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Quiet cows best for steak
7 Aug 2003
CSIRO Livestock Industries says quiet, mild-mannered cows produce better tasting steaks than their temperamental mates. And not only do quiet cattle taste better, they lower production costs as they're easier to handle and gain weight faster.
CSIRO scientists have developed a test to help farmers identify their quiet, tastier cattle from more aggressive animals, which produce tougher beef. Dr Heather Burrow says flightier animals don't have enough glycogen, a sugar which helps break down the muscle after slaughter.
Cattle are given a "flight test", which measures the time an animal takes to leave a container. The results give an indication of whether it is mild mannered or testy. The faster it leaves the container, the tougher it's likely to be. CSIRO also found that these animals in feedlots tend to stand back at feed times and thus don't put on weight as quickly.
Dr Burrow said brahman cattle tend to be the most mild mannered, with limousins and charolais more temperamental.
The Daily Telegraph, 7/8/03, page 25.
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