An interesting presentation comparing striploin steaks from in-spec and out of spec cattle was delivered by ABP Food Group’s cattle procurement team members John Kelly and James Hickey at the ABP Demo Farm open day which took place yesterday (Wednesday, September 11).
The event drew large numbers of farmers and industry personnel to the farm in Co. Carlow to get an overview of the calf to beef operation on the farm, and also to hear advice and guidance relevant to beef farms heading into winter 2024/25.
As well as the representatives from ABP and the Advantage Beef Programme farm liaison team, ruminant support specialist at Brett Brothers Ltd, Dr. David Lawrence and Blackwater Veterinary Clinic’s veterinary surgeon Liam Carroll (DVM) also delivered presentations on animal nutrition and animal health respectively.
Companies including JFC, Agritech, Certified Irish Angus, Irish Hereford Prime and Artificial Insemination (AI) companies were in attendance, as well as representatives from Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).
In the video below, John Kelly from the ABP livestock procurement team demonstrates the difference in steak quality based on the grade of the respective animals:
Kelly told farmers in attendance that he has seen average carcass weights back 30-35kg for steers and 20kg for heifers this autumn and emphasised the importance of assessing cattle in a handling unit before drafting cattle for slaughter.
ABP’s John Kelly and James Hickey examined a range of cattle in the cattle crush on the ABP Demo Farm and outlined the cattle which were fit for slaughter and the cattle which require additional feeding.
To further demonstrate the importance of this procedure, Kelly showed farmers a striploin steak from a short-fleshed animal and noted how these steaks are less desirable to consumers.
He also presented a steak from an over-fat animal and showed the surplus fat on the subsequent striploin steak and how this impacts the visual appearance of the steak.
Farmers were also shown an “ideal striploin” from an R3 grading animal and Kelly said “the striploin has a perfect covering of fat on it. It’s going to be able to go into any retailer or restaurant”.
Stay tuned to Agriland for further reports from the ABP Demo Farm open day.