Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Rhonda Miller on the morning of April 3, 2008. Committee members attending were Keith Belk, Chris Calkins, Rodney Kott, Richard Mancini, Rhonda Miller, Dennis Olson, Jim Oltjen, Justin Kastner, and Adviser Thayne Dutson. Non-members attending were: Linda Cox, University of Hawaii, Glen Fukumoto, University of Hawaii, John Ryan, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and Betty Spence, Hawaiian Cattle Producers. Linda Cox presented information on the state of agriculture in Hawaii with emphasis on the cattle industry. Thayne Dutson, adviser, announced that the W-2177 has been approved until 2012 and if new members are added to the committee, they would need to complete Form E. He also announced W-1117 project is complete with the termination report that was submitted with the W-2177 project application. Business Session 1. New Officers: Chair, Ronda Miller; Vice-Chair, Mariah Ehmke; Secretary, Dennis Olson. 2. Meeting for next year will be the week of March 30 or April 6, 2009. The location is yet to be determined with possibilities in Colorado, Kansas or Texas. Program Committee members reported on recent work that at their respective universities that relate to the project objectives. These reports are included below. John Ruan made a presentation on the Hawaiian Trace-back Project, which includes Inspection, Track and Trace, Lab Analysis and Sensor Development. He also discussed chipless RFID where the RF is in the ink. He referenced a website. www.impinj.com/files/impinj Glen Fukumoto made a presentation on the Beef Cattle Initiative of the College of Agriculture and Human Resources. He referenced the website www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/paniolo On April 4, 2008, the committee members toured the historic Parker Ranch. Discussions at the Parker ranch included management systems for cow/calf operations in an island setting and marketing systems. The Parker Ranch marketing system included their cooperation with Country Natural Beef that is a third party Food Alliance Certified system, based in Oregon that traces cattle from birth to the consumer. Submitted by Dennis Olson, Secretary Elect.

Objective 1 University of Nebraska: Hyperspectral imaging is a technology that works in the same wavelength of light associated with near infrared (NIR) technology, except that spectral reflectance is gathered on each pixel in an image instead of the spectral reflectance being gathered as the mean of all pixels in an image (such as is done using NIR). Our research has applied hyperspectral imaging technology as a means to predict beef tenderness from an image of a ribeye steak. The system correctly partitioned steaks into acceptable and unacceptable tenderness categories over 96% of the time. Beef samples with off flavor were subjected to detailed analysis using mass spectroscopy. Results revealed that lipid oxidation was primarily associated with off flavors, as samples with the strongest off flavor had the most lipid oxidation. Iowa State University: Profiling beef round muscles for tenderness and postmortem proteolysis. Definition of characteristics of individual muscles from the round will make it possible to consistently add value to individual cuts. The objective of this study was to determine the biochemistry underlying the differences in tenderness of specific muscles of the round. Ten beef cattle were slaughtered and the longissimus dorsi (LD) and the round muscles gracillus (GR), adductor (AD), sartorius (SAR), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus intermedius (VI) were removed. Samples were aged 1, 3, 7, or 14 days. Objective tenderness measurements (star probe) and western blots for troponin-T to determine protein degradation were preformed. The vastus lateralis and the adductor muscles were tougher than the other muscles throughout the aging processes and generally had less proteolysis occurring. The gracillus, satorius and vastus intermedius muscles were similar to the longissums dorsi muscles in tenderness although there were differences in the degree of proteolysis that occurred during the aging process. These data show that physical and biochemical differences exist between individual muscles of the round and may provide insight on ways to add value to individual cuts. Colorado State University: Effects of 1/3, 1/2, and full dark-cutting discounts on other carcass muscles (Bass et al., 2008) were examined using commercially harvested beef carcass sides classified by a USDA-AMS grader (n = 20 per group). Twenty-nine muscles of each carcass side were evaluated to determine ultimate pH and color (L*, a*, and b*). Fourteen beef muscles (biceps femoris, deep pectoral, chuck complexus, gluteus medius, infraspinatus, latissimus dorsi, psoas major, longissimus thoracis, longissimus lumborum, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, triceps brachii long head, tensor fasciae latae, and vastus lateralis) were evaluated using Warner-Bratzler Shear force (WBSF) and a trained sensory panel. The muscle x DEGDC interaction was significant for ultimate pH, L*, a*, and b* values (P < 0.05). When ultimate pH values of individual muscles were compared to the same muscles evaluated in a previous study, the 1/3, 1/2, and full DEGDC had 7, 9 and 5 muscles, respectively, that fell within a computed 95% prediction limit of what would be considered "normal" pH, but were more variable as measured by within class CV's. Color values (L*, a*, and b*) of the muscles from dark-cutting carcasses were numerically lower than those from "normal" carcasses. A survey designed to determine the ideal color range of beef lean for retail meat merchandisers (n = 34) and foodservice chefs (n = 33) across the United States resulted in data analyzed using principle components analysis of L*, a*, and b* values for muscles dissected in the study to estimate true values for dark-cutting carcasses. Muscles that were within an acceptable color value range for foodservice chefs had potential to add between $42.29 to $26.44 and $14.71 to $8.11 per side when valued at Choice and Select prices, respectively. Muscles that were within an acceptable color value range had potential to add between $30.39 to $16.74 and $10.37 to $5.03 per side for retail meat merchandisers when acceptable muscles were valued at Choice and Select prices, respectively. No muscle x DEGDC interactions were detected for WBSF and sensory panel scores (P > 0.05), but differences were detected among muscles (P < 0.05). Several muscles were considered salvageable from the dark-cutting carcasses evaluated and no significant differences in sensory scores or WBSF between DEGDC classes suggested equal sensory expectations for muscles from dark-cutting carcasses. Due to the ever increasing size of U.S. beef carcasses, a study was conducted to produce innovative fabrication techniques and corresponding yield data for merchandising ribeyes and striploins from extremely heavy muscled beef carcasses. The study used four classes of carcass ribeye area (REA) as selection criteria with n = 10 sides for each class of carcass REA. The classes of carcass REA were: < 96.8 cm2, 96.8 to 102.9 cm2, 103.0 to 109.5 cm2, and > 109.5 cm2. After the carcass side selection was completed, NAMP #112A ribeye rolls and #180 1 1 boneless striploins were removed. Ribeye rolls and striploins were further fabricated into innovative cuts developed by foodservice chef focus groups; the main objective of the innovative cuts were to produce foodservice products that could be more easily managed and prepared, as well as better fit the portion sizing characteristics preferred by todays dining consumer. Yield data were collected on each innovative cut in addition to dimensions (length, width, and height) and volume. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and significance was determined at ± = 0.05. A short overview of the results of the analyses demonstrated a rather consistent break point of 96.8 cm2 and greater for the size of carcass ribeye from which to fabricate ribeye rolls and striploins into more innovative cuts. In most cases, cuts from the smallest class of carcass REA (< 96.8 cm2) were different (smaller) in size or dimension than the three larger classes of carcass REA (P < 0.05); however, no differences were reported between the three larger classes of carcass REA (P > 0.05) in most cases. Upon derivation of the cuts and production of the yield information, chefs from an international culinary institute produced preparation methods for each cut and demonstrated the many uses of the innovative ribeye rolls and striploins. Innovative fabrication styles allowed for more consistent lean product to be produced while also producing a smaller and more manageable portion of beef from a relatively large subprimal. Texas A&M University: Miller is implementing a project with a soft- and hard-ware company in cooperation with beef cattle nutritionists to identify animals and growth performance through the production system. This research has been initiated and no data or results are available. University of Wyoming: Research led by Dr. Min Du examines the effect of a maternal protein supplement during gestation on calf weight gain and meat quality. It is long-recognized that maternal nutrient restriction (NR) affects fetal development in humans. This has long-term consequences in the postnatal health of offspring. It is equally possible that NR affects the growth performance of livestock. Frequent drought in Wyoming and surrounding states results in a significant reduction in forage production. Due to the seasonal reproduction, cows at small farms and ranches in these areas frequently experience nutrient deficiency during early to middle gestation, a period when nutrient supplementation is seldom performed. Our preliminary studies indicate that this maternal nutrient deficiency affects fetal skeletal muscle development, reduces the muscle mass of offspring, and increases fat accumulation. Objective 2 Michigan State: Work is under review regarding US, Canadian, Japanese, and Mexican preferences for food safety and tenderness beef attributes. Additional work under review which includes an examination of factors influencing US, Canadian, and Japanese consumer food safety risk perceptions and attitudes. Colorado State University: Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef subprimal cuts intended for mechanical tenderization was evaluated (Heller et al., 2007). This evaluation was followed by the assessment of five antimicrobial interventions at minimizing the risk of transferring E. coli O157:H7 to the interior of inoculated subprimal cuts during blade tenderization (BT) or moisture enhancement (ME). Prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on 1,014 beef subprimals collected from six packing facilities was 0.2% before inoculation. Results of this study demonstrate that the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 on the surface of beef subprimal cuts is low and that interventions applied before mechanical tenderization can effectively reduce the transfer of low concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 to the interior of beef subprimal cuts. Two studies (Rovira et al., 2007) were conducted to assess the risk of central nervous system (CNS) material dissemination to edible tissues via blood circulation following stunning of cattle with non-air injecting, penetrating captive bolt (PCB) devices. In one study, an electric shock was applied with a heart defibrillator (HD) after rendering cattle insensible by use of a cartridge-fired PCB gun to stop heart activity and subsequent blood circulation. In a second study, baseline levels of CNS tissue-marker Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) were established in blood from cattle following pneumatic-PCB stunning and Kosher slaughter (without stunning) in twelve and one commercial beef packing plants, respectively. Electric shock after stunning produced heart fibrillation, which reduced heart rate and therefore blood circulation between stunning and sticking. Marker GFAP was not detected in blood of cattle before or after stunning with or without HD. GFAP was detected in the blood of 1 (.28%) and 0 carcasses out of 360 (pneumatic-PCB) and 30 (Kosher) carcasses, respectively. Post-stunning mitigation practices to reduce the likelihood of CNS tissue dissemination in blood should not be necessary, as the risk of CNS tissue being present is low when non-air injecting PCB stunning protocols are employed. Four experiments (Bowling et al., 2008) were conducted in commercial beef-packing facilities. Objectives included: (i) determine and validate a carcass sampling technique and location to determine if central nervous system (CNS) cross-contamination exists/occurs; (ii) determine if residual CNS tissue contamination remains on beef carcass splitting saws after sanitation procedures; (iii) determine the prevalence of CNS cross-contamination in commercial beef slaughter facilities; (iv) determine whether washing treatments reduce or eliminate CNS tissue presence in beef carcass-splitting saws; (v) determine the effectiveness of commercial beef spray-washing systems in removing CNS tissue from beef carcasses; and (vi) compare residual CNS tissue levels on the blade and in the housings of the Jarvis Buster IX and Buster IV beef carcass-splitting saws. CNS tissue remained, albeit at very low levels, in the housings and on the blades of carcass-splitting saws after carcass splitting and operational sanitation. Additionally, after splitting carcasses, CNS tissue remaining in the splitting saw housings and on saw blades was found to cross-contaminate subsequent carcasses during splitting. Most splitting saw operational sanitation procedures reduced the amount of CNS tissue remaining in the splitting saw housings and on splitting saw blades, but no treatment completely eliminated CNS tissue to levels below the detection limit of the assay (6 ng/100 cm2). Washing in carcass spray-washing cabinets at three of the five commercial beef-packing facilities reduced, but did not eliminate, presence of CNS tissue in the aitch bone area of carcasses. Carcass spray washing in cabinets at three of the five facilities reduced (P < 0.05) the concentration of CNS tissue in the fourth thoracic vertebra area. While extremely low concentrations of CNS tissue remained in the splitting saw housings, on the splitting saw blades, and on carcasses, it is unknown whether these levels would pose a human food safety risk because the exact amount of bovine spongiform encephalopathy infected spinal cord capable of transmitting the disease to humans is dependent on the infectivity titer, which is not readily known. A study was conducted (Dewell et al., 2008 a, b) to investigate the influence of transportation and lairage on shedding and hide contamination of E. coli O157 and Salmonella enterica. Fecal and hide samples were obtained from forty pens of harvest ready beef cattle at the feedlot prior to transport and again at the slaughter plant immediately after slaughter. Potential risk factors for hide contamination at the feedlot, during transport and at slaughter were evaluated. Findings suggest that transportation and lairage should be considered in foodborne pathogen control strategies. Studies (Carlson et al., 2008) were conducted to identify effective antimicrobials and application parameters that could be used as decontamination interventions to reduce microbial loads on cattle hides before removal from carcasses. In Study I, Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated hide swatches were sprayed with acetic acid (10%; 23 and 55°C), lactic acid (10%; 23 and 55°C), sodium hydroxide (3%; 23°C) or sodium metasilicate (4 and 5%; 23°C). All antimicrobials were evaluated independently after being applied alone, following a water rinse, or followed by a water rinse. Treatments evaluating an antimicrobial followed by a water rinse lowered E. coli O157:H7 populations by 0.6 to 2.4 log CFU/cm2 and resulted in hides with a surface pH of 6.3 to 9.2. Treatments involving a water rinse followed by an antimicrobial application lowered E. coli O157:H7 populations by 1.5 to 5.1 log CFU/cm2, but resulted in hides with a surface pH of 3.9 to 10.5. In Study II, whole hides were treated with one of four antimicrobials (acetic acid, lactic acid, sodium hydroxide or sodium metasilicate) followed by a water rinse. Hides were evaluated for aerobic plate count (APC), total coliform count (TCC) and E. coli count (ECC). Generally, all antimicrobials resulted in greater (P < 0.05) reductions of ECC when compared to the control; however, only acetic and lactic acids resulted in greater (P < 0.05) reductions of APC and TCC compared to controls. These antimicrobials could reduce microbial contamination on hides, potentially reducing microbiological contamination transferred to carcasses or the plant environment. Kansas State University In November 2007, Dr. Kastner and two others from the Frontier program (Frontier co-coordinator Dr. Jason Ackleson of New Mexico State University, and K-State PhD student Ms. Aisha Salazar) were invited to participate in a Kansas Beef trade mission to Mexico City and speak at the Kansas-Mexico Food Safety Forum. This trade mission permitted Drs. Kastner and Ackleson and Ms. Salazar to conduct interview-based research with Mexico-based animal health and food safety officials responsible for implementing regionalization and compartmentalization both of which are World Trade Organization (WTO)-affirmed means by which nation-states (including the United States) can through geographical means (in regionalization) or through supply-chain management practices (in compartmentalization) certify the biosecurity of animals and/or meat products and, significantly, continue to export meat products when outbreaks occur outside of the certified regions and/or supply chains. More research is needed for the beef sector, and Dr. Kastners work on regionalization and compartmentalization was the subject of an unsuccessful June 2007 USDA NRI submission (in partnership with W2177 committee member Dr. Mariah Ehmke). Dr. Kastner and other Frontier research assistants have authored several online commentaries (podcasted at http://frontier.k-state.edu). In January 2008, at the Border Regions in Transition conference held in British Columbia, Canada and the state of Washington, USA, a conference paper, entitled Regions, Borders and Regulation: The Food Safety & Security Case, a paper which is presently web-posted at the Frontier website (http://frontier.k-state.edu) and under review for publication in a special proceedings to the conference. At the April 2008 meeting of the W2177 committee, Dr. Kastner argued that the U.S. beef sector ought to continue to explore how implementation of regionalization and, potentially, compartmentalization can help the U.S. beef industry retain export markets when isolated outbreaks occur. University of Wyoming: Dr. Mariah Ehmke collaborated with Dr. Justin Kastner of Kansas State University and Dr. Jason Ackelson of New Mexico State University in a grant proposal to study the implementation of regionalization and compartmentalization on the United States meat supply chain. This work is described in the Kansas State University report above. Objective 3 Michigan State: Work is under review regarding US, Canadian, Japanese, and Mexican preferences for food safety and tenderness beef attributes. Additional work is under review which includes an examination of factors influencing US, Canadian, and Japanese consumer food safety risk perceptions and attitudes. University of California, Davis: Empirical models were developed to convert carcass characteristics into kilograms of fat or vice versa to be used in the Davis Growth Model of fat deposition and distribution in beef steers. The model was shown to be superior to the French INRA model for predicting amount of body fat. The inclusion of frame size is an important addition to the subcutaneous fat vs. fat thickness model. Also, empirical models were developed to predict initial conditions for first-order differential equations to be used in the Davis Growth Model of fat deposition and distribution in beef steers. These equations are then used to initialize the DNA and fat depot differential equations in our ongoing program for modeling beef cattle growth and carcass quality. Our work suggests that fat depots are not metabolically different between frame sizes and implant status at the level of aggregation used to simulate fat deposition in beef steers. Therefore the mean of the 4 fat depot parameter coefficients can be used in the first-order differential equations in the Davis Growth Model. The first-order differential equations for intermuscular, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral fat depots in the Davis Growth Model of fat deposition and distribution in beef steers were then evaluated, and the model over predicts for INTRA, SUB, and VIS however the model tends to under-predict fat as fat increases in the carcass. This under-prediction as fat increases in all 4 fat depots could possibly be due to a secondary phase of hyperplasia that is not currently represented. University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Multivariate analysis was used to determine demographic, knowledge, habits, and sensory preferences that influence a consumers opinion about the acceptability of steaks from corn-fed, barley-fed, and grass-feed beef. Sensory ratings for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability of steaks from domestic (corn-fed, n=76), Canadian (barley-fed, n=39) and Australian (grass-finished, n=30) beef strip loins were obtained from 273 consumers in two cities. Consumers also completed a beef knowledge quiz, and surveys of demographic information, eating preferences, and purchasing behavior. The statistical analyses helped categorize consumers into three groups for each of the three types of strip steaks (those that liked the steak, those that disliked, and those that were neutral). For domestic steaks, important factors to categorize the consumers were sensory ratings, marital status, whether no not they used magazines to get information about beef, and preference for frozen meat. For Canadian steaks, the important factors were sensory ratings of tenderness and flavor and the number of people in their household. Consumer preference group for Australian steaks was predominately determined by the palatability traits, without significant contribution from their demographics, beef knowledge or beef buying habits. These data clearly indicate consumer preference for various domestic and imported steaks is highly influenced by the sensory scores applied for tenderness and flavor. Iowa State University: This study utilizes an analysis technique commonly used in marketing, the conjoint analysis method, to examine the relative utilities of a set of beef steak characteristics considered by a national sample of 1,432 US consumers, as well as additional localized samples representing undergraduate students at a business college and in an animal science department. The analyses indicate that among all respondents, region of origin is by far the most important characteristic; this is followed by animal breed, traceability, animal feed, and beef quality. Alternatively, the cost of cut, farm ownership, the use (or nonuse) of growth promoters, and whether the product is guaranteed tender were the least important factors. Results for animal science undergraduates are similar to the aggregate results, except that these students emphasized beef quality at the expense of traceability and the nonuse of growth promoters. Business students also emphasized region of origin but then emphasized traceability and cost. The ideal steak for the national sample is from a locally produced, choice Angus fed a mixture of grain and grass that is traceable to the farm of origin. If the product was not produced locally, respondents indicated that their preferred production states are, in order from most to least preferred, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas. Economic Research Service-United States Department of Agriculture: Next Years Work: Hahn at ERS is working on three projects that are relevant to this objective. The first is a meat demand study (with Davis and Stephanova) using cross-sectional data and examining the relationship between meat demand and the demand for complimentary foods. At present we are working with aggregate meats; we plan to look at specific meat cuts soon. The second is an attempt to measure the effect of ethanol (high feed prices) on consumer demand for beef and other meats. There is a potential project on non-tariff barriers and their effects on U.S. beef imports and exports. Colorado State University: Cookery traits, consumer sensory ratings and Warner-Bratzler shear force values (WBS) for U.S. Choice-or-higher (IMPORTED) biceps femoris (BF, n = 12) and longissimus dorsii thoracis (LDT, n = 10) were compared with 15-day-aged equivalent cuts derived from 10 Venezuelan AA and 10 A grade steer carcasses (Huerta-Montauti et al., 2008). IMPORTED samples required shorter (P < 0.05) cooking times. IMPORTED LDT received the highest sensory scores, different (P < 0.01) from Venezuelan equivalents. IMPORTED LDT and BF generated higher levels of consumer acceptability (80% and 56%, respectively). IMPORTED had lower (P = 0.05) WBS (2.67 kg) compared with Venezuelan counterparts (3.53 and 3.15 kg for A and AA grade, respectively), and exhibited a superior proportion (94%) of tender steaks. U.S. imported beef was more desirable to consumers, had lower WBS, required less cooking time and generated a greater proportion of tender steaks compared with steaks from domestic Venezuelan carcasses. Objective 4 Colorado State University: The National Beef Quality Audit 2005 was conducted by Colorado State University, Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University to assess the current status of the quality and consistency of U.S. fed steers and heifers (Garcia et al., 2008). Two visits each to 16 beef packing plants were made June through September 2005 and March through June 2006. Hide colors or breed-type were black (56.3%), red (18.6%), Holstein (7.9%), gray (6.0%), yellow (4.9%), brown (3.0%), white (2.3%), and brindle (1.0%). Method of identification and frequency were lot visual tags (63.2%), individual visual tags (38.7%), metal-clip tags (11.8%), electronic tags (3.5%), bar-coded tags (0.3%), by other means (2.5%), and without identification (9.7%). There were 22.3% of the cattle without horns, and the majority of those with horns (52.2%) were between 2.54 and 12.7 cm in length. Brand frequencies were no (62.0%), one (33.3%), and two or more (4.7%), and brands were located on the butt 23 (26.8%), side (7.5%), and shoulder (1.9%). Percentages of animals with mud/manure on specific body locations were none (25.8%), legs (61.4%), belly (55.9%), side (22.6%), and top-line (10.0%). Permanent incisor number and occurrence were zero (82.2%), one (5.2%), two (9.9%), three (0.4%), four (1.2%), five (0.1%), six (0.3%), seven (0.0%), and eight (0.7%). Most carcasses (64.8%) were not bruised, 25.8% had one bruise, and 9.4% had multiple bruises. Bruise location and incidence were round (10.6%), loin (32.6%), rib (19.5%), chuck (27.0%), and brisket, flank, and plate (10.3%). Condemnation item and incidence were liver (24.7%), lungs (11.5%), tripe (11.6%), heads (6.0%), tongues (9.7%), and carcasses (0.0%). Carcass evaluation revealed these traits and frequencies: steer (63.7%), heifer (36.2%), bullock (0.05%), and cow (0.04%) sex-classes; dark cutters (1.9%); A (97.1%), B (1.7%), and C or older (1.2%) overall maturities; and native (90.9%), dairy-type (8.3%), and Bos indicus (0.8%) estimated breed-types. Mean USDA yield grade traits were USDA yield grade (2.9), HCW (359.9 kg), adjusted fat thickness (1.3 cm), LM area (86.4 cm2), and KPH (2.3%). USDA yield grades were Yield Grade 1 (16.5%), Yield Grade 2 (36.3%), Yield Grade 3 (33.1%), Yield Grade 4 (11.8%), and Yield Grade 5 (2.3%). Mean USDA quality grade traits were USDA quality grade (Select90), marbling score (Small32), overall maturity (A64), lean maturity (A57), and skeletal maturity (A68). Marbling score distribution was Slightly Abundant or higher (2.7%), Moderate (4.3%), Modest (14.4%), Small (34.5%), Slight (41.2%), and Traces or lower (2.9%). Information will help the beef industry measure progress and will provide a benchmark for future educational and research activities. Texas A&M University: Miller has conducted research in cooperation with a beef cattle nutritionist to examine the relationship between live animal growth, temperament and eating behavior on beef carcass quality and tenderness were completed with 120 Santa Gertrudis steers. A new project utilizing four biological types developed for southern and midwestern environments will be used to examine these interrelationships. This project will be conducted using steers and heifers over a three year period with approximately 626 animals per year evaluated. From the completed work, exit velocity was negatively correlated with DMI (-0.18 to -0.34) and ADG (-0.25 to -0.27) in three studies. Calves with calmer temperaments tended to consume less DMI and gain slower then calves with more excitable temperaments. Exit velocity was not significantly correlated with feed:gain ratio or RFI and exit velocity was negatively correlated to REA (bulls and steer studies) and 12th rib fat thickness (heifer study). Research examining the effect of forage source/location/season, supplementation, days on feed (0 or 90), electrical stimulation, blade tenderization and aging on grass-fed beef was completed. Cattle fed forages during the warm season (May to August) in Overton, TX had less backfat and small ribeye areas than cattle fed forages during the cool season (October to March) in either Overton or Uvalde, TX. Steers that were fed on a high concentrate diet had more positive Quality and Yield Grade factors and were more tender than steers harvested immediately off grass. Blade tenderization and aging in combination with electrical stimulation improved beef tenderness. Research to improve value of devalued beef was implemented. New cutting strategies were examined for beef from heavy carcasses and processing technologies to improve the palatability of beef from dark cutting carcasses was conducted. This research is being analyzed and results will be reported next year. Objective 5 Colorado State University: Dustin Pendell is part of a team that is working on analyzing the benefits and costs of NAIS. The primary purpose of this project is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits and costs of a NAIS in the U.S., including premise registration, animal identification systems and animal movement reporting for major species of cattle, hogs, sheep, equine, and poultry and, to a limited extent, minor species of bison, goats, cervids, and camelids. Specific objectives are to (a) determine similar and different attributes and methods of NAIS across species, (b) determine direct benefits and costs for livestock producers who adopt NAIS practices and standards, (c) determine direct benefits and costs for livestock marketing institutions as applicable of adopting NAIS practices and standards (benefits and costs will be estimated by operation size category and by species mix typically marketed to evaluate differences across alternative operation sizes and species), (d) determine direct benefits and costs to livestock slaughtering operations associated with adoption of NAIS practices and standards (benefits and costs will be estimated by operation size to assess scale neutrality), (e) determine costs to livestock producers, marketing institutions, slaughtering and rendering facilities, and state and federal government agencies of interfacing with animal identification device distribution databases, and (f) determine overall distribution of benefits and costs of NAIS among producers, marketing firms, processors, consumers, and state and federal government agencies. This project is underway and will be finished later in the fall. Different industry sub-sectors for each species will be analyzed separately because benefits and costs can differ for different production phases. Furthermore, benefits and costs will be estimated separately for different operation size categories for each major production phase because benefits and costs may not be scale-neutral. Texas A&M University: Data were reanalyzed from Beef Customer Satisfaction using Logit models from SAS to examine the probability of consumer purchase. These data will be used in combination with other data sets to assist the Agricultural Marketing Service in determining thresholds for beef tenderness label claims. Michigan State University: Work is under review assessing investment incentives (and implications) of cattle producers voluntarily adopting traceability systems. Cow-calf producer perceptions of traceability costs, benefits, and implications are being measured. Montana State University: Several studies were conducted to evaluate the long-term retention and readability of RFID ear tags. In addition to potential accuracy and possibility of using group lot systems in controlled situations for traceability purposes, lambs in retained ownership situation in commercial feedlots were identified and traced through a group lot system. In excess of 98% of lambs were traced through feedlot channels and to slaughter.

Publications and Output Pertaining to Objective 1 Anderson, M. J., K. Mou, E. Steadham, C. Fedler, K. Prusa, S. M. Lonergan and E. Huff-Lonergan. 2007. Round Muscle Profiling: Influence of aging on palatability of specific wholesale round cuts. Proceedings, 60th Reciprocal Meat Conference, June 17-20, 2007 South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. *Heller, C. E., J. A. Scanga, J. N. Sofos, K. E. Belk, W. Warren-Serna, G. R. Bellinger, R. T. Bacon, M. I. Rossman, and G. C. Smith. 2007. Decontamination of beef subprimal cuts intended for blade-tenderization or moisture-enhancement. J. Food Prot. 70:1174-1180. Shook, J. N., D. L. VanOverbeke, J. A. Scanga, K. E. Belk, J. W. Savell, T. E. Lawrence, J. B. Morgan, D. B. Griffin, D. S. Hale, and G. C. Smith. 2008. The National Beef Quality Audit 2005, Phase I: Views of Producers, Packers, and Merchandisers on Current Quality Characteristics of the Beef Industry. The Prof. Anim. Scientist. (In Press). *Bass, P. D., J. D. Tatum, J. A. Scanga, P. L. Chapman, G. C. Smith, and K. E. Belk. 2008. Adding value to dark-cutting carcasses. J. Anim. Sci. (In Press). Garcia, L.G., K.L. Nicholson, T.W. Hoffman, T.E. Lawrence, D.S. Hale, D.B. Griffin, J.W. Savell, D.L. VanOverbeke, J.B. Morgan, K.E. Belk, T.G. Field, J.A. Scanga, J.D. Tatum and G.C. Smith. 2008. National Beef Quality Audit 2005: Survey of targeted cattle and carcass characteristics related to quality, quantity, and value of fed steers and heifers. J. Anim. Sci. (Submitted). Behrens, S.M., R.K. Miller, J.W. Holloway, F.M. Rouquette, Jr., R.D. Randel, B.G. Warrington, T.D.A. Forbes, and H. Lippke. . 2007. Relationship of temperament, growth, carcass characteristics and tenderness in beef steers. Beef Cattle Research In Texas. Gomez, R.R., B.M. Bourg, Z. Paddock, G.E. Carstens, P.A. Lancaster, R.K. Miller, L.O. Tedeschi, D.K. Lunt, S.A. Moore, D.S. DeLaney. 2007. Evaluation of feed efficiency in Santa Gertrudis steers and relationships with temperament and feeding behavior traits. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Suppl. 1):454 Hawks, K.R., R.K. Miller, T.D.A. Forbes, F.M. Rouquette, Jr., J.W. Holloway and B.G. Warrington. 2007. Grass and limited grain feeding production systems with post-harvest treatment to maximize carcass and tenderness characteristics of Bonsmara steers. Proceeding of Reciprocal Meat Conference. Hawks, K.R., R.K. Miller, T.D.A. Forbes, F.M. Rouquette, Jr., J.W. Holloway and B.G. Warrington. 2007. Maximizing carcass characteristics of Bonsmara steers produced on grass- or grain-based production s systems using electrical stimulation. J. Anim ASci. 85 (Suppl. 1):601. Ribeiro, F.R.B., G.E. Carstens, R.K. Miller, E.G. Brown and P.A. Lancaster. 2007. Relationships between temperament, carcass traits and tenderness in finishing steers. Proceeding of Reciprocal Meat Conference. Rouquette, Jr., F.M., I.T. Brigman, G.E. Castens and R.K. Miller. 2007. Winter pasture stocking rate effects on carcass composition and meat tenderness of two breedtypes. Beef Cattle Research in Texas. Voges, K.L., C.L. Mason, J.c. brooks, R.J. Deimore, D.B. Griffin, D.S. Hale, W.R. Henning, D.D. Johnson, C.L. Lorenzen, R.J. Maddock, R.K. Miller, J.B. Morgan, B.E. Baird, B.L. Gwartney and J.W. Savell. 2007. National Beef Tenderness Survey 2006: Assessment of Warner-Bratzler shear and sensory panel ratings for beef from US retail and foodservice establishments. Meat Sci. 77:357-364. Publications and Output Pertaining to Objective 2 Schroeder, T.C., G.T. Tonsor, J.M.E. Pennings, and J. Mintert (2007). Consumer Food Safety Risk Perceptions and Attitudes: Impacts on Beef Consumption across Countries. The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy. Vol. 7: Iss. 1(Contributions): Article 65. Rovira, P. J., J. A. Scanga, T. Grandin, K. L. Hossner, R. S. Yemm, K. E. Belk, J. D. Tatum, J. N. Sofos, and G. C. Smith. 2007. Central nervous system tissue contamination of the circulatory system following humane cattle stunning procedures. Food Prot. Trends. 27:524-529. Bowling, M.B., R.S. Yemm, K.E. Belk, J.N. Sofos, G.C. Smith and J.A. Scanga. 2008. An evaluation of central nervous system cross-contamination due to carcass splitting in commercial beef-packing plants. J. Food Prot. 71:83-92. Carlson, B.A., I. Geornaras, Y. Yoon, J.A. Scanga, K.E. Belk, J.N. Sofos and G.C. Smith. 2008. Studies to evaluate chemicals/condition ns for reducing microbial counts on cattle hides. J. Food Prot. (In Press). Dewell, G., C. Simpson, R. Dewell, D. Hyatt, K. Belk, J. Scanga, P. Morley, T. Grandin, G. Smith, D. Dargatz, B. Wagner, and M. Salman. 2008a. Impact of transportation and lairage on hide contamination with Escherichia coli O157 in finished beef cattle. J. Food Prot. (In Press). Dewell, G.A., C.A. Simpson, R.D. Dewell, D.R. Hyatt, K.E. Belk, J.A. Scanga, P.S. Morley, T. Grandin, G.C. Smith, D.A. Dargatz, B.A. Wagner and M.D. Salman. 2008b. Impact of transportation and lairage on hide contamination with Salmonella enterica in finished beef cattle. J. Food Prot. (Submitted). Bowling, M.B., R.S. Yemm, K.E. Belk, J.N. Sofos, and J.A. Scanga. 2007. An Evaluation of Central Nervous System Cross-Contamination Due to Carcass Splitting in Commercial Beef Packing Plants. 3rd place poster at Reciprocal Meats Conference, Brookings, SD. Carlson, B.A., K.K. Nightingale, J.N. Sofos, J.A. Scanga, G.C. Smith, and K.E. Belk. 2007a. Pre-Harvest Carriage and Diversity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Feedlot Cattle. 94th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Food Protection, July 8-11, Lake Buena Vista, FL. Abstract No. T6-06. Carlson, B.A., K.K. Nightingale, J.N. Sofos, J.A. Scanga, G.C. Smith and K.E. Belk. 2007b. Pre-Harvest Investigation and Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Persistence in a Population of Feedlot Cattle. 107th General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, May 21-25, Toronto, ON, Canada. Abstract No. Z-056. Bowling, M.B., K.E. Belk, K.K. Nightingale, L.D. Goodridge, J.A. Scanga, J.N. Sofos, J.D. Tatum, and G.C. Smith. 2007 (peer reviewed). Chapter 2. Central nervous system tissue in meat products: An evaluation of risk, prevention strategies, and testing procedures. In: Advances In Food And Nutrition Research. Elsevier Inc., Oxford, U.K. ISSN 1043-4526, pp. 39-64. Ackleson, J., and Kastner, J. Regions, Borders and Regulation: The Food Safety & Security Case. Paper for the Border Regions in Transition (BRIT IX) conference, North American and European Border Regions in Comparative Perspective: Markets, States, Border Communities and Security, to be held 12-15 January 2008 in Victoria, British Columbia, and Bellingham, Washington. Webposted at http://frontier.k-state.edu, and under review for publication in conference proceedings. J. Ackleson and J. Kastner. Routinising Cooperation and Changing Narratives: The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. Journal of Borderlands Studies (2008, in press). R. Kassatly and J. Kastner. Technical Barriers to Trade, Agricultural Protectionism, and Political Economy. 2008. Podcasted audio commentary, archived at http://frontier.k-state.edu. E. Nyambok and J. Kastner. Phytosanitary measures and international trade: the case of wood packaging material. 2007. Podcasted audio commentary, archived at http://frontier.k-state.edu. E. Nyambok. Rift Valley Fever, Regionalization, and Trade. 2007. Podcasted audio commentary, archived at http://frontier.k-state.edu. J. Kastner. Compartmentalization and International Trade.2007. Podcasted audio commentary, archived at http://frontier.k-state.edu. J. Kastner and J. Ackleson. Regionalization in History: International Trade Policy. 2007. Podcasted audio commentary, archived at http://frontier.k-state.edu. Julianne Jensby, Steve Toburen, Justin Kastner, and Abbey Nutsch. Bioterrorism Act Reference Tool: Overlap Agents, 27 November 2007, http://frontier.k-state.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=33 The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, trade, and food safety and security, 13 November 2007. Presentation at the Kansas-Mexico Food Safety Forum, organized by the Kansas Department of Commerce, Mexico City, Mexico (invited). Justin Kastner, 30 July 2007, Food Safety and Food Security Initiatives at K-State. Presentation to faculty and administrators visiting K-State from Tianjin University, China. Justin Kastner, 21 June 2007, Opportunities for Kansas at the State-Market Interface. Presentation and planning session to the leadership of Kansas State University food safety & security and trade officials from the Kansas Department of Commerce. Justin Kastner, Interview, 19 June 2007, Mens Health magazine. With regard to trade-related aspects of BSE, BSE testing, and other food safety and security issues, interviewed by writer Tom Groneberg for magazine article. Justin Kastner, Interview, 7 June 2007, National Public Radio. With regard to trade- and history-related perspectives on biosecurity, and with other K-State faculty members, interviewed by reporter Laura Ziegler of NPR-affiliate UMKC KCUR-FM. Publications Pertaining to Objective 3 Schroeder, T.C., G.T. Tonsor, J.M.E. Pennings, and J. Mintert (2007). Consumer Food Safety Risk Perceptions and Attitudes: Impacts on Beef Consumption across Countries. The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy. Vol. 7: Iss. 1(Contributions): Article 65. Tonsor, G.T. and T.L. Marsh. Comparing Heterogeneous Consumption in US and Japanese Meat and Fish Demand. Agricultural Economics. 37:1(July 2007):81-91. Hahn and Mathews. Characteristics and Hedonic Pricing of Differentiated Beef Demands. Agricultural Economics, May 2007 volume 36 pages 377-393. Pritchett, Johnson, Thilmany, and Hahn. Consumer Response to Recent BSE Events. Journal of Food Distribution Research July 2007, Volume 38, number 2, pages 57-68. The Food Distribution Research Societys 2006-07 Presidential Award for Excellence in Research and Communication. Huerta-Montauti, D., A. Rodas-González, K. E. Belk, L. Arenas de Moreno, N. Huerta-Leidenz. 2008. Comparison of U.S. versus Venezuelan beef cuts on cookery traits, consumer impressions and shear force. J. Musc. Foods. 19:140-156. Publications Pertaining to Objective 5 *Bass, P.D., D.L. Pendell, D.L. Morris, J.A. Scanga, K.E. Belk, T.G. Field, J.N. Sofos, J.D. Tatum and G.C. Smith. 2008. Review of sheep traceability systems in countries outside of North America. The Prof. Anim. Scientist (In Press). *Murphy, R. G. L., D. L. Pendell, J. A. Scanga, K. E. Belk, and G. C. Smith. 2008. Evaluation of Animal Identification Systems in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Prof. Anim. Scientist (In Press). *Meisinger, J.L., D. L. Pendell, K. E. Belk, G. C. Smith. 2008. Review of swine traceability systems in countries outside of North America. Prof. Anim. Scientist (Submitted). Hoffman, T.W., K.E. Belk, J.A. Scanga, J.D. Tatum, T.G. Field and G.C. Smith. 2007. Economic Impacts of Dairy Cows Affected by DBQA. Fact Sheet prepared for the Dairy Beef Quality Assurance program of the National Cattlemens Beef Association. Belk, K.E. 2007. Biosecurity for animal health and food safety. In: Temple Grandin (Ed.) Livestock Handling and Transport, 3rd Edition. CAB International, Cambridge, MA. ISBN-13: 978-1-84593-219-0 (book). Fausti, S.W., Qasmi, B.A., Lanblom, D.G., Beutler, M.A., Johnson, P., Gates, R., Patterson, H., and Salverson, R., Spring 2007, "Public Price Reporting, Marketing Channel Selection, and Price Discovery: The Perspectives of Cow/Calf Producers in the Dakotas." Journal of Agribusiness: Volume 25, No. 1, pp. 59-76. Fausti, S.W., Diersen, M., and Qasmi, B.A., 2007, "Public Price Reporting in the Cash Market for Live Cattle: A Spatial Market Approach." Agricultural and Resource Economics Review: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 336-348. Fausti, S.W., Lanblom, D.G., Beutler, M.A., Johnson, P., Gates, R., Patterson, H., S. I. Paisley and Salverson, R., 2007,"The Effect of Early Vs. Normal Calf Weaning on Feedlot Performance and Herd Management: A Northern Plains Case Study." Journal of ASFMRA, Vol.70, No.1, pp.128-132. Fausti, S.W., Lanblom, D.G., Beutler, M.A., Johnson, P., Gates, R., Patterson, H., and Salverson, R., 2007, "The Effect of Early Vs. Normal Calf Weaning on Feedlot Performance and Herd Management: A Cross-Discipline Case Study." Abstract in the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Vol.39, No.2, p.414. Marty Beutler, S. Fausti, & B. Qasmi, January 2007,"Perspectives of Cow/Calf Producers in the Dakotas on the Price Discovery Process", Economics Commentator, No.482, South Dakota State University. Marty Beutler, S. Fausti, & B. Qasmi, July 2007, "The Perspective of Cow/Calf Producers in the Dakotas: Mandatory Price Reporting for Slaughter Cattle" Economics Commentator, No.490, South Dakota State University. Fausti, S.W., Qasmi, B.A., and Diersen, M., April 2007,"Public Reporting of Fed Cattle Grid Prices: Policy Reform Consequences" Economics Staff Paper 2007-1, Department of Economics, South Dakota State University.