Economic Performance and Meat Quality Traits of Extensively Reared Beef Cattle in Greece

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Economics
• Animal Science
• Food Science

Background:

• Extensive cattle farming is vital to Greece's agricultural economy, relying on natural grasslands that influence meat quality.
• The sector faces economic challenges, with limited research on beef quality from these systems in Greece.
• The Axios River Delta, a protected area, hosts three farms crucial for this study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the economic performance of three extensive cattle farms.
• To assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of beef produced.
• To investigate heavy metal contamination in the livers of extensively reared cattle.

Main Methods:

• Farm data collected via questionnaire (technical and economic parameters).
• Meat quality analysis of Longissimus dorsi muscle (physicochemical, microbiological).
• Heavy metal analysis in liver samples; comparative analysis of meat quality over 15 days storage.

Main Results:

• All farms operated at a loss, with a negative average gross margin (excluding subsidies).
• Beef exhibited low fat content (1.1%), favorable fatty acid profile, and acceptable pH24 (5.5).
• Meat quality showed improved color parameters (yellowness, hue) and texture (cohesiveness, springiness) over storage; heavy metals were below EU limits.

Conclusions:

• Extensive cattle farming in Greece is economically challenging, with farms operating at a loss.
• The produced beef possesses favorable quality traits, including desirable fatty acid profiles and improved color stability during storage.
• Despite economic difficulties, the quality attributes suggest potential for value-added marketing and meeting consumer demand.