Recent changes to abattoir grading systems, and reduced upper weight limits for carcasses, have the potential to have a significant impact on beef production systems and the choice of genetics used within the suckler herd. The success of breeding programmes and indices focussed on lean meat output and eye-muscle size has resulted in continental-sired cattle easily achieving lean carcasses at heavy weights (over 450kg deadweight). This has been readily adopted by beef producers to maximise output for both the suckler breeder and finisher, but has created growing problems in the meat industry as muscle size, particularly for high value steaks, has led to serious issues with pack size and portion cost. In response to these challenges a growing number of abattoirs have responded by implementing upper weight limits on carcasses (many of these limits had been in place previously but never rigorously applied) in an attempt to pull down the number of carcasses causing significant problems. This has seen upper limits reduced from 450 to 420 and even 400kg deadweight. There are discussions ongoing which suggest this limit may be reduced even further by certain abattoirs.
This creates a bit of a problem for breeders of continental sires. The very success of maximising lean gain may well create a scenario which generates greater uptake of smaller, native breeds.
The maximum weight issue is big enough without the additional concerns being raised by the increasing use of VIA grading in abattoirs and the apparent increase in the number of very lean (fat grades 1 and 2) carcasses, particularly for young bulls. We are now in the scenario where the top continental-sired barley bulls, which cannot be sold before 12 months as beef, have a carcass weight in the penalty band but yet have not achieved sufficient fat cover to be sold. You could argue that continental breeders have been too successful in achieving their goals!
So, what is the future for the continental sire?
The table below highlights the crux of the issue – that continental sires are associated with improved output of the steer and heifer; the issue is one of how to manage the progeny to fit market specifications.
Arguably, one of the greatest inefficiencies within the UK beef industry is our sub-optimal output from heifers; any move away from continental sires threatens to exacerbate this. Whilst there is no doubt that the abattoirs need to control the specification of their input we are in the fortunate position where there is scope for the industry to compensate for the potential loss of output arising from lighter steer carcasses by focussing on improving the output from heifers. The same issue of lean carcasses which must be addressed for steers creates a huge advantage in producing greater levels of lean output from the heifer.
So, what can be done?
The following graph shows the variation in output from Scottish finishers producing Charolais cross steers. You can see the spread being presented to the abattoir (and possibly why they are imposing restrictions!) but you can also see that there are a number of producers using the Charolais breed to produce average steer carcass weights within specification and at the same time utilising the excellent rapid growth associated with the breed.
In particular I have highlighted the producers targeting steer carcasses between 380 and 420kg, but also achieving below average days to slaughter. If the strength of the breed is to be demonstrated by fast, efficient growth, these producers provide a potential blueprint for the management strategies required in future.
One such breeder & finisher is Pete Watson, Darnford, Aberdeenshire. Pete, with great input from an enthusiastic family, utilises the Charolais to great effect to maximise output from both steers and heifers. The Watsons have a planned management and nutrition strategy to achieve adequately finished, average 380kg carcasses below 600 days of age.
A key to the success at Darnford is the separation of males and females for feeding and management. This allows a tailored programme to be created taking into account the very different requirements of heifers and steers. The diets are all home mixed, giving flexibility to vary starch and protein levels at key stages of development.
Key features in the Darnford system:-
o Calves: calves are fed a low-starch creep feed to avoid early fat deposition.
o Yearlings: a reasonably high protein diet (15-17% CP), again with limited starch, is fed to encourage lean growth and frame development.
o Cattle are turned out for a limited grazing season followed by full finishing rations after cattle reach 500kg lwt.
o Steers are fed a low protein, high starch finisher.
o Heifers are fed a higher protein, lower starch finisher
All animals are allowed to grow to achieve adequate frame size before being intensively finished.
Another feature of the herd which aids management is the tight calving pattern maintained on the farm. This helps simplify management with even groups of cattle to work with.
The results at Darnford demonstrate the ability of the Charolais to produce excellent carcass weights in both steers and heifers. The combination of rapid growth and high average slaughter weight maximises output from the cow and ensures maximum production efficiency. Whilst there is no doubt that the current changes in maximum slaughter weights will lead to a potential reduction in the output of the beef herd, producers must not lose sight of the importance of output from both the steer and heifer. Continental sires, and in particular the Charolais, have an important role to play in efficient beef production – now is not the time to be reducing output.
Above Left: Willie Thomson
Harbro Technical Director
Above right: David MacKenzie
Harbro Sales Manager
Willie Thomson
Technical Director | Harbro Limited | +44 (0) 1888 545204 | +44 (0) 7836 570190 | Willie.Thomson@harbro.co.uk
Markethill | Turriff | AB53 4PA | t: +44 (0) 1888 545200 | f: +44 (0) 1888 563939 | www.harbro.co.uk