Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits of Marbling beef?
Some cattle have a high propensity of accumulating intramuscular fat (IMF) and producing highly marbled beef. The IMF content varies depending on the feeding of time, finishing diet, breed type and genetics. In general terms, IMF increases when feeding time is increased. The rate of IMF increase in grain-fed cattle is faster than that in pasture-fed cattle although the ingredients in the feed rations have a larger bearing on the deposition of IMF. Fatty acid composition is also different depending on breeds. Wagyu, Angus and Hanwoo beef have higher proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) due to higher concentrations of Oleic Acid. MUFAs have little effect on total cholesterol. They are heart-healthy dietary fat because they can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Clinical trials have indicated that highly marbled beef does not increase LDL cholesterol. Research suggests that high oleic acid beef such as found in Wagyu beef might be able to actually reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
What is Organic?
The “new” standardisation of Organic Beef certification in the USA in 2002 increased the recognition and importance of organic beef on a global scale. However, in Australia, certifications became recognised in the early 1990s. Organic Beef must be certified by a globally recognised 3rd party authority and in Australia, strict adherence and audit programmes are in place to ensure producers meet individual country requirements. Organic Beef must not be raised using antibiotics, hormone growth promotants, artificial pesticides or herbicides and can only be raised under strict animal welfare standards. Producers believe this environment improves flavour and tenderness from a low-stress environment.
All pastures or feed supplementation such as silage etc when in drought conditions must also be strictly certified to meet organic standards.
Grain Fed vs Grass Fed?
As cattle approach market weight, there are two feeding methods that producers most commonly use to deliver beef products to their customers: “grass-fed” and “grain-fed”. In the “grass-fed” program, the cattle continue to eat grass right up to the time processing. Grass-fed cattle tend to be leaner than grain-fed. Grain-feeding produces cattle – pending the breed - with a higher percentage of marbling. In Australia, cattle should be fed for a minimum of 100 days on an ALFA registered feedlot to be classified as Grain-fed. Nutrition and feed ingredients can impact flavour and tenderness but provide the ability to present unique characteristics for different consumers preferences. Young cattle can be fed for 60-70 days and qualify as GFYG although it is not essential to label them as such. Programmes with “claims” such as grassfed or grainfed should be supported by independently verified programmes approved by AUSMEAT.
Is Natural and Organic the same thing?
The terms Natural and Organic are not interchangeable – they are not the same. Many producers of Natural Beef do not use hormone growth promotants and only feed on grass or pastures, and the product is often still very flavoursome. In some cases, natural can simply mean the product does not contain additives The difference is natural beef claims are not audited by internationally recognised third party programs under the same laws as Organic food production.