I have no badger meat to compare but you are correct about the axe being the cause.
I found the axe in flotsam before the announcement thread was made, I didn't notice any buffs on it at the time but it shows a Made from Dill (427%) buff. Split branches show Dill percentage when done with said axe. A new stone axe made with these branches also keeps the Made from Dill (427%) completely. Comparing the branches split from normal and dill axe of same quality shows no q difference.
EDIT: Tested on a Boar, see image for results. I could not get axes to be the exact same q but Dill infused, lower q axe gives better meat.

Last edited by Rendercat on Fri Apr 19, 2019 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.