For the last two weeks, I have been discussing the A2 beta-casein milk protein and how it affects people and cattle. This is interesting stuff! The A2 beta-casein protein increases the nutritional value and the digestibility of the milk. All mammals have A2/A2 milk, except cattle, where the A1 variant is present. It is thought that the A1 variant was bred into cattle through a genetic mutation and/or a focus on more growth, more milk and less fat.
Steve Campbell estimates that only about 50% of conventional beef cattle have the gene for A2/A2 beta-casein. Author Keith Woodford estimates a similar percentage in the dairy industry. Last week, I shared Woodford’s research presented in his book The Devil in the Milk that showed A1 milk causes Type 1 diabetes, autism and heart disease in people. I wonder what A1 milk does to calves?
Pharo Cattle Company™ evaluates and scores every bull they sell for 10 different traits. A score of 5 is the best with 3 being about average. We do not sell bulls with a rating less than 3. As far as we are concerned, the most important score is the score for Overall Rating. In a PCC™ bull sale, the 5-star bulls are above average, the 4-star bulls are about average and the 3-star bulls are below average.
We DNA tested 442 Angus and Red Angus bulls that will be selling in our upcoming bull sales for the A2/A2 gene. If A2 affects the health and development of the calf, then our 5-star bulls should have a higher percentage of A2/A2 than our 4-star and 3-star bulls. This may be a stretch, but I think it’s worth looking into.
After analyzing those 442 bulls, I am extremely excited to share the results. The 5-star bulls were 86% A2/A2, the 4-star bulls were 82% A2/A2 – and the 3-star bulls were 80% A2/A2. This is only one year’s worth of data, but I think it is pretty apparent that A2/A2 is correlated with calf health and quality!
For those who sell grassfed beef, let’s take this a step further. I believe there will soon be a premium market for A2 beef – just as there is for A2 milk. If an A2 calf is healthier, why wouldn’t the meat be healthier? Anecdotal observations make a pretty clear case!
This is ground-breaking stuff! Who else is even looking into this? Who else gives you this type of marketing opportunity for your calves? A2 is another way PCC™ is giving you an edge in cattle health, growth and marketing. Pharo Cattle Company™ doesn’t just want to sell you a bull; they want you to be successful and profitable!