7.03 - BeefSpecs

The MLA BeefSpecs calculator is an electronic tool that assists producers to meet target market specifications on time.

The keys to meeting market specifications are to understand the specifications and customer requirements, to assess and monitor the progress of your animals, to manage the grazing system or use high quality finishing systems, to seek feedback and to evaluate marketing options regularly.

Figure 1: Screenshot of BeefSpecs

Current market specifications for beef cattle are primarily based on carcase weight and rump (or P8) fat thickness.

BeefSpecs allows you to easily explore the factors that affect fat deposition (and therefore fat thickness) at a future point in an animal’s growth path. You can use this information to determine if and what management changes are needed to alter that growth path, thereby assisting a greater proportion of your animals to meet market specifications.

The BeefSpecs calculator can be downloaded onto your computer from the MLA website: www.mla.com.au/beefspecs or you can use it online.

Acknowledgements

MLA acknowledges the matching funds provided by the Australian Government to support the research and development of this tool.

BeefSpecs was developed by the CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies and made available to producers by MLA.