The Canadian Cattlemen's Association

Science and technology play an important role within the beef cattle industry.

The Canadian cattle industry is pursuing technologies that will help it remain competitive, improve the quality and consistency of the product for consumers, and increase food safety standards.

Video imaging and real-time ultrasound are used to grade cattle and the resulting products. These technologies measure product yield, which is important to being competitive. In addition, a variety of quality factors can be measured.

Through the use of assessment electronic probes, the collagen and tenderness of beef are tested. This technology places the Canadian cattle industry as a world leader for providing tender beef products.

Electronic identification of cattle, when linked with video imaging and ultrasound techniques, benefits the industry through better animal selection.

Biotechnology is being used to create improved medicines to fight animal diseases and to rid animals of parasites. Modern biotechnology can help develop hardier, more productive livestock faster than was possible with traditional methods. Some of the findings of biotechnology include: Monoclonal Antibodies to diagnose diseases, DNA probes to detect and predict inherited genetic disorders, and DNA fingerprinting to identify the parentage of specific animals.

All products derived from biotechnology are evaluated under safety acts and regulations.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducts extensive research in targeted areas to develop new processes, improved products and safety measures.