7.01 - Beef cattle market specifications
There is 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 onfarm efficiencies.
Examples of animal and carcase specifications for several markets available to the southern Australian beef industry
Owner and managers should consult with their potential customers to determine precise specifications as these can change over time.
| Characteristic | Market | ||
| Japan | EU | Local trade MSA | |
| HSCW (kg) | 300–420 | 320–420 | 160–220 |
| Dentition (adult teeth) | 0–6 | 0–4 | 0 |
| P8 fat depth (mm) | 7–22 | 6–22 | 3–10 |
| Butt/muscle shape score | A–C | A–C | A–C |
| Bruising | Nil | Nil | – |
| Sex | Steer and female | Steer and female | Steer and female |
| Ossification score | – | – | < 180 |
| Marbling score | – | – | > 0.5 |
| Fat colour score | 0–3 | 0–3 | 0 |
| Meat colour grade | – | 1b–3 | 1a–2 |
| Eye muscle area (cm2) | – | > 85 | 70 |
| Ultimate muscle pH | – | – | < 5.71 |
| Loin temperature (℃) | – | – | < 9 |
| Retail meat yield (%) | – | – | 70 |
| HGP status
|
–
|
Free | Yes |
| Acceptable compliance (%)
|
– | 90 | 85 |
| Characteristic | Long-fed 220+ days |
Mid-fed 120–150 days |
Short-fed 100 days |
Trade 70 days |
| Sex | Steer | Steer | Steer | Steer and female |
| Dentition (adult teeth) | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0 |
| Breed | Angus, Murray Grey, Shorthorn | British breeds and crosses | British breeds, Bos indicuscrosses, European crosses | British breeds, Bos indicuscrosses, European crosses |
| Empty entry weight (kg) | 400–600 | 420–480 | 440–480 | 250–350 |
| HGP status | Free | Free | Any | Any |
| Frame score | > 4.5 | > 4.5 | > 4.5 | – |
| Muscle score | C+ | C+ | C+ | D+ |
| Condition score | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| Temperament | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet, weaned, yard broken |
| Characteristics | Long-fed 220+ days |
Mid-fed 150 days |
Mid-fed 120 days |
Short-fed 100 days |
| HSCW (kg) | 380–450 | 300–420 | 300–450 | 300–40 |
| Dentition (adult teeth) | 0–6 | 0–6 | 0–6 | 0–4 |
| P8 fat depth (mm) | 10–40 | 10–27 | 10–27 | 6–22 |
| Marbling score | 3 up | 2 up 50% 2 up |
1 up | Any |
| Fat colour score | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Meat colour score | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Eye muscle area (cm2) | – | > 85 | > 85 | > 85 |
| Antibiotic status | Free | Free | Free | – |
| Retail meat yield (%) | 67–69 | 68–70 | 65–70 | – |
| HGP status | Free | Free | Free | Any |
| Liveweight equivalents (kg) | ||||
| • minimum | 670 | 550 | 550 | 540 |
| • maximum | 800 | 750 | 800 | 720 |
| Acceptable compliance (%) | 70 | 90 | 90 | 96 |
| Characteristic | Breeding females | Store weaners |
| Breed | Angus | Hereford |
| No. head required | 25 | 200 |
| Liveweight | 480 | 220 |
| Frame score | 4.5 | 5 |
| Dentition (adult teeth) | 2 | 0 |
| Age (months) | 24 | 7 |
| Condition score | 2.5 | 1 |
| Butt/muscle shape | A–C | A–C |
| Bloodlines | Te Mania | – |
| Sex | Female | Steer and female |
| Pregnancy status | Pregnancy-tested, in-calf (PTIC) | – |
| Calving date | 25 July 03 | – |
| Breedplan EBVs | Yes | – |
| Marbling (%) | 2.1 | 0.5 |
| Feed conversion efficiency | 8:1 | – |
| Eye muscle area (cm2) | – | – |
| Structural soundness | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Quiet | – |
| Health treatments | 7 in 1 | – |
| HGP status | Free | Free |
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