week before slaughter was associated with higher rates of dark cutting due to changes in available feed quantity and quality in the lead up to transport
- pasture Magnesium levels were found to decrease the incidence of dark cutting, indicating that although levels in the pasture may appear adequate, animals may not be absorbing sufficient levels
More detail is available in
a summary of Michael's work
from the Library page of our website. Michael and collaborative partner Craig Altmann from NAS Agribusiness introduced the University of Adelaide’s project on evaluating fodder beet as an autumn-winter grazing crop, including a paddock walk at a nearby trial site. With 600 steers grazing fodder beets across three trial sites in the South East this year, the results are promising with high crop yields and growth rates in excess of 1kg/day. The afternoon incorporated a practical session with Nicholas van Den Berg, a member of the 2014 Australian intercollegiate meat judging competition team, putting participants to the test in assessing meat for colour, marbling, ossification and yield. The highest score for the two judging activities was awarded to Naracoorte High School student Angus Pilmore, auguring well for the future of meat assessment. The 'Faster Better Beef' field day was made possible by sponsors and collaborators MLA More Beef from Pastures, Teys Australia, NAS Agribusiness, MacKillop Farm Management Group, Murdoch University and Primary Industries & Regions SA. For further information on any of the topics please contact Michael Wilkes on 0407 712 180 or michael.wilkes@adelaide.edu.au
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