After six years the Australian Brahman Breeders’ Association Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) field day finally yielded results to make Brahman breeders smile.
The project is a joint MLA and ABBA initiative with consecutive field days held on Mark and Belinda Wilson’s Banana Station, Banana, this year attracting about 50 keen cattle men and women to receive the latest updates on the BIN project.
Chairman of the ABBA technical committee Brett Coombe said the BIN provided a platform for extensive DNA data collection that ultimately increased market commercialisation.
“The project involves the systematic collection of observable characteristic information on economically important traits,” he said.
“Originally the project facilitated the independent validation of DNA markers relative to Australian breeds and production systems but now it contributes to the improvement of gene marker predictions and accuracy specific to Brahmans.
“We’ve attracted and evaluated sires that will influence the future of the Brahman breed so breeders will be able to take advantage of DNA marker technology.”
The project evaluated sires on a full range of traits including body weight, EMA, rump fat, fat colour, meat colour, IMF, shear force, rib fat, marbling, ossification, pH and hump height.
Of great interest to producers were hump height results, with MSA feedback from the progeny slaughtered during the project showing that contrary to popular opinion, hump height was not an indicator of high shear force or toughness in Brahman meat.
Instead, Teys Australia livestock buyer Matthew Noakes said marbling was the biggest influence on MSA grading that he saw in grass fed Brahman cattle.
“I’m not talking a Wagyu level of marbling, you only need a marble score two to get into boning group six- Brahmans normally have the rump and rib fat so it’s just a general finish level.”
Mr Noakes said producers would be financially better off aiming for boning groups eight and below that attracted a 45 cent premium.
“Make no assumption, look at the averages- 25 to 30 per cent of Brahmans fit into those lower groups so that’s the kind of grade you can aim for and expect,” he said.
“Hump height really shows nothing linked to shear force so Brahmans are well and truly capable of meeting those goals.”
“If you get your cattle finished properly hump height goes out the window.”