Implications are defined as “the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated”, or “inferred”. The nature of something refers to “the inherent and unchangeable character”. In the context of the Grain-Fed Beef Industry, it’s inherent characteristics are that it is a world-wide, ever-expanding economic activity where high value food source is contained in a feedlot system where cattle are confined and closely monitored. Beef is an important meat being the third most widely consumed meat in the world. The grain-fed industry is also characterised by it’s geographical diversity worldwide where stock in feedlots are fed on grain, and are not subject to drought and other natural disasters.
A technological development is “the systematic use of scientific, technical, economic and commercial knowledge to meet specific business objectives or requirements”. This development assists the grain-fed industry by development of vaccines for transmission of diseases in the closely confined environment of a feedlot, critical for ongoing health of stock. The Australian industry is one that embraces innovation and technology to assist in competition and profit, where demand for exportation and consumption has outstripped the ability of human labour to keep up with production.
Technology such as GPS tracking ensures animal welfare, and biotechnology and genetic modification assist breeding cattle with desired growth and carcass traits.
The Australian Story
The beef industry is Australia’s largest agricultural industry. The grain-fed sector now plays a major role within the industry to the tune of $2.7 billion in production value, employing around 28,500 people both directly and indirectly. Grain-fed beef is a world-wide industry, with feedlots ranging in geographical location from Texas, USA, South Africa, the Riverina and south east Queensland (Figure 1).
An accredited feedlot is accredited to run grain-fed beef feedlots, under the auspices of the Feedlot Industry Accreditation Scheme.(feedlots.com) There are around 450 accredited feedlots throughout Australia, in close proximity to cattle and grain supplies, such as South-East Queensland, the NSW Northern Tablelands and the NSW Riverina.
Australia’s beef industry in particular is considered one of the world’s most efficient producers of beef cattle, with production in all States and Territories. Cattle herd accounts for around 55% of agricultural farms. As a result, Australia is the world’s third largest exporter of beef. In 2017–2018 alone, 2.8 million Grain-Fed cattle
Figure 2: Lotfed cattle turnoff (2017-18) were marketed (feedlot turn- off) – representing 38% of all adult cattle processed (Figure 2)
Technological Developments on the Nature of the GFB Industry
Biotechnology and Genetic Modification
An example of a technological development in the industry is the genetic modification of cattle, particularly within the Australian Industry. Genetic modification (GM) is ‘the process of altering the genetic makeup of an organism’. GM developments in grain-fed beef have led to the expansion of exportation to broader international markets seeking particular carcass traits and desired growth in order to maintain a competitive stance within the red meat industry. Therefore the expansion, investment, research and development of new biotechnologies is crucial in the Australian Industry. The Australian Beef Industry as a whole has taken a proactive role in establishing the best approaches to penetrate mass markets overseas.
The use of biotechnology for physical traits is well established and Australia has the capacity to further develop genomes. The CSIRO conducted a case study concerning the modification of evolutionary growth traits, in this case being the horns of cattle. The CSIRO used DNA marker tests — a test that finds specific locations of genomes in order to verify ancestral genealogical relationships — of cattle from around the world, particularly Europe. This facilitates breeding of naturally hornless cattle. This process both assists in the transportation of herds, the wellbeing of cattle in feedlots and yards, and the labour-intensive process that workers have had to undertake both handling and cropping horns on live animals. The test was offered to the beef industry commercially in August 2010 and updated to adhere to further breeds in November 2013 making it more accurate across more breeds. This test not only improves the methods of breeding cattle without horns, but also will improve animal welfare and benefits industry. However, gene editing and modifying amongst consumers is not a widely accepted method of management.
A study was undertaken, assessing American public attitudes regarding the use of GM to produce hornless cattle. The results concluded a majority of responses, 80%, in the theme of “animal welfare”. Factors that were discussed were pain, quality of life, humane treatment,
Figure 3: American consumers responses towards cattle polling health, and affect. The results conclusively showed that consumers preferred the consideration of painlessness over their opposition of the genetic modification of animals due to factors such as naturalness and uncertainty. On the other hand some argue feedlots in the USA are bad for animal welfare and the environment producing feedlots where animals stand for hours in dirt and that these feedlots are very bad for the environment.
The CSIRO defines biotechnology as “the use of biological systems — living things — to make or change products”. Animal and livestock welfare is a key focus area of biotechnology, regarding the enhancement of breeding, and the prevention and treatment of diseases — vaccines, diagnostic tests. Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) invests over 2 million dollars per year on the development of new vaccines in the industry. A project led by the University of Queensland in correspondence with MLA, shows the investigation of a new and innovative vaccine regarding contraception for cattle. Not only has the vaccine replaced the need for spaying (sterilisation), but it is an effective, easy to use and welfare-friendly method allegedly good for the industry development where no cows produce any offspring.
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