A Feedlot Sire Evaluation Scheme to improve the commercial competitiveness of Australian Grain Fed Beef

Summary

The international competitive nature of the food industry, in which beef is just one of the many food products c

Whilst no one would argue against the logic of this sharpened market focus, so often promoted, actually being able to purchase and process cattle that perform predictably to the required market specifications remains a major obstacle. With the C

performance. The projects have collectively evaluated the performance of over 4594 steers representing 371 beef sires purchased from 97 southern Australian beef herds The performance of a further 7748 northern Australian bred steers have also been evaluated. The northern Australian steers were not from known sires but represented 236 vendors and a range of breeds and crosses.

Feeder steer genetics and vendor i.e. property of origin were both found to be key management factors that contributed to the success in achieving the required market specifications and cost effeciency of grain fed beef production. The commercial implications of this result were demonstrated in a performance based payment trial conducted by one of the co-operating commercial feedlots where, after distribution of performance bonuses there was a 49cents/kg liveweight (or $210 per head) difference in bonus payments made to the top and bottom performing vendors participating in the trial. Clearly, Australian grain fed beef's international competitiveness could be improved if producers are encouraged to more closely align their on farm breeding program to specific markets. The catalyst to achieve this is the introduction of performance based payment schemes.​

The M112 project has also highlighted that aside from feeder steer genetics and other vendor controlled factors there are other pre feedlot and feedlot related management factors that also have an important influence on commercial feeder steer performance. Performance based payment systems need to reflect this if the premiums and discount paid are to be equitable for both parties.