THE discovery of a new gene marker for marbling of beef will help cattle producers more accurately predict the genetic potential of their animals to produce better tasting, more valuable, beef, according to the CSIRO.
The discovery by CSIRO Livestock Industries’ scientist, Dr Bill Barendse, and his team in Brisbane, is the most recent in the team’s long line of gene marker discoveries for marbling and tenderness which have been subsequently commercialised by an Australian company, Genetic Solutions trading as GeneSTAR(tm) marbling and GeneSTAR(tm) tenderness.
This research was conducted in the Cooperative Research Centre for Cattle and Beef Quality with support from Meat and Livestock Australia.
Marbling - the fat inside the muscle of cattle - is a valuable trait in lucrative markets such as Japan and the USA, as it improves the eating quality of the meat, and is the most important single determinant of price.
For more information, contact Dr Bill Barendse at CSIRO Livestock Industries on (07) 3214 2444.