Breed Development
The Role of Genetics in Optimising MSA Carcase Compliance and Improving MSA Eating Quality Jake Phillips, Breed Development Officer
Approximately 3.8 million cattle were MSA graded through 39 Australian beef processors, representing 46% of the national adult cattle slaughter in 2019-20. This is an increase of 3% on the previous year. Historically Grainfed cattle have achieved the best carcase compliance to MSA minimum specifications which include having a pH of less than 5.71 and more Rib Fat than 3mm at the assessment site. During the 2019-20 year, Grainfed cattle achieved a 98% compliance rate to these specifications. The Grassfed cattle presented for MSA grading in 2019-20 improved their compliance rates from the previous year by 1% however still recorded only a 90% compliance rate to the MSA minimum specifications, indicating opportunity for improvement across industry ( Fig1).
Figure 1. The average MSA Non- Compliance to pH and Rib fat for all feed types: Source MSA AO Report 2019-20
MSA Price Premiums
Over the past decade the demand for beef that has passed MSA standards has grown exponentially to the stage now that many processing companies and indeed brands of beef offer not only a price premium for these cattle but also a premium for animals with a superior MSA Index eating quality outcome. As reported in the 2019-20 MSA Annual Outcomes Report, an average of $0.27/kg ( Fig2) or $75/ head premium could be achieved over a 279kg carcase, however a recent study of current processing grids suggest a larger price difference with a Southern Australia processor offering $0.30/kg - $.80kg across its MSA compliant grades of cattle and a central NSW processor offering premiums between $0.70/kg - $1.10/kg.
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These recent premiums from April price grid offerings suggest the per head premium is more likely to be between $200/head and $300/head for over the hooks consigned MSA compliant carcases also meeting the company specific requirements. The 279kg average carcase weight for MSA consigned cattle reported by MLA in 2020 has also recently been projected to be 3% higher during 2021 in their recent industry projections due mainly to improved seasonal conditions and also a reduced turnoff of cattle. The price premiums on offer for cattle producers consigning MSA eligible cattle during 2021 have arguably never been so attractive and consequently the difference between compliance and noncompliance is sparse.
Figure 2. The average price premium for MSA compliant cattle in 2019-20 Source: MSA AO Report 2019-20
MSA Index underpins Branding
Key parameters regarding cattle management have long been known and continue to be validated by industry regarding the contributing factors to a carcase complying to MSA minimum specifications. More recently there has also been significant research and extension as individual brands create a point of difference around premium eating quality outcomes for their customers. These on farm management strategies have seen widespread adoption of nutrition management, preparing cattle for slaughter techniques and low stress stock handling to maximise the amount of Glycogen stored in the carcase, a critical factor in how the carcase will grade to MSA standards.
