Double-muscled cattle refers to breeds of cattle that carry a mutation which represses the myostatin protein, consequently augmenting muscle growth. Affected breeds include:
Belgian Blue
Piedmontese
Parthenais
Myostatin (formerly known as Growth differentiation factor 8) is a growth factor that limits muscle tissue growth, i.e. higher concentrations of myostatin in the body may cause the individual to have less developed muscles. The myostatin protein is produced primarily in skeletal muscle cells, circulates in the blood and lymph and acts on muscle tissue, apparently by slowing down the development of muscle stem cells. The precise mechanism remains unknown. Its functions in non-mammalian vertebrates appear to be somewhat conserved as muscle-specific actions have been demonstrated in birds. However, it is produced in many different fish tissues, suggesting that it may regulate more than just muscle mass in these vertebrates.
Go here for discussion on grading...Jeanne - Simme Valley":2wv9bp3f said:Cattle that are truly double muscled do not grade under the USDA inspection. They are considered a "no roll" - meaning they are not eligible to be graded (Prime, Choice, Select, etc.)
;-) Yup, that would be me! Here is a picture of the sire of one of my cows....Kenz":1lmijd6r said:thanks yall for the responses! CKC, you sound like a piedmontese fan
CKC1586":1q44x6ga said:;-) Yup, that would be me! Here is a picture of the sire of one of my cows....Kenz":1q44x6ga said:thanks yall for the responses! CKC, you sound like a piedmontese fan
CKC1586":31tvsxdm said::? Huh?? I thought I said he is sire of one of my cows...aka The Daddy to one of the girls...
Nope no structural problems.Kenz":14b2q92h said:CKC, thats an impressive bull. piedmontese do look different than other breeds, but then i guess thats the point
do doubled muscled cattle develop have a tendency to develop structural problems? i really have no idea, just asking
Good looking bull..........CKC1586":31875r4i said:;-) Yup, that would be me! Here is a picture of the sire of one of my cows....Kenz":31875r4i said:thanks yall for the responses! CKC, you sound like a piedmontese fan
Only feet issues we have had are that we do routinely trim our show cattle. Occasionally will need to trim one that isn't wearing them off.Loch Valley Fold":31h6s6kl said:CKC that is one impressive bull I love the muscling on him, reminds me of the type of cattle my parents friends had years ago & why I like this breed. They would really add some bum to my Jerseys ;-)
Do you have much feet problems with the Pieds ?
Jane