Droughtmaster Forum

Carbon emissions from cattle

2010-12-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

If you believe that cattle contribute carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, you should reconsider the entire carbon cycle.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is used by grasses and herbs in photosynthesis, to create new growth. Assuming that the pastures are not over-grazed or fertilized, then there is no other source for the carbon than from the air. So, all the carbon atoms in a beast came from the air.

Some carbon returns to the air in flatulence from the animal. Since there are no new carbon atoms heading back to the atmosphere from cattle which did not originate from air anyway, there cannot possibly be any nett addition of carbon to the atmosphere due to cattle in a healthy grass-fed system.

Remain skeptical of pseudo-scientific bunkum.

ULTRASOUND SCANS FOR EMA

2010-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

It is odd how all the vendors in the bull sales are required to do ultrasound scans for eye muscle (LMA = longissimus dorsi muscle area), since the readings on bulls aged 24 months are almost all approximately 100 to 120 cm2, and the inherent accuracy of the machine + operator is within 10% of the quoted figure, which means that all the readings are the same, within the limits of accuracy, ie 110 plus or minus 11.
In a study of 30 cattle scanned by 8 operators Robinson et al 1992, Journal of Animal Science state' Correlations with carcass data averaged .92 for rump fat, .90 for rib fat, and .87 (ie-with 87 to 92% accuracy) for EMA. Residual Standard Deviation averaged .81 mm, .88 mm, and 5.1 cm2(ie EMA was within 5 cm2 either side of the figure in 2/3 of cases). A very experienced sonographer can measure EMA only marginally less accurately than it can be measured on the carcass.'
Is the net result that we are all paying money for nothing?
Adding to the complexity of this issue is the fact that no commercial producer gets paid for the eye muscle in their draft of steers or heifers at the meatworks. They are paid for kilograms of beef in the carcase by weight and number, so all they want in a bull is one that produces:
1. more calves
2. heavier calves.

DROUGHTMASTER SOCIETY

2010-06-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

The main function of a droughtmaster stud must always be to provide quality and quantity of seedstock for the commercial cattle industry.
As demand for more droughtmasters is increasing commercially, one important role for the society is to encourage and promote by way of incentives, an increase in the quality and quantity of registered females, and an increase in members. I am not sure that the society has done enough in this area so far. What else do you think the society could do to encourage growth?

Forum

2010-06-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

Please add your comments on any issue here.

2010-06-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Bos Indicus Content

Droughtmasters combine the best features of the brahman with the best Bos Taurus features, resulting in excellent survival and excellent meat quality. It is increasingly evident that pure brahman cattle are less accepted in the meat marketplace, with reduced saleyard and grid prices compared with softer types. I saw the brahman bulls really struggle like never before in the 2010 FAB sale and I wonder if the droughties will eventually take over the mantle of the most numerous breed in Queensland because of this. We have had a number of commercial operators who have had pure brahman for decades, now asking for DM bulls. What do you think?

Droughtmasters are defined as roughly 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos Taurus. I read in the John Boydell book on droughtmasters, that cattle with 50% content outperformed those of 75% indicus content in a large trial. I like to see plenty of content in my Parawanga herd, for protection against tick, as our properties are all within 50km of the coast. I especially prefer the soft, smooth sleeker coat type. What do you think is the right mix for you?