Argentine animal nutrition company Coneco announced a new category of classification for cattle, called MEJ (young intact male), as the result of a study conducted by company researchers, which purports to give “higher quality” and higher yield animal based products.

The purpose of this study was to accelerate the production cycle, improve efficiency, and increase the supply of “quality” meat for domestic consumption in Argentina and for export. Using different breeds of cattle, researchers found that the quality characteristics of products obtained from intact (non-castrated) young males were comparable to those obtained from the best steers, with higher yield. Cattle of this type were given a new classification called MEJ, or young intact male.