June 1, 2007

UK group undertakes project to invigorate beef industry

A new research project is brewing in Aberystwyth in United Kingdom aimed to provide major benefits for both British producers and consumers of beef.

UK research firm Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) has launched ProSafeBeef project which is aimed to "reduce microbiological and chemical contaminants in beef and beef products and to enhance quality, choice and diversity in the beef chain from farm to fork in order to boost consumer trust and invigorate the industry." 

The project is worth 1 million euros (US$1.34 million).

According to Professor Nigel Scollan, the research has concluded that raising beef on a diet of natural forage crops will retain its appealing red colour longer than concentrate-fed beef when both are kept under conditions designed to simulate display on a supermarket shelf.

Scollan said cattle fed on grass takes 15 times more vitamin E per day than on a typical concentrate diet and levels in the meat can be between two to three times higher as a result.

He said the IGER team has also linked forage feeding with raised levels of beneficial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in beef whilst other ongoing studies are investigating claims that grass-fed beef also has a flavour advantage.

Scollan added the results will enable the beef industry to deliver innovative, novel and improved fresh beef and beef products, especially from lower value beef cuts.

The results are also expected to benefit producers looking to restore profitability following the ending of production-based studies.

Under the project, IGER is working in collaboration with another 42 leading research and industrial organisations from all over Europe, as well as Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Canada.