Archive photo
Photo: AFP
A garlic flavored cow
Veterinarian researchers find that garlic used to ward off cattle ticks also improves taste of beef
Soon there'll be no need to season your steak as cows will be fed garlic flavored hay.
The Veterinarian Institute at the Agricultural Ministry recently conducted comprehensive research into the food being fed to cattle raised for meat. Contrary to the black and white dairy cows, cattle grown for beef spend most of their time pasturing outdoors and often become infested with ticks.
Research conducted by Dr Varda Shkapf, an expert on parasites at the veterinarian institute, found that cattle fed with garlic hay let off such a pungent odor that even the ticks kept away.
Cattle that had not been fed with the garlic hay were found to be infested with ticks three times greater than those who had been fed the garlic hay.
"Results clearly showed that garlic wards off the ticks," Professor Dan Levanon, the chief scientist at the institute said Sunday. "We know that garlic remains inside the cattle's body and may even improve the taste of the beef," he added.
For those concerned that the steak on their plate may let off a strong smell of garlic can rest assured: Researchers say the garlic taste and its odor will be very mild, but more importantly, the meat will be tastier.
