Beef In Australia Research Articles

Beef carcase characteristics that may be of value in selecting for genetic merit.

Commercially important carcase characteristics that may be used for the genetic improvement of Australia's beef cattle were evaluated using, predominantly, published data. Conclusions are based on the relationship of carcase measurements to the anatomical and commercial dissection products of 690 sides of beef and on other Australian and overseas work. Many measurements used as the basis for genetic selection are cost-effective but unlikely to lead to significant genetic gain. Some of the cost-effective measurements chosen will confound and impede genetic change. The commonly used saleable beef yield varies so widely in composition because of fat content that it is unlikely to be a reliable measurement for genetic purposes. Because of its homogeneous composition, estimated lean meat yield (muscle), which is seldom used for descriptive purposes in the cattle and beef industries, is a much more reliable measure of genetic merit than saleable beef yield. Eye muscle area, used alone or in conjunction with carcase weight and fat thickness, is of limited value in quantifying muscle, particularly in carcases of similar size. Butt profile, which is strongly influenced by subcutaneous fat deposits, is often negatively associated with beef yield. Subjective muscle score, assessed by competent muscle scorers, when used alone or together with carcase weight and fat thickness did not improve the estimation of saleable beef yield. A second subcutaneous fat thickness measurement generally does not improve upon the accuracy of a single fat thickness measurement for quantifying carcase muscle. Specific breed equations give significant improvements in the prediction of carcase muscle and should be used where possible. For meat quality characteristics, visual marbling score is so poorly correlated with actual marbling fat as to be of no practical value for genetic improvement. Tenderness measurements, because of their low variation between breeds and their susceptibility to slaughter and chilling stresses cannot be used for genetic selection.

Occurrence of organochlorine residues in Australian meat

In spite of several quality control procedures used by Australia to ensure the wholesomeness of export meat, a number of pesticide residue violations were identified in the Australian product exported to the USA in May 1987. The pesticides involved were the organochlorines, dieldrin and heptachlor. The problems were caused by the persistence of organochlorines in soils and their illicit use or contamination of storage facilities. Animals grazing contaminated pasture, ingesting contaminated feed or held in contaminated yards over a period, bioaccumulated residues in their adipose tissues which eventually exceeded maximum residue limits (MRL) and caused violations. Though there was no immediate public health risk, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) of the Commonwealth Department of Primary Industries and Energy (DPIE), acted expeditiously to determine and eliminate the factors causing these problems, which threatened Australia's beef export industry worth in excess of two billion dollars annually. An overall strategic plan, "The Integrated Action Plan", was formulated and implemented by AQIS with the assistance of the relevant Departments of the States and the Northern Territory (NT), meat processing and export industries and livestock producer bodies. As a result of this action, the likely sources of contamination were identified and controlled. The National Residue Survey (NRS) was enhanced, a National Residue Data Base (NRDB) was established and a centralised computer system interactive with abattoirs, laboratories and animal health authorities developed. The cattle farm identity tail tag system already in place, capable of tracing cattle to the farm of origin was refined and trace back systems for sheep and pigs were utilised.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A NOTE ON BIAS IN THE ESTIMATED EFFECTS OF BEEF IMPORTS ON U.S. MEAT PRICES

The impact of beef imports on United States meat prices is a highly emotional and controversial issue. Congressmen representing urban districts, and to a lesser extent the Administration, look towards beef imports as a way of containing rapid increases in meat prices. Congressmen and Senators from beef‐producing States regard beef imports as a direct attack on the U.S. beef‐producing industry.These differing views are being reconciled through Congress considering amendments to the Meat Import Law (Public Law 88‐482). The impacts and the amendments are of vital interest to Australia because about 25 per cent of Australia's beef production is sold on the lucrative U.S. market.In this note it is argued that, in general, the reported impacts on U.S. meat prices are overestimates because the analysts misspecify the structure of the U.S. beef industry.