News
Reids' faith in Limousins (7 Feb 2012)
AFTER a lifetime of dairying and breeding stud Jerseys, Robert Reid could have been forgiven for hanging up his work boots.
But the 70-year-old has re-invented himself as a stud Limousin breeder, supplying bulls into the fertile North East valleys for vealer production.
Weekly Times
Finishing systems put to economic test (2 feb 2012)
A three-year trial underway in Queensland is examining the economics of four different finishing systems for cattle - improved pastures, leucaena, oats and grain feeding.
Beef Central
US herd decline our gain (2 Feb 2012)
A BIGGER than expected drop in the US herd may offer a small reprieve for Australian beef exporters facing falls in Japan and Korea, analysis suggests.
The US industry is still reeling after a USDA report counted beef cattle numbers at their lowest in 60 years.
Stock Journal
Research cherry-picks beef (30 Jan 2012)
MUSCULAR cattle are more likely to produce the cherry-red coloured steaks preferred by consumers, according to new Beef CRC research conducted at Murdoch University.
Queensland Register
Beef production to reach record high (24 Jan 2012)
BEEF and veal production will reach a record 2.197 million tonnes in 2012, up 2.2 per cent on 2011.
The industry's forward projections released by Meat and Livestock Australia yesterday attribute the production climb to the run of good seasons that have favoured the grazing sector since 2010.
Stock Journal
Breedplan beef up on track (20 Jan 2012)
Cattle producers will soon be able to more accurately identify animals with superior genetics for a range of commercially important traits.
The Beef CRC and Meat and Livestock Australia have announced that the new genomic predictions for carcase and beef quality, feed efficiency and female fertility traits such as puberty, first-calf re-breeding and lifetime reproductive performance in tropically adapted cattle breeds will be incorporated into Breedplan from May of this year.
Beef Central
Research: fatness can impact on heifer conceptions (13 Jan 2012)
Selecting for low rib fat as a way of boosting carcase meat yield may be linked to a reduction in maiden heifer conception, research conducted in the Beef CRC Maternal Productivity project indicates.
The project work, led by associate Professor Wayne Pitchford of the University of Adelaide, found that selecting for low rib fat Estimated Breeding Values to boost carcase meat yield reduced maiden heifer conception rates by more than 8 percent.
Beef Central
Draft national dietary guidelines recommend lean red meat (16 Dec 2011)
The new draft national dietary guidelines continue to recommend lean red meat as a nutritious food and part of a healthy diet.
In a move welcomed by the National Farmers’ Federation, the draft guidelines revised by the National Health and Medical Research Centre (NHMRC) do not refer to the environmental sustainability of individual foods. Instead, the need for expert advice and consideration of the Australian context of food production is acknowledged in considering the environmental impact of food choices.
A maximum of 455g per day of lean meat (including pork) is recommended, due to evidence linking red meat with colorectal cancer. This amount is consistent with an intake of red meat three to four times a week (with serve sizes of 100–150g). Although men may need to reduce their current intakes, past surveys suggest children and pregnant women will need to eat more to meet their iron requirements.
MLA, through its nutrition portfolio, will be working on a submission in response to the draft dietary guidelines to determine whether red meat has been appropriately represented. “It’s important for the red meat industry to make sure the guidelines accurately represent the evidence supporting the role of red meat in the Australian diet, as they influence consumption habits,” said Veronique Droulez, MLA Marketing Manager Nutrition.
The draft dietary guidelines are open to public consultation until February 2012.
Meat & Livestock Australia
Research: Muscling part of dark-cutting complex (12 Dec 2011)
More heavily muscled cattle are more likely to produce the cherry-red coloured steaks preferred by consumers, according to new Beef CRC research conducted at Murdoch University.
Meat displaying the trait of ‘dark-cutting’ was very dark in colour, dry to the taste, spoiled quickly and had variable tenderness, said Beef CRC researcher Dr Peter McGilchrist, a lecturer in Production Animal Health and Management at Murdoch University.
Dr McGilchrist’s research discovered that increased muscularity in beef cattle is strongly associated with a reduction in dark cutting, a Beef CRC release issued this morning said: “The relationship between increased muscling and reduced dark cutting is a very important finding for the beef industry,” Dr McGilchrist said.
Beef Central
China buys SA Limousin bulls again (11 Dec 2011)
South Australian Limousin
bulls will be flying off to China in the New Year. The 12-man Chinese
delegation, including the governor of the purchasing province near the
Russian/Mongolian border, chose well muscled young bulls by mainly French
sires. Bulls are for an AI centre.
Posted by Carole Carole Burden
Changes to website (9 Dec 2011)
Members can now comment on articles, and in an open blog forum raise, discuss and debate topics of interest or concern.
Limousin dominant in the UK (3 Dec 2011)
UK focus on quality over past two decades reinforces Limousin's dominance, according to a recent survey.
Kyneton sale topped again by Limousin (2 Dec 2011)
Leon Martin (Le Martres Limousin Stud) is believed to have topped the Kyneton store sale again on 30 November with:
- 18 Angus x Limo black steers average 296 kgs $720 ($2.43 kg)
- 4 Angus x Limo red steers average 300 kgs $770 ($2.57kg)
- 12 Shorthorn x Limo steers average 232 kgs $645 ($2.78kg )
Market Research (updated 1 Dec 2011)
Market research conducted in December 2010 by Limousin Muscle Alliance members indicates that the weekly demand for high grade Limousin weaners and yearlings far exceeds demand throughout Eastern Australia.
This research identified the following numbers required weekly in the three States:
- Victoria. Over 4,000 head mainly 180 - 240 kg dressed weight, 2-8 mm fat.
- New South Wales. Over 3,000 head, 180 - 240 kg dressed weight, 2-6 mm fat.
- Queensland. Approximately 1,000 head, 180 - 240 kg dressed weight, 2-6 mm fat.
These numbers will increase as more processors, wholesalers and butchers are identified. A high percentage of the above numbers is for the very lean (2- 4mm fat) types required by Asian and European restaurants and communities.