Back to R&D main

Senepol feedlot performance and meat tenderness

Project start date: 30 July 2013
Project end date: 31 January 2014
Publication date: 01 January 2014
Project status: Completed
Livestock species: Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle
Relevant regions: National
Download Report (0.4 MB)

Summary

The feedlot performance and meat tenderness of F1 Senepol x Brahman steers and Brahman steers were compared to determine whether crossbreeding with Senepols improved the meat quality of the progeny from Brahman cows in northern Australia. The performance in the feedlot was similar for both genotypes with no significant difference in average daily gain over the 73-day feeding period. Meat tenderness was evaluated by shear force testing of striploin samples from each carcase and the F1 Senepols were found to be more tender as they had significantly (P=0.003) lower average shear force results than the Brahmans (3.43 vs 3.86 kg). MSA assessment graded the F1 Senepol carcases into lower boning groups than the Brahmans (averages of 6.3 and 8.3, respectively).

More information

Project manager: Mick Quirk
Primary researcher: Northern Territory of Australia