Three Murray Grey producers have decided to combine science with cow sense to produce the best beef they can.
Following this year’s Calgary Stampede steer show, cattle were entered in a carcass competition where the Australian breed showed its real strength as a beef machine.
Sixteen Murray Greys entered the competition of 57 carcasses representing seven breeds. They were judged by Canadian Grading Agency staff who do not know the breed or entrants. Six Greys placed in the top 11 with the grand champion award going to the Red Neck Stock Club of Beiseker, Alta., for the second year in a row.
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Bruce Knight, one of the three club members, has been in the Murray Grey business for more than 30 years and has collected carcass data on his bulls for years. A high number have produced well marbled beef, considered a high quality attribute.
“With the British bred cattle, 35 to 40 percent of them already have that marbling genetic in them. We know the Murray Greys over the years have always marbled well,” he said.
Knight has won four championships at Calgary with his crossbred and fullblood Murray Greys. Working with Cameron Schmaltz and John Mick, they selected three steers each year in October, had them DNA typed and placed in a feedlot where they all received the same ration until show time. The cattle were also scanned with ultrasound for further quality assessments.
The group worked with Igenity to see if DNA markers were present for marbling and tenderness. The trick is knowing whether those quality genes will express themselves as the animal grows. The Igenity profile relies on a sample of blood, hair or semen and scores the animal on a scale of one to 10. In a group of animals with a score of 10 for grade quality, it is expected more than half will score AAA compared to those scoring one.
“We’re finding out if the science works,” said Knight.
As a minor breed going up against the fancy, heavier black steers, there is always stiff competition. The Greys do not usually place high in the live show.
“Murray Greys are not real show type steers. They are just average steers that we select,” he said.
“We are not worried about the grooming aspect. We are not in the hairdressing business. We say we are in the meat business.”
