New tool to help beef producers maximise profits

A new and improved online calculator is set to transform the marketing of cattle in NSW and help producers maximise profits and better meet customer requirements.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Research Leader Animal Production, Michael Beer, said that BeefSpecs will help farmers target specific beef markets and get the most value out of their cattle operation.

"BeefSpecs is an online livestock model that predicts the future weight and fat levels in beef cattle," Mr Beer said.

"The tool allows farmers to make more informed management decisions and meet various customer specifications for weight, fat scores and other beef carcase requirements.

"The online calculator requires producers to input current live weight, rump fat depth, and frame score and provides an initial snapshot of growth and maturity parameters of cattle while on farm.

"Drawing on this analysis – and further information on animal sex, breed, hormonal growth treatment and growth rates – the calculator then estimates the beef carcase characteristics at point of sale.

"This allows producers to forward-plan and put in place strategies to ensure their cattle meet market requirements."

Michael Beer said market compliance is a major issue and the failure of producers to meet customer requirements is costing the industry millions of dollars in lost profit each year.

"Some 25 per cent of cattle fail to meet targets for carcase weights and fat specifications, at a cost of between $15 and $30 a head, depending on the target market," Mr Beer said.

"BeefSpecs arms producers with the right information to reduce non compliance and maximise their profits come selling time."

BeefSpecs has been developed by NSW DPI and Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies in collaboration with Meat and Livestock Australia, University of New England, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, University of California Davis, and US Department of Agriculture Meat Animal Research Center.

BeefSpecs is available at: http://beefspecs.agriculture.nsw.gov.au/

Email: