Meat Production Must Balance Sustainability and Efficiency

By Peter E. Lauridsen | Vestjyske Veterinarians | Published in the Magazine Kødkvæg July 2024

Cattle are unique in their ability to convert lignocellulosic biomass into valuable protein. Although beef cattle have the lowest production efficiency compared to other cattle and livestock (Mottet et al. 2017), most measurements do not account for the fact that beef cattle produce high-quality protein from feed ingredients that are largely unsuitable as food for humans and other livestock species.

Beef and milk from cattle and bison are estimated to account for about 45 percent of the global protein supply for humans, and demand is rising. Although the beef industry is often criticized for its high grain consumption, only 7-13 percent of the world's beef production is based on grain-feeding systems. Even in systems where grain is fed, the grain often consists of the part of the crop that does not meet the quality requirements for approval as human food. Improving the efficiency of beef production increases producers' profitability and reduces their environmental impact measured by production intensity.

Genetic selection (genomic testing) continuously improves the potential efficiency of beef production in beef cattle, while the expressed welfare traits are determined by the animals' feeding, environment, management, and host microbiomes (the early established gut flora).

Strategies are needed to improve the sustainable intensification of beef production to meet the growing demand for beef. Extensive beef production in Denmark also has potential, as there is still demand for animals for nature conservation.

Bulls or Steers

The choice between fattening intact bulls or making steers depends largely on how intensive the production is to be and what is intended to be used as feed.

A good reason for castrating your bulls is access to grazing or nature conservation. The animals become generally easier and safer to handle and can be used for grazing "anywhere," and the herd can consist of steers and heifers together.

The difference in taste and composition of beef can to some extent be attributed to the sex and age of the slaughtered animal. Intramuscular fat increases with age and is highest in heifers and lowest in bulls, with steers in between.

When the bulls should be castrated can be debated. The timing of birth or purchase of the animals also plays a role. Ideally, the bulls should be castrated at three to four months of age, where the effect of being a bull has had some impact on the average daily gain during the milk-feeding period. Veterinary costs for castration increase with the age of the animals. Castration should be performed before the start of the grazing season for practical reasons. Bulls born in December are castrated in March and join the herd on pasture in April/May. The aim is to have large animals in the barn for only one winter. To achieve the steer premium, the animals must be slaughtered at an age under 30 months and with a slaughter weight of at least 130 kilos.

Nature Conservation, Climate, and Biodiversity

In discussions about biodiversity, nature conservation with extensively kept cattle for grazing is mentioned as very effective. Biodiversity and climate may seem to counteract each other when we include cattle as grazing animals. However, the benefits for both climate and biodiversity are apparent as long as we can minimize the import of overseas beef.

In nature conservation, the choice of steers has been natural, as the animals become very calm and sociable after castration and can be mixed with heifers in grazing herds. The growth is primarily based on grazing and benefits biodiversity with low stocking density by leaving bushes and areas with varying short and long grass, while also providing access to manure, especially for insects. There is slower and more varied growth in the animals, contributing to a different composition of the carcass in terms of muscle and fat. The meat's aging after slaughter is positively affected in terms of tenderness and taste, due to the animal's age and the absence of male hormones. Nature conservation agreements open access to alternative marketing opportunities for slaughter animals because of the "good story."

Beef Cattle Breeds

The most commonly used extensive beef cattle breeds in Denmark are Galloway, Hereford, and Angus, as well as Dexter and Scottish Highland Cattle, which are known for being frugal and hardy. Galloway is particularly suitable as a year-round grazer on natural areas.

The intensive breeds include Limousine, Charolais, Simmental, and Blonde d’Aquitaine. They have higher maintenance feed requirements, and for cows, they can primarily manage on pasture without supplementary feed during the dry period. In Denmark, intensive breeds are typically kept on pasture from arable land with supplementary feeding in the barn.

Slaughter Animal Premiums

You can receive subsidies for heifers, bulls, and steers under 30 months that are either slaughtered at an approved Danish slaughterhouse or sent for slaughter in another EU country. Minimum slaughter weight is 130 kilos.