Improved beef marbling can be achieved without reliance on Wagyu genetics, according to the latest results from the Beef Quality Co-operative Research Centre experiment, carried out at Kooba Station in southern NSW.

The study also revealed that higher yielding genotypes can deliver carcases of acceptable eating quality and are likely to deliver higher returns to producers in most current markets.

The NSW study is part of a four State, southern Australian project designed to find the best combination of genetics and nutrition for different areas, and their effects on meat quality and subsequent profitability.

NSW Department of Primary Industries livestock officer, John Irwin, said the trial involved growing out steer progeny of various breeds, followed by 100 day feedlot finishing to produce carcases to suit sections of the local and export markets.

"Steers with high yielding potential were produced using sires selected from Charolais and Limousin breeds, as well as from Angus with high EBV for retail beef yield," he said.

"Steers with high marbling potential were provided from sires of Black Wagyu or Angus with high EBVs for intramuscular fat.

"Additional steers with high potential for both traits were sired by Red Wagyu from Angus with appropriate high EBVs.

"At weaning the steers were placed into either a high or low growth group and pasture fed to group averages of 400 kilogram feedlot entry weight."

From birth to weaning, Mr Irwin said fast and slow growth rates did not significantly impact on carcase traits, but sire carcase traits did create differences.

"Marble score across the different sire progeny groups showed Wagyu and Angus intramuscular fat were similar and that, as expected, European sired steers had the lowest marble scores," he said.

"The results indicate there is little value in using Wagyu genetics over selected Angus sires with high EBV’s for intramuscular fat, if a higher marbling carcase is the target.

"However, many breeds and types can achieve the level of marbling currently required for the domestic market, so using sires with high marbling potential will depend on the targeted market.

"Many breeds and types can achieve the level of marbling required for the domestic market, so sires do not necessarily need to be selected for high intramuscular fat."

Samples taken from individual animals at slaughter were tested for eating quality by a taste panel.

"Most carcase types had acceptable eating quality, even those with low marble scores," Mr Irwin said.

"As expected, those steers produced from European sires had higher retail beef yield and, combined with higher carcase weights, should produce an expected higher dollar return.

"Using genotypes with high growth rate and yield is likely to remain the most profitable option for beef producers until premiums and discounts are instituted for meat quality attributes."

Contact John Irwin, Yanco, (02) 6951 2630.