International Livestock Resources & Information Centre Ltd

The next step along the livestock production continuum is ensuring that livestock have the
opportunity to produce high quality output suited to customer needs. Not only does this imply understanding of customer requirements, but having the capability to adjust to customer demands. Once again the genetic makeup of particular livestock types must be understood, as must the effects of management, nutrition and selling processes on meat quality. ILRIC will provide internationally recognised research and development programs that provide producers and industry with timely and up to date management practices.

Using selection tools such as EBVs, crossbreeding and genetic markers can increase beef production and carcases quality.  Cross-breeding composite and straight-breeding projects have identified breeds and sires which consistently produce beef of guaranteed eating quality in a range of environments.  Results show traits such as retail beef yield percentage and marbling is highly heritable and will respond well to genetic selection.

The Beef CRC and its partners have patented the first gene marker tests in the beef industry - GeneSTAR tests for marbling and tenderness.  Research on techniques for including gene marker information in EBV calculations is currently being undertaken.  ILRIC can provide the best knowledge and techniques in genetics which will enable the design and execution of breeding programs that produce beef which meets the marketing requirements and is profitable for all segments of the supply chain.  ILRIC can offer services aimed at:

• Achieving a consistent supply of consumer-specific product for both domestic and export markets using innovative genetic, nutritional and management technologies applicable to grass- and grain finished cattle
• Capturing benefits from the worldwide expansion in genomics knowledge by strategic application of gene markers and functional genomics for genetic improvement of beef quality in cattle herds
• Use of gene markers to improve carcase and meat quality
  

Livestock production is not simply a matter of having the appropriate genetic characteristics. An understanding of nutrition and livestock feed requirements at the various stages of the lifecycle and under different environmental conditions are other necessary pre-requisites for efficient livestock production. If a livestock sector is to be competitive in the world market producers need to be able to maximise the relationship between feed intake and meat quantity and quality. ILRIC has access to a wide range of research and management expertise that will ensure the development of efficient production systems for all livestock types and in all environments. ILRIC has access to the latest research into these relationships. It can provide advice and expertise into:

• The relationship between nutrition and carcase quality, meat tenderness and flavour
• Efficient and safe use of hormonal growth promotants
• The effects of nutritional regulation of growth at specific phases of an animal's life on subsequent growth and development of carcase tissues and of factors governing muscle metabolism and structure that impact on eating quality of beef
• Improving efficiency of feed utilisation

FeedMania (feed formulation software)

ILRIC has access to the largest integrated program of research into beef quality in Australia. This includes research and development of systems that can evaluate and ensure consistent production of quality livestock products. Ensuring high product quality to the consumer is influenced by livestock growing and slaughter conditions; breed and age of stock and use of cuts that meet consumer preferences. In terms of producing quality product, ILRIC can provide specific assistance in the following areas:

• The role of pre- and post-slaughter management practices to ensure consistent consumer-specified eating quality of domestic and export products
• The importance of beef cuts in maximizing livestock profitability and the establishment of cuts-based grading scheme for meat
• The importance of pre-slaughter stress, pH, tenderstretch, electrical stimulation, ageing and breed on beef tenderness - The factors that determine the extent and pattern of fat development within bovine skeletal muscle. This is to improve the consistency of marbling
• The characterisation of genetic, biochemical and environmental interactions that contribute to beef quality. This knowledge may be used to develop gene markers and to contribute to the development of treatments and management strategies for the consistent and sustainable supply of high quality beef products
• The biophysical mechanisms affecting eating quality
• The development of best practice to extend the Meat Standards Australia grading scheme based on eating quality
• The development of regional strategies to guarantee beef eating quality
• Identification of the relative contribution of genetics, growth path, meat
  processing and beef ageing to beef eating quality
• The effects of hormone growth promotants on beef eating quality
• Education and training courses to create a more skilled beef industry workforce
• An explanation of the influence of marbling on eating quality of beef

ILRIC is able to provide particular expertise in relation to feedlot production and nutrition. This expertise covers all aspects of feedlot production from pre-boosting cattle before entering the feedlot, to nutrition and feedlot management that will ensure the satisfaction of consumer demand for tenderness, marbling etc. ILRIC utilises the world-class facility Tullimba where researchers can undertake practical research and demonstrate to feed lotters the potential benefits of new technologies and feeding systems.

ILRIC has access to particular skills in:

• Pre-boosting techniques to enhance performance of feedlot cattle, and
• Feed mixes and the importance of seasonal factors in influencing the productivity of lot-fed cattle.

As well as this research capability, ILRIC has established links with the Australian Lot Feeders' Association (ALFA), the industry's peak body.  ALFA actively advances the interests of the lot feeding industry through development of environmental approval standards, animal welfare, quality assurance, training and promoting the Industry.  It has worked within Australian governments since the 1970's to develop and introduce minimum standards for grain fed beef on the domestic market.

ALFA was also instrumental in having minimum standards for grain fed beef introduced into the Export Meat Orders in 1992.  ALFA coordinates annual conferences aimed at the management of feedlots, including the international conference and trade exhibition, BeefEx, which focuses on major issues confronting the industry in Australia and around the world, in particular the marketing of grain fed beef.

Through ALFA and other research and development programs ILRIC is able provide training activities that will ensure lot feeders are aware of emerging best management practices. Training workshops and seminars can be facilitated that are aimed at providing education to industry participants, in particular the operations staff at feedlots, using expertise from Australia and overseas.  Development of a feedlot industry for developing countries will require skills not only with regard to production activities within the feedlot, but also the accompanying activities that ultimately ensure sustainable integration at the local, regional and national levels.  A successful lot feeding industry will require the development of effective input (feed, supplements, animal health products etc) delivery as well as output distribution systems.  This will require transport infrastructure, cold-store, quarantine and animal health system development and support. 

ILRIC has the skills to design and implement a functioning lot feeding industry or assist with development of any part of the lot feeding system.

Back < Dairy Industry

Next  > Feedlots