Meeting Domestic and Export Markets for Beef: Research Outcomes of the Cattle and Beef CRC, 1993-2000

The CRC program was designed to understand the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting beef quality. This contract presents an overview of the CRC's progeny tests for beef quality traits and net feed intake. There is scope for significant genetic improvement of retail beef yield percentage and marbling in temperate and tropically adapted breeds, using crossbreeding and within-breed selection. There is greater scope for genetic improvement of tenderness in tropically adapted breeds than temperate breeds. The CRC's research on the genetics of feed efficiency and gene marker technologies offer potential benefits, but are yet to be exploited. CRC studies highlight significant non-genetic approaches to improving eating quality of beef. Pre-slaughter management of cattle and pathways developed for the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading scheme offer immediate advantages. Tenderstretching of beef carcases enhances tenderness and reduces the need for ageing of some cuts from some genotypes.