The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA)-2022 serves as a benchmark of the current market cow and bull sectors of the U.S. beef industry and allows comparison to previous audits as a method of monitoring industry progress. From September 2021 through May 2022, post-slaughter hide-on animals (n = 6,674), carcasses (n = 5,746), and offal items (heads and tongues: n = 7,282; lungs and hearts: n = 6,708; viscera, kidneys, and livers: n = 6,358) were surveyed at 20 commercial beef processing facilities across the United States. There were 37.8% of cattle with no visible mud contamination. Native (unbranded) hides were observed in 88.3% of cattle. Carcass bruising was observed on 66.7% of cow carcasses and 46.4% of bull carcasses, similar to percentages observed in the 2007 and 2016 audits. Nearly all cattle were free of knots (98.2%) or injection-site lesions (97.1%). Harvest-floor assessments found that 45.0% of livers, 22.2% of viscera, 19.3% of kidneys, 46.6% of lungs, 19.9% of hearts, 11.2% of heads, and 6.4% of tongues were condemned. The leading cause of condemnation for these offal items was contamination, aside from livers with the majority resulting in condemnation from the presence of an abscess. Of the cows surveyed, 25.4% carried a fetus, an 8% increase compared to those observed in 2016, and a 14.8% increase compared to cows surveyed in 2007. Findings from the NBQA-2022 identified areas of improvement and areas that required continued research and producer education to improve market cow and bull welfare, by-product quality, and offal value. This aspect of the National Beef Quality Audit-2022 focused on hide characteristics, defects visible on the carcass surface, and offal condemnations related to animal welfare and the value of beef and dairy market cows and bulls. This comprehensive survey provides detailed findings related to the types of defects observed on hides, the quantity and severity of bruises, visible injection-site presence, offal condemnations, and pregnancy status of cows at harvest. This aspect of the National Beef Quality Audit-2022 focused on hide characteristics, defects visible on the carcass surface, and offal condemnations related to animal welfare and the value of beef and dairy market cows and bulls. Fewer than half (37.8%) of the cattle were free of visible mud contamination on the hide at the time of harvest. Most hides observed (88.3%) were native or unbranded, which is an increase from the rate observed in the previous audit. Hide damage due to reasons other than branding was observed in 12.3% of all cattle surveyed. Only 3.3% of all cattle surveyed had heads or limbs drag on the harvest floor or equipment due to carcass size. The percent of carcasses with bruising was similar to those reported in the 2007 and 2016 audits with cows at 66.7% and bulls at 46.4%, respectively. Nearly all cattle were free of knots (98.2%) or injection-site lesions (97.1%). Harvest-floor condemnation rates were 11.2% of heads, 6.4% of tongues, 46.6% of lungs, 19.9% of hearts, 22.2% of viscera, 19.3% of kidneys, and 45.0% of livers with heads, tongues, and kidneys being condemned at a greater rate than observed in 2016. The leading cause of condemnation for these offal items was contamination, aside from livers with the majority resulting in condemnation from the presence of an abscess. Of the cows surveyed, 25.4% carried a fetus at the time of harvest, an 8% increase compared to those observed in 2016, and a 14.8% increase from those surveyed in 2007. Improvements were observed in the instances and location of branding as well as decreased instances of knots or injection-site lesions, which can be attributed to improvements in management practices and producer education. Further improvements can be made to decrease the amount of mud present on the hide at the time of harvest, decrease instances of carcass bruising, and improve animal health to minimize offal condemnations. These improvements can benefit both animal welfare as well as carcass and offal value.

Fatty acid composition is a key determinant of beef quality, influencing traits such as flavor, tenderness, and nutritional value. Understanding the genetic regulation of fatty acid composition in beef cattle may inform strategies to improve these attributes through selective breeding. The objective of this study was to explore genomic regions associated with fatty acid composition. Genome-wide association analysis revealed several candidate genes, including HELB, PLAG1, FASN, and LZTS2, which are involved in cell growth and division and may influence lipid accumulation in adipose tissue. Gene network analysis corroborated genome-wide association study (GWAS) findings and further identified additional genes with small effects that were not detected by single-trait GWAS. This approach revealed numerous genes involved in fatty acid uptake and intracellular lipid transport, providing deeper insight into the complex genetic architecture underlying beef fatty acid composition.

Most people involved in youth livestock exhibition are familiar with the physical risks of handling and transporting livestock, but public spectators generally need more instruction and supervision to ensure their safety and health. The Risk Management for 4-H Youth Development Work series aims to provide UF/IFAS Extension county faculty, staff, volunteers, and youth with the knowledge they need to implement best practices in risk management strategies. This 8-page fact sheet covers risks in the following categories: injuries to people, injuries to animals, property damage, biosecurity (diseases transmitted to humans and between animals), and general precautions. Written by Chad Carr, Saundra TenBroeck, Wendy DeVito, Chris Strong, Dale Pracht, and Georgene Bender, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, November 2015. AN321/AN321: Risk Management for 4-H Youth Development Work: Large Animals—Livestock (ufl.edu)

Beef retail steaks from establishments across 11 US cities and beef foodservice steaks from establishments in 6 US cities were evaluated by consumer sensory evaluations and Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force analyses. The retail tenderloin had the lowest (P<0.05) WBS force value compared to other retail cuts. The retail steak with the greatest (P<0.05) WBS force value was the top sirloin. Foodservice ribeye and top loin steaks had greater (P<0.05) WBS force values compared to the tenderloin. All retail top blade, bone-in ribeye, Porterhouse, and tenderloin steaks were categorized as“very tender” (<31.4 N). There were no (P>0.05) differences in WBS force values among USDA quality grade groups for foodservice steaks. Retail tenderloin steaks received the highest (P<0.05) consumer rating for overall like/dislike, tenderness like/dislike,tenderness level, flavor like/dislike, and juiciness like/dislike compared to all other retail cuts. There were no (P>0.05)differences among the 4 foodservice cuts for consumer sensory ratings of overall like/dislike, tenderness like/dislike, tenderness level, flavor like/dislike, and juiciness like/dislike. There were no (P>0.05) USDA quality grade differences for ribeye, top loin, top sirloin, and tenderloin foodservice steaks for overall like/dislike, tenderness like/dislike, tenderness level, flavor like/dislike, and juiciness like/dislike. Regardless of source (foodservice or retail), USDA grade group, or beef cut, measures of tenderness in this survey reveal ratings and values that should meet most consumer expectations in the marketplace.

Drying is one of the oldest methods of food preservation, involving the addition of salt and removal of water to generate a shelf-stable and nutrient-dense product. Pathogens have demonstrated the ability to adapt during a slow drying process, making them more resistant to dehydration and heat treatment. In Ethiopia, an inconsistent electrical grid makes refrigeration unreliable, making dried meat products desirable to consumers. The main dried beef product, qwanta, is very labor intensive to produce. It is therefore not well suited for commercial production and drying at ambient temperatures limits inactivation of pathogenic bacteria. This study quantitatively evaluated the inactivation kinetics of foodborne pathogens during the drying of a restructured beef jerky product produced by a heat treatment that could be applied in anEthiopian butcher shop. A secondary objective was to evaluate effects of including 15% (w/w) pureed dates or raisins into the formulation. Challenge studies were performed on 5 serotypes of Salmonella enterica, 3 strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7, and 3 strains of Campylobacter jejuni. Meat formulations were inoculated with stationary phase cultures, formed into strips, and dehydrated for 6 h in a home-style dehydrator. Samples were weighed pre- and post-drying, plated for enumeration of challenge strains each hour, and water activity (aw) was measured at each sampling interval. Nonlinear predictive models were fit to the inactivation data, revealing an inverse sigmoidal curve for S. enterica and concave downward curves for E. coli and Campylobacter. Salmonella and E. coli were reduced 4.56 ± 0.35 and 6.27 ± 0.69 log (CFU/g),respectively, after 6 h of drying, while Campylobacter was reduced below the limit of detection (>4.32 log [CFU/g] reduction) after 3 h of drying. Including dates (15% w/w) into formulation improved the reduction of S. enterica by 0.63 log (CFU/g) compared to the control (P=0.02), whereas the addition of raisins showed a non-significant improvement (0.50 log CFU/g; P=0.07). Modified processes to improve the safety and extend the shelf life of animal-sourced foods in Ethiopia can reduce the incidence of foodborne disease and provide consumers with a more convenient and accessible source of protein as well as reduce food waste. These predictive models and validation studies may be useful for Ethiopian and US jerky producers, giving them the ability to more accurately assess the microbial risk of their products

The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA)-2022 serves as a benchmark of the current market cow and bull sectors of the U.S. beef industry and allows comparison to previous audits as a method of monitoring industry progress. From September 2021 through May 2022, livestock trailers (n = 125), live animals (n = 5,430), and post-slaughter hide-on animals (n = 6,674) were surveyed at 20 commercial beef processing facilities across the U.S. Cattle were transported in a variety of trailer types for an average distance of 490.6 km and a mean transport time of 6.3 h. During transit, cattle averaged 2.3 m2 of trailer space per animal indicating sufficient space was provided according to industry guidelines. Of all trailers surveyed, 55.3% transported cattle from an auction barn to a processing facility. When surveyed, 63.6% of all truck drivers reported to be Beef Quality Assurance certified. The majority (77.0%) of cattle were sound when evaluated for mobility. Mean body condition scores (9-point scale) for beef cows and bulls were 3.8 and 4.4, respectively, whereas mean body condition scores (5-point scale) for dairy cows and bulls were 2.3 and 2.6, respectively. Of the cattle surveyed, 45.1% had no visible live animal defects, and 37.9% had only a single defect. Of defects present in cows, 64.6% were attributed to an udder problem. Full udders were observed in 47.5% of all cows. Nearly all cattle were free of visible abscesses and knots (97.9% and 98.2%, respectively). No horns were observed in 89.4% of all cattle surveyed. Beef cattle were predominantly black-hided (68.9% and 67.4% of cows and bulls, respectively). Holstein was the predominant dairy animal observed and accounted for 85.7% of the cows and 98.0% of the bulls. Only 3.1% of all animals had no form of identification. Findings from the NBQA-2022 show improvements within the industry and identify areas that require continued education and research to improve market cow and bull welfare and beef quality. This aspect of the National Beef Quality Audit-2022 focused on transportation, mobility, and live animal conditions related to animal welfare and value of beef and dairy market cows and bulls. This comprehensive survey provides detailed findings related to the types of transportation and space allocated to animals, how mobile animals were upon arrival, the types of defects observed in cattle, hide color and patterns, and the forms of animal identification used. This aspect of the National Beef Quality Audit-2022 focused on transportation, mobility, and live animal conditions related to animal welfare and value of beef and dairy market cows and bulls. Cattle were transported, on average, 490.6 km, for 6.3 h, with 2.3 m2 space per animal in a variety of trailer types. Upon unloading, most cattle walked normally (77.0%) or with minor stiffness or shortness of stride (18.0%) with only 5.0% having difficulties taking steps. Body Condition Scores indicated less condition (lower fatness) than the previous audit. The most common defects for both dairy and beef cows were udder problems, whereas, for bulls, it was swollen joints. Beef cattle were predominately black-hided (68.9% and 67.4% of cows and bulls, respectively), whereas dairy cattle were predominately Holstein (85.7% of the cows and 98.0% of the bulls). Most of the cattle (89.4%) had no horns. Only 3.1% of all cattle had no form of animal identification with most having one or more forms of identification. Improvements were observed in transportation, animal identification, and limited percentages of management-related defects. Timelier marketing of market cows and bulls assuring adequate muscling and finish may benefit both animal welfare and value.

The National Beef Quality Audit - 2022 serves as a benchmark of the current fed steer and heifer population of the U.S. beef industry and allows comparison to previous audits as a method of monitoring industry progress. In-plant cooler assessments and collections of beef carcass data took place from July 2021 to November 2022. During in-plant evaluations, 10% of 1-d production was surveyed for quality and yield indicating characteristics of fed beef carcasses (n = 9,746 beef carcasses). Distributions of sex classes among sampled carcasses were steer (65.0%) and heifer (35.0%), whereas distributions of breed type were native (87.7%), dairy (11.3%), and Bos indicus (0.9%). Mean values were observed for USDA Yield Grades (YG; 3.3), USDA Quality Grade (QG; Choice16), marbling score (Small98), ribeye area (91.0 cm2), adjusted fat thickness (1.49 cm), hot carcass weight (401.9 kg), and KPH (2.5%). Mean overall maturity was A66, with a mean lean maturity of A56 and mean skeletal maturity of A72. There were 28.1% of carcasses identified for use in a USDA-certified beef G-Schedule Program. Defects, such as dark cutting and blood splash, were observed at 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively. Distributions of USDA YG were YG 1 (8.2%), YG 2 (30.7%), YG 3 (40.2%), YG 4 (16.6%), and YG 5 (4.3%). USDA QGs were observed at 7.5% Prime, 69.2% Choice, 16.4% Select, and 6.8% other. The results of this study provide an updated look at the current grading trends of beef carcasses in the United States to drive progress in the fed beef industry. This aspect of the National Beef Quality Audit - 2022 focused on the in-plant carcass quality and yield characteristics from the fed steer and heifer population. Current USDA Quality and Yield Grade averages and distributions as well as comparisons to previous audits over the past 30 yr show trends that have evolved in important value-determining carcass traits. This phase of the National Beef Quality Audit - 2022 gathered quality- and yield-indicating characteristics of fed beef carcasses (n = 9,746 beef carcasses) representing 10% of 1-d production from 35 beef processing facilities from July 2021 to November 22, 2022. Distributions of sex classes among sampled carcasses were steer (65.0%) and heifer (35.0%), whereas distributions of breed type were native (87.7%), dairy (11.3%), and Bos indicus (0.9%). Mean values were observed for USDA YG (3.3), USDA QG (Choice16), marbling score (Small98), ribeye area (91.0 cm2), AFT (1.49 cm), HCW (401.9 kg), and KPH (2.5%). There were 28.1% of carcasses identified for use in a USDA-certified beef G-Schedule Program. Defects, such as dark cutting and blood splash, were observed at 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively. Distributions of USDA YG were YG 1 (8.2%), YG 2 (30.7%), YG 3 (40.2%), YG 4 (16.6%), and YG 5 (4.3%). USDA QGs were observed at 7.5% Prime, 69.2% Choice, 16.4% Select, and 6.8% other. Results of this study provide an updated look at the current grading trends of beef carcasses in the United States.

The quality grade system used in the United States to identify carcasses with superior eating satisfaction to consumers is based on the amount of marbling within the ribeye and the maturity of the carcass. However, the most important quality attribute for consumers is tenderness. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotypic correlations between carcass and meat quality traits of strip loin steaks from Brangus steers, particularly the relation between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) quality grade and tenderness. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values in this study averaged 5.10 ± 0.96 kg, slightly higher than the national average of 4.55 ± 1.14 kg. Average WBSF across all quality grades ranged from 4.90 to 5.27 kg with standard deviations ranging from 0.78 to 1.40 kg. In the present Brangus steer population, there was a weak negative (-0.13) but favorable correlation (P < 0.05) between marbling score and tenderness measured through WBSF. The USDA quality grade had a significant (P = 0.02) effect on WBSF. The WBSF least square means were significantly higher in the Select compared with the Choice¯, and Choiceº quality grades. The Choice⁺ and Prime quality grades were not significantly different from any quality grades regarding the WBSF. The standard quality grade did not have significantly different WBSF least square means from any other quality grade. The range of WBSF values was large, especially in the lower quality grade categories, indicating that there is considerable variation in tenderness, even within quality grade. The high level of variation in tenderness within USDA quality grades highlights the limitation of the USDA grading system to predict eating quality or tenderness.

Drying is one of the oldest methods of food preservation, involving the addition of salt and removal of water to generate a shelf-stable and nutrient-dense product. Pathogens have demonstrated the ability to adapt during a slow drying process, making them more resistant to dehydration and heat treatment. In Ethiopia, an inconsistent electrical grid makes refrigeration unreliable, making dried meat products desirable to consumers. The main dried beef product, qwanta, is very labor intensive to produce. It is therefore not well suited for commercial production and drying at ambient temperatures limits inactivation of pathogenic bacteria. This study quantitatively evaluated the inactivation kinetics of foodborne pathogens during the drying of a restructured beef jerky product produced by a heat treatment that could be applied in anEthiopian butcher shop. A secondary objective was to evaluate effects of including 15% (w/w) pureed dates or raisins into the formulation. Challenge studies were performed on 5 serotypes of Salmonella enterica, 3 strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7, and 3 strains of Campylobacter jejuni. Meat formulations were inoculated with stationary phase cultures, formed into strips, and dehydrated for 6 h in a home-style dehydrator. Samples were weighed pre- and post-drying, plated for enumeration of challenge strains each hour, and water activity (aw) was measured at each sampling interval. Nonlinear predictive models were fit to the inactivation data, revealing an inverse sigmoidal curve for S. enterica and concave downward curves for E. coli and Campylobacter. Salmonella and E. coli were reduced 4.56 ± 0.35 and 6.27 ± 0.69 log (CFU/g),respectively, after 6 h of drying, while Campylobacter was reduced below the limit of detection (>4.32 log [CFU/g] reduction) after 3 h of drying. Including dates (15% w/w) into formulation improved the reduction of S. enterica by 0.63 log (CFU/g) compared to the control (P=0.02), whereas the addition of raisins showed a non-significant improvement (0.50 log CFU/g; P=0.07). Modified processes to improve the safety and extend the shelf life of animal-sourced foods in Ethiopia can reduce the incidence of foodborne disease and provide consumers with a more convenient and accessible source of protein as well as reduce food waste. These predictive models and validation studies may be useful for Ethiopian and US jerky producers, giving them the ability to more accurately assess the microbial risk of their products

This new 18-page publication of the UF/IFAS Florida 4-H Youth Development Program is intended for 4-H members who want to participate in the Florida 4-H Tailgating Contest. The purpose of this document is to provide all relevant resources for youth to be able to participate in the Florida 4-H Tailgating Contest.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h423

This publication is the first of a four-part Wild Game series intended to help hunters and processors produce safe and delicious game meat products. Written by Chad Carr, Jason M. Scheffler, Michael Fioretto, Jennifer G. Bearden, and Halie Corbitt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2022.

The aim of this new 6-page document is to introduce the financial considerations for a market hog project, to maximize profits for the project and to demystify the unexpected expenses that are often incurred. Secondarily, this document is designed to serve as a guide in creating a market hog project budget. The audience for this document includes youth interested in or participating in a market hog project, their families, and other interested parties. Written by Alyssa Schortinghouse, Brian Estevez, Chad Carr, and Nick Simmons, and published by the UF/IFAS Florida 4-H Youth Development Program.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h426

This document discusses processing food safety for wild game meat. Topics include aging, carcass cutting, meat grinding, shelf life, freezing, and thawing. Written by Michael Fioretto, Chad Carr, Jason M. Scheffler, Jennifer G. Bearden, and Halie Corbitt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2022.

A disproportionate number of Animal Science (ANS) students start their program with the intent of pursuing veterinary school. While some succeed, most change career paths either by personal choice or not gaining admission into veterinary school. Ideally, the sooner a student identifies alternative career path(s), the more opportunities they have to prepare for those careers by pursuing additional classes and extracurriculars. The University of Florida (UF) is unique compared to peer institutions with a 30% freshman acceptance rate, an overwhelming 41% of UF ANS students arrive as transfers. This compresses the time to matriculate through the ANS curriculum and increases the urgency to redirect students into the numerous ANS career paths. The objective of this study is to better understand ANS student’s perceptions of careers. We conducted a career awareness survey at the start and end of the ANS3006 Introduction to Animal Science course over the past two years. Students (n=352) were asked demographic information, and completed an online instrument evaluating their awareness of career options available to them. Over 49% could not list more than two careers. Veterinarian was the most common and appeared on 76% of responses. Students are exposed to careers throughout each lecture module and related career-focused assignments. In the post test evaluation, 57% listed more than two careers, with the average increasing from 2.8 to 3.6 careers per student. Additionally, 18.8% of students indicated their career goals had changed over the course of the semester, with more than 2/3 or those being students who changed from a veterinary path. In conclusion, ANS students arriving at UF have a limited outlook on career options. While introduction to ANS has some success in expanding those options, more efforts need to be made in the current curriculum and through secondary education to increase awareness of ANS careers.

This publication discusses certified beef programs and carcass quality specifications. Written by Tracy Scheffler, Jason Scheffler, and Chad Carr, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, October 2021.

Carcass and meat quality are two important attributes for the beef industry because they drive profitability and consumer demand. These traits are of even greater importance in crossbred cattle used in subtropical and tropical regions for their superior adaptability because they tend to underperform compared to their purebred counterparts. Many of these traits are challenging and expensive to measure and unavailable until late in life or after the animal is harvested, hence unrealistic to improve through traditional phenotypic selection, but perfect candidates for genomic selection. Before genomic selection can be implemented in crossbred populations, it is important to explore if pleiotropic effects exist between carcass and meat quality traits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify genomic regions with pleiotropic effects on carcass and meat quality traits in a multibreed Angus–Brahman population that included purebred and crossbred animals. Data included phenotypes for 10 carcass and meat quality traits from 2,384 steers, of which 1,038 were genotyped with the GGP Bovine F-250. Single-trait genome-wide association studies were first used to investigate the relevance of direct additive genetic effects on each carcass, sensory and visual meat quality traits. A second analysis for each trait included all other phenotypes as covariates to correct for direct causal effects from identified genomic regions with pure direct effects on the trait under analysis. Five genomic windows on chromosomes BTA5, BTA7, BTA18, and BTA29 explained more than 1% of additive genetic variance of two or more traits. Moreover, three suggestive pleiotropic regions were identified on BTA10 and BTA19. The 317 genes uncovered in pleiotropic regions included anchoring and cytoskeletal proteins, key players in cell growth, muscle development, lipid metabolism and fat deposition, and important factors in muscle proteolysis. A functional analysis of these genes revealed GO terms directly related to carcass quality, meat quality, and tenderness in beef cattle, including calcium-related processes, cell signaling, and modulation of cell–cell adhesion. These results contribute with novel information about the complex genetic architecture and pleiotropic effects of carcass and meat quality traits in crossbred beef cattle.

The Florida 4-H Poultry BBQ program has existed for years, and the program for red meat cookery has been a huge success in Tennessee 4-H. With sponsorship for the winners at the state level, the Florida 4-H Tailgate Contest program will be a success in Florida as well. This program will strive to promote enjoyable outdoor cooking experiences, encourage the incorporation of animal protein in the diet in order to combat childhood obesity, improve youth nutritional knowledge and cooking skills, and impart knowledge about safe handling and proper degree of doneness to produce safe and delicious meat dishes. This 2-page fact sheet is the third publication in the Florida 4-H Tailgateseries, and it discusses fire-building. Written by Chad Carr, Brian Estevez, Sonja Crawford, Jason Scheffler, George Baker, Ed Jennings, and Mark Mauldin, and published by the 4-H Youth Development Department, December 2016. ­http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h374

The Florida 4-H Poultry BBQ program has existed for years, and the program for red meat cookery has been a huge success in Tennessee 4-H. With sponsorship for the winners at the state level, the Florida 4-H Tailgate Contest program will be a success in Florida as well. This program will strive to promote enjoyable outdoor cooking experiences, encourage the incorporation of animal protein in the diet in order to combat childhood obesity, improve youth nutritional knowledge and cooking skills, and impart knowledge about safe handling and proper degree of doneness to produce safe and delicious meat dishes. This 2-page fact sheet is the fourth publication in the Florida 4-H Tailgateseries, and it discusses smoking and slow cooking meat. Written by Chad Carr, Brian Estevez, Sonja Crawford, Jason Scheffler, George Baker, Ed Jennings, and Mark Mauldin, and published by the 4-H Youth Development Department, December 2016. ­http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h375

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has allowed for transcriptional profiling of biological systems through the identification of differentially expressed (DE) genes and pathways. A total of 80 steers with extreme phenotypes were selected from the University of Florida multibreed Angus-Brahman herd. The average slaughter age was 12.91±8.69 months. Tenderness, juiciness and connective tissue assessed by sensory panel, along with marbling, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) and cooking loss, were measured in longissimus dorsi muscle. Total RNA was extracted from muscle and one RNA-seq library per sample was constructed, multiplexed, and sequenced based on protocols by Illumina HiSeq-3000 platform to generate 2×101 bp paired-end reads. The overall read mapping rate using the Btau_4.6.1 reference genome was 63%. A total of 8,799 genes were analyzed using two different methodologies, an expression association and a DE analysis. A gene and exon expression association analysis was carried out using a meat quality index on all 80 samples as a continuous response variable. The expression of 208 genes and 3,280 exons from 1,565 genes was associated with the meat quality index (p-value ≤ 0.05). A gene and isoform DE evaluation was performed analyzing two groups with extreme WBSF, tenderness and marbling. A total of 676 (adjusted p-value≤0.05), 70 (adjusted p-value≤0.1) and 198 (adjusted p-value≤0.1) genes were DE for WBSF, tenderness and marbling, respectively. A total of 106 isoforms from 98 genes for WBSF, 13 isoforms from 13 genes for tenderness and 43 isoforms from 42 genes for marbling (FDR≤0.1) were DE. Cytoskeletal and transmembrane anchoring genes and pathways were identified in the expression association, DE and the gene enrichment analyses; these proteins can have a direct effect on meat quality. Cytoskeletal proteins and transmembrane anchoring molecules can influence meat quality by allowing cytoskeletal interaction with myocyte and organelle membranes, contributing to cytoskeletal structure and architecture maintenance postmortem.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) offer a unique platform through which Extension can provide valuable education. We explored The Meat We Eat, a MOOC designed to create a more informed meat consumer and increase perceptions of transparency surrounding meat production. Compared to pretest respondents (n = 490), students who completed the posttest (n = 226) had an improved attitude toward meat and slaughter, an improved perception of the meat industry’s transparency, and increased knowledge. These findings suggest the relevance and value of MOOCs as Extension activities for improving knowledge and attitudes toward animal agriculture and other topics.