Born Bad!
Posted on 06/08/2004 8:10:40 AM PDT by wallcrawlr
Some cows are born bad, and some are born good -- and Cargill Inc. says it has found a way to tell the difference.
The Minnetonka-based agribusiness giant said Monday it has developed a technique that genetically identifies cattle with the best chance of becoming a plump, juicy steak dinner rather than a so-so burger.
Cargill's technology will allow the beef industry to better breed cattle with desirable genetic traits, including thickness and tenderness of meat, and to feed the animals accordingly. It also will allow food manufacturers to know exactly what kind of beef they are buying before an animal is slaughtered.
"That's the 'eureka,' " said Mark Klein, a spokesman for Cargill. "Today, you may not know what trait the cattle carries until you get inside the processing plant. But what if you have all of the information going into the feedlot? We can supply customers exactly what they want."
Two years ago, Cargill, along with MetaMorphix Inc. of Maryland, began mapping the cow genome and discovered specific regions or "genetic markers" that determine characteristics such as how fast a calf matures, how much it will weigh, and whether it will produce marbled or tender meat.
During the next 18 months, Cargill will use a prototype blood test to determine a calf's genetic potential for these desirable traits. The company has no timetable on when consumers might see such beef products on supermarket shelves.
Cargill's goal is not exactly new. For years, ranchers have attempted to breed cattle for the best genetic traits. There are also a handful of companies developing their own genetic tests for cattle.
But what makes Cargill's work stand out is the breadth of its genetic model, which will allow the company to identify a greater number of traits in a shorter amount of time, said Abel Ponce de Leon, a professor of genetics at the University of Minnesota. Klein said Cargill also can look at combination of traits.
Such technology could benefit the entire food supply chain, experts say. Ranchers could determine which cattle are likely to develop diseases or reproduce quickly. Feedlot operators will make better decisions on how to feed certain cattle. For example, a calf that will likely mature faster may not need as much feed as other cattle. Cargill might pamper cattle with a genetic propensity for producing high quality meats with more expensive feeds while just so-so cows get the cheaper stuff.
Manufacturers such as Hormel Foods Corp. of Austin, which operates a joint venture with Cargill, will be able to market beef products in supermarkets that are more consistent in quality, something that has eluded the beef industry for years, experts say.
If companies like Hormel play their cards right, they could create higher-priced brands for these products and consumers will likely buy more, said Benjy Mikel, a beef expert with the Institute of Food Technologists and a professor at the University of Kentucky.
But Cargill still has a long way to go before all of that happens, said Jim Tate, global marketing manager for Igenity, a livestock genetic services firm in Georgia. Cargill has only identified the regions where the genetic traits likely reside, not the traits themselves, which could take a year or so, he said.
"Cargill is basically saying they know there's a Ford pickup somewhere in Texas," Tate said. "But at least they know it's a Ford pickup and it's in Texas."
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Pre-desination BUMP
Hindu BUMP
PETA BUMP
BBQ BUMP
Gene Simmons puts Sizzle in steak.
Beef tongue is popular in Latin America...so it relates.
ping
BTTT!!!!!!!
With a cold one on the side.
Thanks for the ping, but I just don't know what to do with this thread. I am, however, getting hungry ...
WOOHOO!The perfect Porterhouse on the way!
From Moo to Yuu unless you're a pig lover...
This isn't genetic modification... this is merely selective.
Doesn't matter much to me... I buy the cheapest, toughest, least desirable cuts of beast and burn em slow and low.
When it comes to genetic engineering, I want a cross between a beefalo, a pig and a hickory tree. Throw a rack of that on the fire!
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