British beef has got it all figured out yet again

Apr 7 2008 The Journal

FOR the second year running the quality of English beef has shown clear improvements across the board.

These are the results of the latest annual carcase classification figures from English Beef and Lamb Executive.

According to the new EBLEX figures, 48% of prime beef carcases met the preferred ‘R4L or better’ specification during 2007.

That is the result of the industry body for beef and lamb levy-payers in England studying the MLC classification reports for more than 200,000 prime cattle slaughtered in England last year.

This compares with 46% of carcases meeting the specification in 2006 and 41% in 2005.

More detailed analysis reveals year-on-year improvements in the leanness and conformation of both steers and heifers.

Steers showed a particularly encouraging degree of conformation improvement. Only young bulls suffered a decline in conformation.

Consolidating the gains of recent years, comfortably over 50% of all classes of carcase met the ‘R or better’ target for conformation.

In addition, over 90% of steers and 80% of heifers met the ‘4L or leaner’ target for finish.

MLC meat scientist, Kim Matthews said: “This underlines the value of improved breeding and management across the national herd.

“Encouragingly, these quality improvements were achieved at the same time as a increase in average carcase weights for all classes.”

At 343kg in 2007, steer carcases were fully 4kg heavier than 2006 while bulls were 3kg heavier at 330kg and heifers 2kg heavier at 299kg. Equally, the improvements were secured despite the not inconsiderable movement and marketing disruptions of foot-and-mouth disease.

While happy with the figures, Eblex believe their is still room for improvement.

Kim added: “With over half the carcases failing to meet both the preferred conformation and leanness targets there clearly remains considerable room for improvement in responding to the demands of the modern beef market within current production constraints.”

:: Practical guidance to support continued improvements in carcase quality is available free of charge to English levy payers through the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme, accessible at www.eblex.org.uk