L.EQT.1910 - Reconditioning and eating quality potential of older female cattle

Summary

At present in the Australian cattle industry there are a large number of female cows that are culled on an annual basis.

This research attempted to gain an understanding of the effect that starting body condition, age of cow, length of feeding period and ration composition has on the final carcase quality of the cow for market specification compliance and profitability.

This project utilised 72 head across four treatment groups consisting of a control and three different days on feed (28, 42 and 56). Three cuts were collected and tested against 840 untrained consumers.

Objectives

1. To determine the feasibility of feeding older cows, with low body condition scores, for short intervals through increased MSA and market specification compliance.
2. Determine the sensory impact of new muscle growth and understand flavour in older cows.

Key findings

Based on production parameters, results of this study indicate that feeding cull cows a high energy diet for 42 days is the optimum, as extending feeding to 56 days did not result in further increases in live weight and average daily gain (ADG) declined. However, the proportion of carcases eligible to receive an MSA index increased significantly with increasing days of feeding (DOF), with 56 DOF found to be optimum to maximise the potential of carcases awarded an MSA index. The percentage of carcases that were allocated an MSA grade increased with increasing days on feed, from 0% in the control group to 84% after 56 days on feed.
The implementation of an MSA premium for cows that meet MSA requirements could have a significant impact for producers and the value of cow carcases.

Benefits to industry

Mature cull cows that are in poor condition are known to undergo compensatory growth following a period of restricted nutrition. This income opportunity is often unnoticed as part of a breeding enterprise through increase in growth performance, better carcase composition and potential MSA return by triggering compensatory growth following a period of restricted nutrition. The economic analyses of the data generated through this trial reveals net profitability of the enterprise. However, producers need to carefully consider key factors associated with profitability, consistent supply of cull cows and market prices, feed costs and access to the markets.

MLA action

This online summary will be published on the MLA R&D website.

Future research

The data obtained from this study can be used by industry to determine the most economical length of feeding period for older cows depending on their final carcase specifications.