Genes for tenderness

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:39 pm

Has anyone tested their Dexters for calpain and calpostatin genes?

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 5:53 pm

Oh Sylvia! Please explain .. I know nothing at all about Calpain & calpostatin genes
Jo

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:27 am

Jo

This came to light in a newsletter we get sent in Wales and related to Welsh Black cattle. The test is known as GeneStar (put it in your search thingy) and the test conducted by Genetic Solutions. Apparently both genes have an effect on tenderness, one relates to marbling, if cattle have both genes their meat should be more tender. However the conclusions in the article are fairly guarded. I thought the best test was what your butcher told you when meat is collected!! Also if it could be proved that Dexters have tenderer meat, we in Wales would have to keep quiet about it or the WB owners would be most upset. ???

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:58 pm

Somewhere in the dephs of my foggy brain, I recall reading that Dexters do have the tenderness gene. Whether they have two, I don't know. The American publication "Stockman Grass Farmer" is an amazing cutting-edge magazine that has a lot of information about tenderness and beef (as well as other topics related to grass-finishing). There is a lot to this subject and the tenderness gene is only a small part of it. Dexters are truly an excellent choice for grass-finishing, excellent bone-out ratio and quality beef. But then, you didn't need me to tell you this!

Kathy

Carol K · Post by **Carol K** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 1:18 pm

This link http://www.bovigen.com/ shows some Dexters that have been tested in the USA, It would be a good marketing tool for beef sales.

Carol K