Jeyaruban, M Gilbert

Johnston, David

Walmsley, Bradley J

2017

MSA Index (MSA_I) predicts overall eating quality of a carcase from predictions of tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall liking based on extensive consumer taste panel studies. Prices paid by processors for MSA graded meat are consistently higher than non-MSA graded cattle. There is significant industry pressure to determine the level of genetic control for MSA_I. This study used data from Angus (ANGS) and Brahman (BRAH) BIN cattle to estimate genetic parameters for MSA_I and their genetic and phenotypic relationships with key carcase and meat quality traits. Heritabilities for MSA_I were 0.50±0.09 and 0.49±0.16 in ANGS and BRAH cattle, respectively. In ANGS, genetic correlations between MSA_I and carcase weight (CWT), carcase rump fat (CP8), ossification score (OSS), MSA marble score (MSA_M), shear force (SF) and meat colour L (Col_L) were 0.41±0.12, 0.02±0.15, -0.22±0.18, 0.96±0.02, -0.33±0.19 and 0.40±0.16, respectively and in BRAH, were 0.12±0.21, 0.19±0.24, -0.51±0.20, 0.94±0.05, -0.18±0.25 and 0.46±0.21. Similar trends were observed in the correlations between MSA_I and carcase and meat quality traits in both breeds. This study showed that MSA_I has a very high genetic association with MSA_M and, to a lesser extent, OSS in both breeds. Selecting for higher MSA_M and lower OSS will genetically improve MSA_I of carcases of ANGS and BRAH cattle, and the addition of MSA_I as an additional trait in the evaluation would contribute almost no additional information about meat quality or value.

Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.22, p. 313-316

1328-3227

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23445

Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)

Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of MSA Index and its Association with Carcase and Meat Quality Traits in Angus and Brahman Cattle

Conference Publication

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