Unlike other beef quality issues identified in the audits , this one has yet to
Since 1991 , the Beef Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Audit ( NBQA ) has delivered a set of guideposts and measurements for cattle producers and other stakeholders to help determine quality conformance of the U . S . beef supply . Early NBQAs focused on the physical attributes of beef and beef by-products such as marbling , external fat , carcass weight and carcass blemishes . These cattle industry concerns have evolved to include food safety , sustainability , animal well-being and the growing get better .
From the CEO
Colin Woodall
Did you know there are cattle producers in this country who use birdshot to move cattle ? I can ’ t believe we have to have this discussion , but it is critical that we do . More importantly , it must stop . Peppering the backside of an ornery bull or cow in hopes of flushing them out of the brush is unacceptable , and it violates everything we stand for in caring for our cattle . I expect many of you reading this are surprised to learn that some producers are pulling the trigger and blasting away . However , we have feedback and data showing it is a significant industry problem .
As a contractor to the national Beef Checkoff , NCBA conducts the National Beef Quality Audit . The 2022 audit results determined that foreign objects found in beef are making it through the beef supply chain and , ultimately , being found by some customers . Imagine the joy of a beautiful cut of beef only to have that excitement dashed when you find birdshot pellets . All packing plants that participated in the audit reported finding foreign objects during the harvest and fabrication of market cows and bulls . A majority of the plants reported that their customers found foreign objects in the beef products they received . We have also had foreign customers complain about foreign objects being found in the beef we have exported to them . This kind of feedback tells us this is not a random problem . In fact , it has been an issue reported in previous National Beef Quality Audits . Unlike other beef quality issues identified in the audits , this one has yet to get better .
Foreign objects include more than just birdshot . Other foreign objects discovered include buckshot , bullets , wire , needles , darts and other objects . Every packing plant reported finding birdshot , though . Every single one . For comparison , only 18 % of the packing plants reported finding needles . One might think hunters are responsible for the birdshot . Knowing a few hunters myself , I do believe that could be a small part of our problem . However , there is no way hunters with poor aim or a lack of respect for livestock account for every cow and bull processing plant finding birdshot in the carcasses they process .
There is a state Beef Quality Assurance ( BQA ) coordinator who I love to watch give presentations about this issue . She is firm with
PUT THE SHOTGUN DOWN
the audience and not afraid to tackle this issue head on . After calling out the problem , she explains why peppering cattle with birdshot is unacceptable and publicly challenges them to stop . I usually watch the crowd when she gets to that part of her presentation because the reactions are priceless . Most of those in the audience are appalled , but you always see a few who start to look down at their boots . This is not a hunter issue , this is our issue .
We have spent so much time and effort on beef quality over the years . Just look at the increasing percentage of beef grading Choice or Prime . It is amazing to see what we have done , and our consumers are responding by keeping demand high for our product . The Checkoff-funded research team works on beef product quality projects every day . The product quality research program is one of the foundational research programs funded by the Checkoff and includes the study of beef quality , muscle traits and characterization , carcass traits , muscle tenderness and yield , flavor and palatability , and new technologies . The product quality research program utilized Checkoff funding to help discover and fabricate the now popular and ubiquitous Flat Iron Steak .
The research team utilizes the results of the National Beef Quality Audit to determine the next challenges they need to tackle . A few pages further into this edition of
Unlike other beef quality issues identified in the audits , this one has yet to
Since 1991 , the Beef Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Audit ( NBQA ) has delivered a set of guideposts and measurements for cattle producers and other stakeholders to help determine quality conformance of the U . S . beef supply . Early NBQAs focused on the physical attributes of beef and beef by-products such as marbling , external fat , carcass weight and carcass blemishes . These cattle industry concerns have evolved to include food safety , sustainability , animal well-being and the growing get better .
PATHWAY disconnect between producers and consumers .
As a result , over the past 30 years , NBQA researchers have made significant changes to the research , leading to an increasingly meaningful set of results . With supply to a Successful Future chain disruptions and a backlog of cattle due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the data from the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit was collected under extraordinary circumstances and stands apart from previous ( and future ) audits . Weather impacts , such as drought across most of the country , also impacted 2022 NBQA results . It is important to note that data was collected at a specific point in time and results provide a representation of what was occurring in the industry at that time .
The NBQA provides an understanding of what quality means to the various industry sectors , and the value of those quality attributes . This research helps the industry make modifications necessary to increase the value of its products .
In-plant research captured data on quality and yield grade attributes and carcass defects and compared it with that of the previous surveys to assess progress in improving quality . It also provided a benchmark for future beef industry educational and research efforts .
Transportation , mobility and harvest floor assessments evaluated various characteristics that determine quality and value , including the number of blemishes , condemnations and other attributes that may impact animal value . Transportation and mobility observations were recorded on roughly 10 % of all trailers arriving at each beef harvest facility , and approximately 23,200 carcasses were evaluated on the harvest floor .
According to audit interviews , since 2016 the industry has increased efficiency , however , animal and carcass data show that larger cattle resulted in increased bruising frequency and hot carcass weight while mobility scores have decreased . Ultimately , interviews suggest the industry is producing a high-quality product that consumers want more efficiently than five years ago . The following is a summary of results from individual interviews and in-plant research , as well as implications for the industry .
Cows and bulls are the foundation of cattle herds . They are also sources of beef that are significant and worth understanding .
PATHWAY
The beef industry conducted its first Market Cow and Bull Audit in 1994 to complement the National Beef Quality Audit for Fed Cattle . That initial Market Cow and Bull Audit found that carcasses had excessive bruising and were often condemned , too many market cows and bulls were disabled prior to harvest , cows and bulls frequently had inadequate muscling , and animals were often not marketed in a timely manner . Since then , the industry has made significant improvements in herd management techniques ; animal well-being and handling ; injection-site location ; and mobility . to a Successful Future
2022 National Beef Quality Audit for Fed Cattle
The 2022 research assessed progress in managing these issues and suggested improvements for increasing the value and marketability of cows and bulls . The audit consisted of individual interviews , in-plant research and a strategy session that allowed industry members to weigh in on the areas of most importance , direction for future efforts and how goals could be accomplished .
With supply chain disruptions and a backlog of cattle due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the data from the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit for Market Cows and Bulls was collected under extraordinary circumstances and stands apart from previous ( and future ) audits . Weather impacts , such as drought across most of the country , also impacted 2022 NBQA results . It is important to note that data was collected at a specific point in time and results provide a representation of what was occurring in the industry at that time .
2022 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During the NBQA Strategy Session , more than 70 individuals representing every sector of the beef industry met to review results of the research and use data to develop ideas to improve industry in the future . Outcomes from that meeting provide quality guidance to the industry for the next five years .
PATHWAY to a Successful Future
2022 National Beef Quality Audit for Market Cows and Bulls
During the NBQA Strategy Session , more than 70 individuals representing every sector of the beef industry met to review results of the research and use data to develop ideas to improve industry in the future . Outcomes from that meeting provide quality guidance to the industry for the next five years .
National Cattlemen you will find the first of three articles that detail work the research team is leading on yield grading . This is exciting research that probes improving the yield grading equation which hasn ’ t been updated since the original work was done in the 1950s and ‘ 60s . This team never stops in their quest to improve beef products and improve producers ’ opportunities to reap the rewards , but we must help them . If you use a shotgun loaded with birdshot shells to move cattle , then I am asking you to stop . If you know somebody who is doing this , please speak up and ask them to stop . We have more than enough challenges coming our way these days . Let ’ s not do things that make it even harder on ourselves . I ’ ll end where the title started … put the shotgun down .
6 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org