Tenet Beef Identifies Tenderness Gene in South Poll Cattle

In recent years, the beef industry has been increasingly focused on improving beef tenderness, a key factor in creating a premium eating experience. Traditionally, marbling has been the primary focus of quality grading, but groundbreaking research by Frank Hendrix has shown that tenderness is a separate trait, with only a 4-10% correlation to marbling. This revelation has sparked interest in finding cattle genetics that excel in tenderness, giving rise to a new standard called Tenet Beef.

What is Tenet Beef?
Tenet Beef refers to cattle that rank at the highest level of tenderness—scoring a perfect 10 on a 1-10 scale. This achievement is rare, with only 2-5% of the American cattle herd meeting the Tenet standard. Unlike traditional grading systems based on marbling, Tenet Beef focuses exclusively on tenderness, which is determined through genetic testing. This precision-driven approach offers producers a valuable opportunity to enhance their herds' market value, with Tenet cattle estimated to be worth $400-$800 more per head.

Approximately 50% of the South Poll herd qualifies as Tenet, while only 2-5% of the American cattle herd meets the Tenet standard.

Why South Poll Cattle Stand Out
South Poll cattle are particularly promising when it comes to meeting the Tenet standard. As a breed developed specifically for grass-finishing, easy-keeping, and heat tolerance, South Polls are naturally well-suited to producing tender beef. Their efficiency in extracting nutrients from forages—also known as high metabolizable energy—has proven to be a key factor in achieving superior tenderness.
According to Frank Hendrix, South Poll cattle demonstrate an impressive rate of success in genetic testing for tenderness, with approximately 50% of the breed qualifying as Tenet. This high success rate is likely due to the breed’s selection criteria focused on adaptability, forage efficiency, and easy-keeping traits.

The Grass-Fed Advantage
For producers focusing on grass-finishing, Tenet Beef offers a substantial advantage. Research has shown that tenderness is often more important to consumers than marbling, especially in grass-fed beef where flavor differences are less pronounced than textural ones. By focusing on tenderness through Tenet certification, grass-fed beef producers can capture a premium market without relying on grain finishing.

Conclusion
The discovery of Tenet Beef presents a valuable opportunity for South Poll producers to further differentiate their product in the marketplace. With a naturally high percentage of Tenet animals, South Poll cattle are poised to excel in producing some of the most tender beef available.

Source: https://workingcows.net/predicting-exceptional-beef-tenderness-with-100-accuracy-through-this-genetic-marker-wcp-424/​
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