Relationships between carcass and beef quality and components of herd profitability in northern Australia

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of a project established to examine a pivotal issue in Australian beef cattle genetic improvement: "Can we change carcass and beef quality attributes by selection without unduly compromising key fitness traits like reproductive performance and adaptation to harsh environmental stressors?" Industry outcomes from the project are targeting multiple traits and multifaceted strategies for improving carcass and beef quality, feed efficiency, female fertility and adaptation to tropical environments, and use of tools such as Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), genetic (DNA based) markers, ultrasound scanning and meat processing and cattle management strategies. Results to the questions being asked by the project will be available by 2006.