Thailand to develop improved cattle breeding

[Chao Lao Beach]

Tops has some decent Thai steak for 800B a kilo at the moment. The Oz steak is 1230b which is ok.

The 530baht kilo Thai steak is not so good in Tops.

Tesco, Makro, Big C call some red meat steak but it is awful.

[monkey4u]

They need to get a few like this bad boy.

That's a load of Bull

[Saan]

This is a somewhat unexpected report, as I thought Thailand had quite an advanced cattle-breeding industry, to say nothing of the cowboy culture. Maybe cheap beef imports have put everything on the backburner???

I am a retired aussie farm animal vet. I saw a lot of charolais (?) blood infusion among local stock (Prachuap to Chumphon) during the last 15 years. Some of the beasts are monsters! Also tucked away down here are quite a few dairy cattle, obviously at least 50% holstein-freisian. No idea what their daily milk production would be, but they look sleek.

For sure mum/dad farmers probably only pushing on with those skinny white things (which survive in the dry season), but there are fawking monster cows down here. AA

I have been buying Charolais steak from a butcher in Chiang Mai and the meat has been as good as what I used to buy in Australia. Someone here must know what they are doing as I recall Charolais calves are a lethargic lot and take a bit of looking after.

[ginjag]

They need to get a few like this bad boy.

That's a load of Bull

He's not got -horn on- one ball for a large family Sunday lunch-- even at that size you would never outrun him---better bend down and brace yourself.----That would just do me for a year if I could get it in my freezer.

[steve73]

Plenty of Charolais and Angus bred here in Thailand. The Angus is mostly the "Lowline" breed which was developed in Queensland Aus, so can cope with the hot weather.

Both breeds are usually AI'd into the local Thai Brahman cows for 1000bt per shot (short time rate), or 1500bt (long-time, which allows for repeat AI's until successful). (use of a local bull is around 500bt so not really all that much more).

Calves are usually free-range until 1 year then feedlot fed to fatten them up. Lots of places use fruit based silage which gives good protein/fat build-up. Good high weight Charolais go for over 400bt/kg LIVE WEIGHT. Lowline for over 600bt/kg. Both are excellent meat.

Thai Charolais is widely available frozen in some Makro stores, and specialist supermarkets, but Angus is more difficult to find - try visiting local agriculture shows, where the Thai lowline breeders association often has it available.

[oldsailor35]

With all the waste from rice fields instead of burning why not rotate and move cows around? In Australia we have DROVERS and cattle are lead on long walks for feed and we have good meat. There is nO REASON this could not occur in many parts of thailand. We also have BRAHMAN cows which are in our tropical areas which temperatures are just like here.

I am not expert and do not profess to be but just seems if we colonials can do it why Not Thailand with the greener pastures and no droughts like we have at home?

Brafords a cross between Hereford and Brahman a breed introduced into tropical Queensand by the Rea family of Rockhampton, have become , over the last century, a very successful meat beast which does well in tropical areas provided there is substantial feed. They would probably do very well in Northern Thailand. The Brahman is tick resistant and brings this to the Braford breed.

Edited June 10, 2014 by oldsailor35

[HUAHIN62]

They might think of getting breeds that produce meat not resembling rubber boots first.

Nothing wrong with the breed, the problem is a lack of knowledge, access to land and good quality feed. If you improve the quality of feed the animals weight will increase which would have a higher calving percentage as a result as well as greater resistance to diseases. The farmers will also receive better prices for the animals they sell. The meat quality will also improve with better feed and if animals don't need to walk kilometers to eat low quality food the meat will be more tender. In the tropics heavy framed animals (European and US breeds) don't do well and the lighter framed breeds you find in Thailand have come through generations of natural selection.

[DrTuner]

Both breeds are usually AI'd into the local Thai Brahman cows for 1000bt per shot (short time rate), or 1500bt (long-time, which allows for repeat AI's until successful). (use of a local bull is around 500bt so not really all that much more).

So, ST 1000b, LT 1500b, 500b for locals. Always good to know the prices

[belg]

give some rice to them ??? have plenty in the warehouses, at least on paper, that is

[ikke]

With all the waste from rice fields instead of burning why not rotate and move cows around? In Australia we have DROVERS and cattle are lead on long walks for feed and we have good meat. There is nO REASON this could not occur in many parts of thailand. We also have BRAHMAN cows which are in our tropical areas which temperatures are just like here.

I am not expert and do not profess to be but just seems if we colonials can do it why Not Thailand with the greener pastures and no droughts like we have at home?

Colonials , that's the key.... the knowledge came from overseas , Here in Thailand they don't want to learn from anyone not Thai or out of Thailand....so....they will never learn.

[ableguy]

They might think of getting breeds that produce meat not resembling rubber boots first.

Good point, perhaps they did not take into consideration Thais in the main do not eat beef, lots of Thais I know swear off beef to Buddha as a form of merit, easy form as they could never afford beef anyway.

Sadly Thailand will never become the hub of ASEAN for beef, however am sure a zillion scams will pop up spoutIng the exact opposite..