The economic importance of genotype in steers fed pasture or lucerne hay and prepared for the Australian and Japanese beef markets

Abstract

Taurindicus cattle from Queensland supply 40% of the Japanese grass‐fed, chilled beef trade and much of Queensland's domestic market. Regression analyses of commercially important carcass characteristics and anatomical components on side weight and rump Ps fat thickness were used to assess the economic value of 24 Hereford (H), 23 Brahman (B), and 22 Brahman × Hereford (BH) steers fed on pasture or lucerne hay for the Australian and Japanese markets. For the Australian domestic trade, when compared at 5 mm fat thickness, B and BH had a significantly greater percentage of total primal cuts than H, and B had a significantly greater percentage of saleable beef yield than H. BH carcasses had a significantly greater weight of saleable beef yield, side muscle, and were more valuable ($A318) than B ($A280) and H ($A267). When estimates were made at 100 kg side weight, B had a significantly greater weight of saleable beef yield and side muscle than H. BH had a significantly greater economic value ($A268) than H ($A260) and B ($A231). In the heavier carcasses suitable for Japan, at 14 mm fat thickness, BH had a significantly greater percentage of total primal cuts and saleable beef yield than H and B. BH ($A441) and B ($A436) were more valuable than H ($A383). At 165 kg side weight, BH were significantly heavier than the other two genotypes (P < 0.01) in saleable beef yield and side muscle, significantly lighter in side fat (P < 0.01) and significantly more valuable ($A448) than H ($A434) and B ($A395). Taurindicus steers were more profitable for both markets than H or B steers, whether compared at fat thicknesses or side weights.