There are an ever-increasing number of markets available to southern Australia beef producers. Each of these has particular specifications that must be met to attract the highest price. A sound knowledge of the specification requirements is fundamental to the development of production pathways and to the decision to target certain markets in line with global demands and regional on-farm efficiencies.
Beef specifications website
NSW Agriculture has developed an interactive beef specifications website, which is available to the public at: www.agric.nsw.gov.au/tools/cattle
This website contains specification details at the processing, feedlot, backgrounding and live export levels and is maintained in four separate categories:
• Slaughter specifications – specifying processor requirements for slaughter cattle;
• Feeder specifications – specifying requirements for feeder cattle entering feedlots;
• Backgrounder specifications – specifying requirements for companies who prepare cattle for entry to feedlots;
• Live export – specifying requirements for cattle for export as live animals.
Each of these categories can be viewed at three levels of detail:
1. The summary page provides a useful overview of available specifications;
2. View the specification details page to compare the essential elements of similar specifications; and
3. At the bottom of the specification details, there is a link to the full specification page, which provides extra information, eg: company preferences, for a more detailed study.
Both the ‘Specification details’ and ‘Full specifications’ pages include the date on which each specification was last updated. Company contact details are available on the ‘Full specification’ pages.
Examples for southern Australia markets
Tables of animal and carcase specifications for several markets available to the southern Australian beef industry
Owner/managers should consult with their potential customers to determine precise specifications, which can change over time.
