Page 4 - National Poultry Newspaper

Talk to your local butcher about sourcing pasture raised chickens, if willing to pay a premium. This Ross Cobb was pasture raised. I can personally vouch for its meatiness and taste.
Look for slow-raised free range chickens to avoid white striping.
White striping a black mark on bulky broiler breeding
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A NEW report from ani- mal welfare non-profit the Humane League, which examined super- markets in 29 states in the US, found chicken breasts demonstrating ‘white striping’ in nearly every one.
face of breast fillets. White striping can also appear on tenders and
pacted, increasing from 7 percent to 21 percent.
Page 4 – National Poultry Newspaper, November 2021
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White striping is a mus- cle disease reportedly im- pacting 50-96 percent of fast growing chickens.
mane League, white strip- ing can appear in varying degrees and is not only a visual representation of the welfare issues the chicken suffered as a con- sequence of fast growth, but it also impacts the quality of the products.
The meat retains less moisture.
In the US more than nine billion broiler chick- ens are processed every year.
Overall, white striping means lower quality meat. For the most part, I avoid buying chicken breasts at the supermarket, gener-
With breast meat being so popular, birds have long been selectively bred for bigger breast muscle.
The nutritional value of the chicken meat reduces when white striping is present, with higher intra- muscular fat content and increased collagen to total protein ratio.
ally finding them bland. Similarly, I have long avoided chicken breast when on offer in restau-
Due to this selective breeding, chickens now reach market weight in 60 percent less time than broilers did 50 years ago.
Their growth rate means they are slaughtered at only 47 days.
rant dishes.
Again, too often bland
Two breeds – Cobb 500 and Ross 308 – make up 90 percent of broilers eat- en in the US today.
and too often dry.
So, what to do?
I guess, subject to what
Studies have shown a correlation between the presence of white striping and increased growth rate, slaughter weight and high breast meat yield.
Studies reportedly found a 224 percent fat content increase, a 9 percent pro- tein decrease, and a 10 percent collagen increase when comparing normal breast muscle with those severely affected by white striping.
you have in your wal- let, purse, credit or deb- it account, try to select chicken meat from slower growing chickens.
The disease is a conse- quence of fat cells taking the place of protein cells.
The increase in collagen levels means that the pro- tein in the chicken is less digestible and there is a deficiency in some essen- tial amino acids.
Chances are that also means they’ll have led a better life in a better envi- ronment.
The fat cells are vis- ible as white striations running parallel to the muscle fibres, predomi- nantly seen on the sur-
You then have a greater chance of enjoying the taste experience you want and indeed deserve.
some thigh muscles. Breeding for fast growth and increased breast size has profoundly altered muscle architecture and
White-striped meat has a softer texture and lower water holding and binding capacity.
metabolism.
According to the Hu-
During cooking it influ- ences how the meat picks up a marinade.
Fat calories are also im-
Makes sense if you can afford it.
Personally, I favour pas- ture raised.
Ag minister support for sector at UN
NATIONAL Farm- ers’ Federation chief executive Tony Mahar has welcomed remarks by Minister David Lit- tleproud at the United Nations Food Systems Summit in a session devoted to leader’s statements.
following important ar- eas:
and more sustainable food production systems • Australia will con- tinue to partner with other nations, by shar- ing technology and re-
“We are pleased the Australian Agriculture Minister was able to participate in this inter- national event.”
• The Australian Gov- ernment is introducing a biodiversity stewardship program to improve and measure biodiversity, this will be a world- leading program
critical of the structure and engagement process of the UNFSS.
“Making sure Aus- tralia’s voice is heard at these forums is critical.
• Australia is investing $200 million to improve soil science, which will increase production and enable Australian farm- ers to measure carbon abatement and assist in meeting carbon com- mitments
“Our priority is to en- sure the false notion that the solution to climate change is destocking and adopting a com- pletely plant-based diet, does not gain traction.” Mr Mahar said.
“Agriculture is leading the world in emissions reduction and landscape management and is do- ing seminal work on ag- ricultural stewardship.”
“To take this discus- sion beyond the UNF- SS, we welcome an agreement by Minister Littleproud for Aus- tralia to join the Global Sustainable Livestock Coalition.”
In a pre-recorded presentation, Minister Littleproud covered the
• Australia is shar- ing science to foster a healthier environment
• Investment in re- search and development and new technologies will help make Aus- tralian farm production more sustainable
search.
The NFF has been