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Australian beef is widely considered to be of very high quality. The country's beef industry is committed to sustainability, biodiversity, and environmentally sustainable land management practices. The Australian meat industry is also committed to the highest level of animal welfare and the humane treatment of livestock. The country's National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) helps Animal Health Australia (AHA) trace cattle in the event of disease or other food-related incidents. In addition, the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system focuses on the eating quality of specific cuts, with regards to tenderness, juiciness, and flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grading system | Meat Standards Australia (MSA) |
| Number of category ratings | 1 to 100 |
| Factors considered | Breed, use of growth hormones, pH, age, beef marbling |
| Cattle feed | Grass-fed, grain-fed (barley, wheat) |
| Welfare standards | Stringent, renewed every four years |
| Welfare standard developed in | 2005 |
| Sustainability | High |
| Halal beef | Yes |
| Tighter grading | Less variance and less chance of getting a bad product |
| Cattle health | Cattle are healthy and well looked after |
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What You'll Learn
Grass-fed vs grain-fed
Australian beef is considered some of the highest-quality beef available globally. The Australian beef industry produces a variety of beef, including grass-fed, grain-fed, organic, lean, and breed-specific beef.
Grass-Fed Beef
Grass-fed beef comes from cattle that have only grazed on grass and other edible plants in their environment. In Australia, most cattle are considered grass-fed, and they spend the majority of their lives in pasture-fed environments. The grass-fed label is given to beef from cows that have grazed on pasture their entire lives. Grass-fed beef is said to have a more complex flavour and softer fat. It is also said to be healthier, with a higher level of Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
Grain-Fed Beef
Grain-fed beef comes from cattle that have been fed a mixture of grass and grain throughout their lives. In the latter part of their lives, grain-fed cows eat mostly an unnatural diet based on corn and soy. Being fed on grain can increase the amount of intramuscular marbling in the animal, making the meat more tender and flavourful. Grain-fed beef usually has hard white fat and a buttery, more subtle flavour.
The choice between grass-fed and grain-fed beef ultimately comes down to personal preference. Grass-fed beef is known for its complex flavour and softer fat, while grain-fed beef is known for its marbling and more subtle flavour. Grass-fed beef is also considered healthier, with higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. However, grain-fed beef is more consistent in flavour and quantity, making it popular in the hospitality sector.
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Beef grading systems
Australia has two beef grading systems: Meat Standards Australia (MSA) and AUS-MEAT. MSA is the latest system for grading Australian beef, which was introduced in 1999. It is a voluntary program that grades beef on a scale of 1-1100, with larger numbers signifying better quality meat. MSA grades beef based on several factors, including breed, use of growth hormones, pH, age, and marbling.
The AUS-MEAT system, on the other hand, uses a 0-9 scale, with 0 being the lowest quality and 9 being the highest. This system is similar to the BMS (Beef Marbling Standard) used in the Japanese Wagyu grading system. AUS-MEAT considers beef with a rating of 3 to 7 to be of average quality, while a rating of 0 to 2 is considered lower quality. The highest-quality Australian beef will have ratings of 8 or 9.
The MSA system is more commonly used for Australian Wagyu beef, as it is more widely known and has been in place longer. However, both systems are still used to grade Australian beef, and MSA is regulated by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
Australia's beef grading systems are more complex than those in the US, which has only three category ratings: Prime, Choice, and Select, based solely on marbling. In comparison, Australia's MSA system considers a broader range of factors and provides a more detailed assessment of beef quality.
The MSA system also aligns with Australia's commitment to sustainable and ethical practices in the beef industry. Australia leads the world in pasture-based, grass-fed beef and recognizes the importance of soil for pasture-based livestock farming. The country has implemented initiatives like the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) to ensure the health and safety of its citizens and the humane treatment of livestock.
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Animal welfare standards
Animal welfare is critical to the sustainability of Australian farms, feedlots, and processors. The country's red meat industry adheres to strict guidelines that ensure livestock is raised with proper nutrition, good mustering and transportation practices, and a minimum of stress.
The Australian government is working with states and territories to develop and implement nationally consistent standards and guidelines for farm animal welfare. These standards are designed to be implemented in state and territory legislation, providing clarity and consistency in animal welfare requirements across the industry. The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines update and replace the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in specific animal industries. The standards are accompanied by voluntary guidelines that set out recommended practices for the care and husbandry of animals.
The Australian red meat industry has been proactive in creating new programs and frameworks to support its commitment to best-practice animal health and welfare. For instance, the Livestock Production Assurance program helps farmers demonstrate that their on-farm handling of livestock is consistent with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines. The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, launched in 2017, and the Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework, launched in 2021, define sustainable production and track the performance of key priorities, including animal welfare, over time.
Australian red meat producers are committed to caring for their animals and want them to be as pain and stress-free as possible. They are proud of the industry standards they have established to prioritize animal health and well-being. These standards apply to anyone responsible for the care and management of livestock and are based on current scientific knowledge, recommended industry practices, and community expectations.
The Australian red meat industry works tirelessly to look after their animals, ensuring they have the best quality of life. Good animal welfare practices also positively impact meat quality. By emphasizing keeping animals stress-free, Australia's world-leading eating-quality program delivers the highest quality from paddock to plate.
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Taste and texture
The taste and texture of Australian beef are influenced by various factors, including feed, grading systems, sustainability practices, and animal welfare standards.
Firstly, the type of feed that cattle are raised on significantly impacts the flavour and texture of the resulting beef. Australian cattle are predominantly grass-fed, with approximately 97% of cattle being grass-fed due to abundant grazing pastures. Grass-fed beef tends to have a stronger, more classic "meaty" flavour and is leaner than grain-fed beef. It also has a wider variety of complex flavours and textures due to seasonal and geographic variations in the cattle's diet. The high beta-carotene content in grass contributes to the stronger flavour of the fat in grass-fed beef.
In contrast, grain-fed beef, such as wagyu, is known for its signature melt-in-your-mouth texture and tenderness. Australian grain-fed cattle are primarily fed barley and wheat, which can lead to more consistent flavour and texture profiles.
Secondly, Australia's grading system, Meat Standards Australia (MSA), plays a crucial role in ensuring taste and texture consistency. MSA considers various factors, including breed, use of growth hormones, pH, age, and marbling, to determine the tenderness, juiciness, and flavour of the beef. This comprehensive grading system, based on almost 800,000 taste tests, helps maintain excellent quality and consistency from production to consumption.
Additionally, Australia's commitment to sustainable practices and high animal welfare standards also contributes to the taste and texture of its beef. The Australian meat industry manages emissions, water use, biodiversity, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable land management practices. These sustainable practices result in some of the most delicious beef in the world, according to The Meat & Wine Co. Australia also has stringent animal welfare standards, with guidelines and regulations in place to ensure the ethical and humane treatment of cattle, further contributing to the overall quality of the beef.
In summary, the taste and texture of Australian beef are influenced by a combination of factors, including the predominance of grass-fed cattle, a comprehensive grading system, sustainable practices, and high animal welfare standards. These factors contribute to the reputation of Australian beef as some of the highest-quality and most delicious beef available worldwide.
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Sustainability
Australia's beef industry has a large environmental footprint. It is a major contributor to the country's economy and is the second-largest beef exporter worldwide, generating around $8.4 billion. The industry also uses 43% of Australia's landmass, with over 63,000 farming businesses involved in beef production.
The industry's environmental impact is significant, with cattle production being costly to the environment. The clearing of native vegetation for cattle pastures has led to wildlife habitat loss, and poor grazing practices have resulted in excess sediments entering waterways and damaging ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef. The industry is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
However, efforts are being made to improve the sustainability of Australian beef production. The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) aims to ensure the industry is socially, environmentally, and economically responsible. The ABSF has made strides in improving health and safety practices for humans and livestock, with increased use of pain relief for invasive animal husbandry procedures and good agricultural practices. The industry is also working towards 100% access to shade for cattle in feedlots by 2026.
The ABSF has also contributed to reducing the industry's environmental impact. Since 2005, there has been a significant reduction in net CO2e emissions, with a 58.21% decrease recorded in 2019. Native vegetation regrowth has improved, with an increase in forest cover on grazing properties, and 7.6 million hectares of land set aside for conservation. Water usage per kilogram of live weight gain in cattle raising has also decreased.
WWF-Australia is also working to improve the sustainability of beef production in the country. They are developing pilot projects with key sustainability indicators and methods for verifying sustainable beef production. WWF-Australia has also helped secure over $200 million in funding to improve water quality and support graziers in adopting best practices to reduce the impact on the Great Barrier Reef.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian beef is considered some of the best in the world due to its high quality and taste. The cattle are predominantly grass-fed, which results in a more varied and complex flavour profile.
Grass-fed beef tends to be leaner and is a good source of iron and zinc. It also has a stronger flavour due to the high beta-carotene content in the grass.
MSA is a voluntary grading program that predicts the quality of Australian beef. It was developed with consumer taste in mind and considers factors such as breed, use of growth hormones, pH, age, and beef marbling.
Australian beef is generally considered superior to US beef due to its flavour and quality. The US grading system places more emphasis on intramuscular fat, which is more prevalent in grain-fed beef. In contrast, the MSA system focuses on the eating quality of specific cuts, including tenderness, juiciness, and flavour.
The Australian beef industry is committed to sustainability and has implemented practices to manage emissions, water use, increase biodiversity, and reduce waste. The Australian government is also funding research to further reduce emissions from livestock while maintaining quality standards.
