Grass-based production systems for late-maturing suckler bulls: Carcass characteristics and meat eating quality

Moloney, Aidan P.; O'Riordan, , Edward G.; McGee, Mark; O’Sullivan, Maurice G.; Kerry,  Joseph P.; Coyle , Shannon; Monahan, Frank J.; Siphambili, Sibhekiso; Moran, Lara

Grass-based production systems for late-maturing suckler bulls: Carcass characteristics and meat eating quality

Files

2018_11_41.pdf(113.78 KB)

Accepted Version

Date

2018

Authors

Moloney, Aidan P.

O'Riordan, , Edward G.

McGee, Mark

O’Sullivan, Maurice G.

Kerry, Joseph P.

Coyle , Shannon

Monahan, Frank J.

Siphambili, Sibhekiso

Moran, Lara

Publisher

Australian Meat Processor Corporation

Abstract

Some European markets for bulls from the suckler beef cow herd require that they be < 20 months of age and have a carcass fat classification of ≥6 on a 1 (leanest)-15 (fattest) scale. Grazing of late-maturing breed bulls for 100 days prior to indoor finishing on concentrates for 100 days achieved this fat classification [1]. Since grazed grass is the cheapest feedstuff in temperate climates [2], increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the diet of bulls through a longer grazing season, would decrease the cost of production and the beef would be more attractive to “grass-fed” beef consumers. However, the carcass fat classification may not be achieved due to the lower energy density of grass compared to concentrates. Given the modest correlation between carcass fat classification and many meat quality variables [1], we hypothesised that slaughtering bulls from pasture at 19 months of age with or without supplementary concentrates would have a minor impact on meat quality when compared with bulls finished on ad libitum concentrates.

Keywords

Bulls , Carcass fat , Grazing , Grass-fed

Citation

Moloney, A. P., O’Riordan, E. G., McGee, M., O’Sullivan, M. G., Kerry, J. P., Coyle, S., Monahan, F. J., Siphambili, S. and Moran, L. (2018) 'Grass-based production systems for late-maturing suckler bulls: Carcass characteristics and meat eating quality', 64th International Congress on Meat Science and Technology, 64th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology, Melbourne, Australia, 12-17 August 2018.