The effects of growth promotants in fed cattle are causing concern at Cargill, which operates one of the two major cattle processing plants in Western Canada.
Steve Molitor, head of procurement for Cargill Meat Solutions, told cattle feeders at a Jan. 25 feedlot conference that aggressive use of hormone implants and beta-agonists will reduce the amount of top quality beef available to consumers.
“What double A and Select was 10 years ago is not what double A and Select is today,” said Molitor.
“We take the top tier of Select and we move it into a certain market, and so if you go into a regular retailer and it’s double A (beef), it’s probably the bottom double A and the eating experience is not near what it used to be.”
Growth promotants are used extensively in feedlots to increase the rate of gain so animals reach slaughter weight more quickly using less feed. Research has determined growth promotants can toughen beef, affecting the consumer’s eating experience.
Molitor said beef will fail to deliver on the promise of taste and tenderness and demand will erode if growth promotants are used too aggressively.
One feeder asked how feedlots could compete without using growth implants, given the narrow margins on which they operate.
“I don’t have an answer for that one, at the end of the day,” said Molitor.
---- Randy would like to add -"And does Molitor really give a rats ass about the feeder or the cow calf producer in this dysfunctional conventional beef ? cattle industry " LOL
He said packers will eventually give feedlots a signal on when or if to use implants, but that might take awhile.
He encouraged wise use of implants, perhaps on higher quality animals so carcass grade loss won’t be as severe.
Molitor said tight beef supplies are causing prices to rise, and consumers will reach a point where they won’t pay more for beef without guaranteed taste and tenderness.
“We’re going to get prices very, very high and at some point (consumers are) going to make choices, if we’re going to be willing to pay that much for something that has a one out of two good eating experiences,” he said.
“People will change their habits. We won’t eat as much beef tomorrow.”
Meat scientist Sandra Gruber of Elanco told the conference that implants may be a necessity to economically produce enough beef to meet demand, but moderation will be key.
“There’s different combinations, different products that we can use to help moderate or balance the benefit that we get from production efficiency without long-term beef demand detriment,” she said.
Molitor also said maximum residue levels of growth hormones have been established by some countries, which limit export opportunities. However, production efficiency is a major driver in using growth promotants.
Steve Molitor, head of procurement for Cargill Meat Solutions, told cattle feeders at a Jan. 25 feedlot conference that aggressive use of hormone implants and beta-agonists will reduce the amount of top quality beef available to consumers.
“What double A and Select was 10 years ago is not what double A and Select is today,” said Molitor.
“We take the top tier of Select and we move it into a certain market, and so if you go into a regular retailer and it’s double A (beef), it’s probably the bottom double A and the eating experience is not near what it used to be.”
Growth promotants are used extensively in feedlots to increase the rate of gain so animals reach slaughter weight more quickly using less feed. Research has determined growth promotants can toughen beef, affecting the consumer’s eating experience.
Molitor said beef will fail to deliver on the promise of taste and tenderness and demand will erode if growth promotants are used too aggressively.
One feeder asked how feedlots could compete without using growth implants, given the narrow margins on which they operate.
“I don’t have an answer for that one, at the end of the day,” said Molitor.
---- Randy would like to add -"And does Molitor really give a rats ass about the feeder or the cow calf producer in this dysfunctional conventional beef ? cattle industry " LOL
He said packers will eventually give feedlots a signal on when or if to use implants, but that might take awhile.
He encouraged wise use of implants, perhaps on higher quality animals so carcass grade loss won’t be as severe.
Molitor said tight beef supplies are causing prices to rise, and consumers will reach a point where they won’t pay more for beef without guaranteed taste and tenderness.
“We’re going to get prices very, very high and at some point (consumers are) going to make choices, if we’re going to be willing to pay that much for something that has a one out of two good eating experiences,” he said.
“People will change their habits. We won’t eat as much beef tomorrow.”
Meat scientist Sandra Gruber of Elanco told the conference that implants may be a necessity to economically produce enough beef to meet demand, but moderation will be key.
“There’s different combinations, different products that we can use to help moderate or balance the benefit that we get from production efficiency without long-term beef demand detriment,” she said.
Molitor also said maximum residue levels of growth hormones have been established by some countries, which limit export opportunities. However, production efficiency is a major driver in using growth promotants.
Comment