Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
12-13-2001
Abstract
The National Non-Fed Beef Quality Audit – 1994 (NNFBQA-94) was conducted to benchmark the quality characteristics of market cows and bulls in the beef and dairy industries for purposes of encouraging implementation of quality management practices within the beef industry. From this audit, it was determined that producers were losing $69.90 for each market cow and bull harvested due to quality defects. As a means of recovering the lost value, producers were provided three means by which they could begin to recapture the lost value: 1) Manage market cows and bulls to minimize defects and quality deficiencies, 2) Monitor the health and condition of market cows and bulls, and 3) Market cows and bulls in a timely manner. The audit, now referred to as the National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit – 1999 (NMCBBQA-99), was conducted again in 1999 to determine the quality and consistency of market cows and bulls and to measure improvement in quality and consistency since 1994. Specifically, objectives of NMCBBQA-99 were to 1) identify and quantify, numerically and monetarily, the incidence of quality defects in U.S. market cows and bulls, their carcasses and offal items; 2) characterize as many as possible of the causes of quality defects in market cows and bulls; 3) compare the results of the NMCBBQA-99 to the NNFBQA-94; and 4) identify strategies and tactics to pursue and employ efforts to reduce/eliminate specific defects in the quality and consistency of market cow and bull beef.
Comments
Published for Proceedings, The Range Beef Cow Symposium XVII December 11, 12, and 13, 2001 - Casper, Wyoming.