Page 51 - SevenHills Angus 2021 Catalogue eBook
P. 51
TOUGH CATTLE
TENDER BEEF
Our breeding goals at Seven Hills Angus are firmly focused around two
consumers, firstly you the beef farmer, and secondly the consumer of our
NZ beef...
The Consumer of NZ Beef The second part requires a bit more planning
– these requirements should be on that list:
Let’s start with the discerning beef purchaser
who demands a superior eating experience Low maintenance cost cow and the main
every time. indicator currently is the Mature Cow
weight EBV.
Globally marbling is seen as the major
contributor to flavour in beef. All beef grading Fertility – the main drivers of fertility are
systems (including Beef EQ and AngusPure) mating heifers at 14 months and then re-
have marbling as a major component of the breeding. Look at the number of calves a
grade index. cow has had and her dam, plus the Days
It starts with measurable taste. Add to that to Calving EBV.
meat colour, pH, fat colour and ossification. Growth – as much as possible in the cow
size you determine is appropriate.
Now you have a product quantified by
measurable traits that consistently (98%) Eye Muscle Area – muscle is weight and
EMA helps increase carcass weight. More
deliver an eating experience to discerning
purchasers of beef worldwide. is better.
Fats – 1. Marbling/IMF is the good fat or
the taste fat. Select for higher IMF. 2.
The Beef Farmer Rib/rump fats are the outside fats. It is
We like our bulls to look like bulls, our cows required for chilling the meat correctly and
to produce a live calf every year that grows having some softness/cover on our cows
quickly into profit. but is very expensive to produce – the
The first part is easy - buy bulls you like the balanced approach is good.
look of – no science, just good old eye Carcass Weight – the higher the better
appraisal. your steers weigh on the hook, 50% is
ordinary with 58–60% more than
achievable. The carcass weight EBV is a
major profit driver.
