From a single tail switch hair sample a comprehensive DNA profile can define a beef animal's true potential for traits such as tenderness, carcass traits, coat colour and milking ability.

Gene markers are widely used in livestock producing countries, including the UK, Ireland, US, France, Australia and New Zealand.

One of the leading gene marker services available to cattle breeders is Igenity from Merial.

Until now beef breeders have only been able to select for traits such as growth rates and leaner, more muscled carcasses through Estimated Breeding Values.

This new science enables producers to be able to breed specifically for the eating quality of the animal's carcass.

Duff Burrell has used Igenity gene marker profiles to test herd stock bulls and Embryo Transfer bulls and some females at Broome Park Farm, near Alnwick in Northumberland.

The young bulls were between eight and 10 months old and two achieved the maximum tenderness score of 10.

Consumer taste tests have shown that as many as 21% more consumers consider the steak to be tender with such an increase in meat tenderness score.

Source: ic Teesside.co.uk