Akaushi bulls introduced into the Quality Graze project

A Japanese breed of bull is being cross bred with the Australian Droughtmaster bull in the latest trial to improve the quality of beef.

The Quality Graze project at the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) in Alice Springs, aims to improve land management and beef quality for the Northern Territory cattle industry.

Six Akaushi bulls have been introduced to the program to be cross bred with the Droughtmaster bulls to improve beef marbling.

The breeding program is the next phase in the 12-year program.

Members of the cattle industry were invited to learn more about the breeding program at an event in the AZRI Social Club in late August.

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Pastoral Production Officer Chris Materne said the program had found improved land conditions produced better quality beef.

Now the program wants to establish if bull genetics can further improve beef quality.

“The Akauhsi bulls are part of the next phase of the project we’ve been running for the past 12 years in the Old Man Plains Research Station,” he said.

“Looking at improved land conditions and in respect to premium beef production and what we’ve found over the years is we’ve been able to consistently produce high quality steers with our production system out there under recommended grazing practices so what we now want to do is see if genetics may have an influence on our meat quality.”

“The Akaushi’s, they are actually a Japanese breed and people would recognise the word wagyu, it is known for its quality especially its marbling. The red wagyu is slightly different in its genetic makeup. We got these bulls because an opportunity came up when I went to Western Australia and I started speaking to the CY O’Connor Foundation and they saw the performance of our steers and they were very interested to see how the Akaushi crossed with the Droughtmaster would go in central Australia.”

“Now what we want to see what we can do with marbling grass fed marbling. We do know the black wagyu does marble well on grain but the red wagyu apparently can marble better on grass.”