LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – As new international beef markets open up, some producers feel they need to alter their herds to meet the whims of the overseas trade.
But that is risky business, says one meat scientist.
“Exports are increasing but you have to make a decision as to whether you breed for that market,” said Don Kress at the international beef symposium.
“Do we drastically change a breeding program for an export market?” asked Kress, who works at Montana State University.
It is not wise for a lot of producers to alter their programs for these markets because they are costly and inefficient ways to produce, said Kress.
If a producer opts to produce beef primarily for Japan, cattle must be fed longer and carcasses must be 850 to 950 pounds with more fat marbling.
Before breeding cattle for Japan, the producer needs to have alliances in place to ensure someone will take the beef, said Kress.
