Getting the beef balance right

Genetics, feed additives, artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovations are now becoming commonplace as components in sustainable food production. Last month’s National Beef Conference attendees heard a presentation on the role of the myostatin gene in beef breeding from Dr Katie Quigley, geneticist, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). One of the biggest challenges in beef breeding has been the need to balance muscling with calving ease. Too big of a focus on one over the other, can have serious consequences ranging from higher birth difficulties and mortality to lower carcase weight and poor conformation. Neither outcome is optimal, so research into the identification of genetic components that optimise both traits has significant commercial advantages. The myostatin gene naturally regulates muscle growth and development. Research has shown that DNA variations within the myostatin gene are linked to calving difficulty and carcase merit. One of the most positive aspects of research outcomes into these myostatin variants is that they are found in many beef cattle breeds, including Aubrac, Belgian Blue, Charolais and Limousin.
It should be noted that the role of the myostatin gene, or its variants, is not the only driver of calving difficulty or carcase quality. Feeding, for instance, can be a significant influencer, as much so or potentially even more so than breeding, depending on management circumstances. As genetic research continues to advance, aided by AI technologies, the benefits for beef breeding can only increase over time.

As good as it gets

The medium-term outlook for beef prices is as good as could reasonably be expected, according to Rupert Claxton, meat director at Gira, whose National Beef Conference presentation focused on global beef markets and what is driving prices. He delivered an upbeat market assessment on global supply-and-demand trends that producers should secure reasonable beef prices for at least the next 12 months. He did include some comments on the challenges facing the sector, while also delivering advice on overcoming or at least mitigating those challenges.
Firstly, he confirmed that global beef supply is tight and, despite expectations to the contrary, consumer demand is holding up well. In a note of caution against any lax attitude towards existing market outlets, Rupert noted that several UK retailers, to which much of Ireland’s beef is still consigned, have included beef options from a variety of non-European sources during 2025, indicating a test-marketing initiative to establish consumer acceptance levels.
As a general market observation, Rubert said he expects little deviation from the current trend, either in Europe or globally. Long-term drought conditions continue to impact US cattle numbers, with additional market requirements being met from Canada and Mexico as well as Australia and New Zealand. He noted that Brazil is also exporting into the US, despite a current 76 per cent tariff imposition. That is a frightening assertion and suggests an ability by the Brazilian beef sector to supply product at prices that would put European and Irish producers out of business overnight.
Rupert believes that, in any case, the EU cattle herd is in long-term structural decline. At the opposite side of the equation, while he acknowledges that there will be a recovery in cattle production globally, increasing global demand for beef-sourced protein, most notably in Asian and Middle Eastern markets, should, to a considerable extent, negate those expected supply increases over the longer term. All things being equal, this market assessment suggests that a continuation of elevated pricing, though not perhaps, at current levels, can be reasonably expected. He suggested to cattle producers attending the Beef Conference that Ireland is well placed to produce more beef in a manner that is both environmentally and commercially (economically) sustainable. That being the case, he asserted that the status quo production/processing model needs re-engineering. That should, he proposed, include infrastructure rationalisation to deliver efficiencies, including a reduction in slaughter capacity, scaling up of cattle breeding farms, and further increases in specialised slaughtering units.