Probiotics in feedlot ration boosts MSA eating quality index for Hereford producer
Queensland – A Central Queensland Hereford producer credits using an innovative probiotic in the feedlot ration with an increase in the eating quality score of his product.
The Sparkes family at Hornet Bank Pastoral Company has recorded its highest ever MSA index from a group of pure-bred Herefords using Terragen’s Probiotic for Ruminants.
The 50 steers and 73 heifers had 73 days on feed, in a trial in the family’s on-farm feedlot at Taroom.
The Hornet Bank Pastoral steers averaged a MSA eating quality index of 61.26, and the heifers 61.02. Both were well above the 2023/24 national MSA index average of 58.36, which is traditionally dominated by Angus and Angus cross cattle.
Producer, Alex Sparkes said Terragen’s Probiotic for Ruminants was easy to include in the ration and delivered positive results.
“The steers recorded an impressive ADG of just under 2kg per day but the key thing for us was that including the probiotic in our ration gave us the ability to turn-off an animal in just over 70 days with improved meat-eating quality,” he said.
The MSA index, within the Meat Standards Australia system predicts the eating quality of a whole carcase and is influenced by the MSA marbling score.
Produced in Australia by innovative agricultural biologicals company Terragen, Probiotic for Ruminants is a proprietary blend of microbes that supports animal health.
Terragen Chief Operating Officer and vet Dr Joss West said it can help maintain a balanced gut microbiota, which is crucial for efficient digestion and nutrient absorption.
“Controlled feeding trials in research settings have demonstrated that supplementation with Terragen Probiotic for Ruminants benefits carcase yield and quality,” she said.
“International probiotic feeding trials have also highlighted associations with improved carcase attributes and flavour so it’s valuable to see these outcomes being replicated in commercial conditions at Hornet Bank Pastoral Company.”
The Hornet Bank Pastoral Company trial replicates a Charles Sturt University trial from November 2024, where the Terragen Probiotic added $57 per carcase in value when compared to the non-treated carcase on a commercial Teys grid.
A sixth generation Hereford breeder, Mr Sparkes said optimising nutrition in the feedlot helps make sure the hard work and investment in genetic improvement pays off.
“If you take your animal all the way through and you fail at the last nutritional hurdle all your good work can be undone,” he said. “From my perspective that’s why the probiotics is really quite important because it gives you the ability to finish off the animal to its highest potential.”
Herefords Australia Chairman Marc Greening said increasing the MSA index creates more value for producers.
“We’re always looking to gain that further advantage in using products like Terragen’s Probiotics for Ruminants to enhance eating quality and maintain a consistent tender and profitable product for operators in Australia,” he said.
