DESPITE challenging conditions last year, Queensland cattle producers punched above their weight and had the highest number of cattle grade Meat Standards Australia (MSA) nationally.
Meat and Livestock Australia statistics revealed that over one third of the state’s adult cattle slaughtered last year hit the MSA grade - 1.35 million of the 4.3 million.
“It is an impressive figure, but even more impressive because of the conditions most producers are facing,” said MSA Operations Manager Terry Farrell.
MSA is a beef and sheepmeat eating quality program, with minimum requirements based on PH, meat colour and sufficient fat cover, designed for consumers.
Compliance has sat steady at 93pc nationally, and there has been an increase in the MSA index introduced last year to provide meaningful eating quality feedback.
The national average for 2014 was 57.61 and this increased by 0.84 points over 12 months – a significant increase in eating quality.
“I really think from where we’re sitting what was most surprising and satisfying was the increase in the index,” Mr Farrell said.
“In a hard year, not only were producers able to supply cattle, but they also improved the eating quality.
“This gives them a pat on the back they deserve.”
The improvements were mainly due to a growing awareness and understanding of what was important in terms of breeding traits, stock handling, animals to graze well and a better understanding of processor and customer requirements.
“It is [also processor] company specs, which can be a source of contention, but the reason they are there is to achieve an eating quality outcome for the processor’s brand.”
Mr Farrell said the latest statistics did help blow away a few myths about breeds of cattle not being able to meet MSA.
“One interesting point in MSA is we don’t capture breed. We are more interested in the attributes that make up a positive eating experience.
“So there are all types of cattle that can meet that specification and, to be honest, that Queensland does well with its MSA grading results is pretty indicative of that, as it has a cross-section of cattle.”
The returns have also been positive for producers, as MSA yearling cattle in Queensland received the greatest average premium of 40c/kg compared to 32c/kg in 2013-14.
Meat colour non-compliance and high pH were the key issues as to why beef carcases did not meet MSA standards.
Mr Farrell said being fed well and careful transport with low-stress stock handling techniques were important in minimising this.
“A couple of years ago we did the long-distance trial and changed the slaughter requirements as a result.
“The biggest impact wasn’t the time the animal spent on the truck – it was the loading and unloading and the time spent in the pens.”
