As a moderately to highly heritable trait, marbling is something that cattlemen have a lot of ability to manage. It also happens to be one of the major contributors to beef flavor. Texas Tech University meat scientist Jerrad Legako spoke about the topic at the 2020 American Society of Animal Science meetings.
Antibiotic resistance in cattle is a growing concern for producers and consumers. The goal for cattlemen and women is to implement strategies at the management level with good animal husbandry practices, routine health exams and vaccination.
We all know cattle have a super power: they turn forages and grain into edible protein. What do those with the buying power know of that story? Two speakers at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention put data to both the science and economic incentive of our beef sustainability discussions.
Cattlemen respond to consumer demands, even as they evolve from the call for premium quality to transparent production practices. We know that, thanks to ongoing work from NCBA. Overall, beef is doing well and will continue while half of consumers rank it as a top source of protein.
We know what keeps an animal healthy, but do we know what they want? Lily Edwards-Callaway, of Colorado State University, shared animal welfare research during Cattlemen’s College session at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention that she tag-teamed with NCBA’s Shawn Darcy.
In a world where producers select for any production traits, why not start focusing on health genetics? The American Angus Association is collaborating with scientists in Canada and Australia to get at the genetics of immunity.
Undetectable diseases are hard to cure. That’s why the industry is working to find new ways of treating liver abscesses. Tylan is effective, but as antibiotic-resistance concerns and conversations continue, its future is not assured.
In an era of skepticism consumers have trust issues, especially with those raising their food. The good news is demand is strong and taste is the main driver. Trust is going to be the key to gaining consumer confidence.
More research shows marbling is not correlated to other traits, supporting its possible to have maternal function and carcass quality in one animal. Late December is showing more typical Choice grading trends.