 A groundbreaking new calculator is now available that can help cattle producers predict weight and fat specifications of animals destined for store and prime markets.
The BeefSpecs calculator was designed by the Beef CRC to assist cattle producers to make more accurate management decisions that could increase carcase compliance rates for fatness and weight targets specific to various beef markets.
Whether producers are supplying the local trade, the butcher trade, supermarkets or even the export market, they get paid on weight and fatness. There are significant penalties for animals which are under-done or are over-fat.
According to MLA, up to 25 percent of Australian cattle fail to meet targets for hot standard carcase weight (HSCW) and fat specifications, at a cost of between $15 and $30 a head, depending on the target market.
The online BeefSpecs calculator requires users to input initial live weight, P8 fat depth and frame score (an indication of frame size relative to age) to define the growth and maturity parameters of cattle while still on-farm.
The likely or possible parameters relating to HGP usage, average daily weight gain, feed type (grain or grass) and the system and duration of grazing/feeding are then input into the calculator to predict, on a group average basis, final fat depth and live and carcase weight attributes.
MLA’s Southern Beef Manager, Angus Hobson, said the simple-to-use BeefSpecs calculator will help cattle producers make informed management decisions and allow them to better meet market specifications.
“Increasing carcase compliance rates for fatness and weight targets specific to various beef markets is an important profit driver for beef businesses, especially those supplying feeder steers and finished cattle for high quality markets,” Mr Hobson said.
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 Dr Heather Burrow, Chief Executive Officer, Beef CRC said the BeefSpecs calculator is a practical example of how the Beef CRC is helping producers better meet market specifications.
“Producers can use this information to make better management decisions. They might want to make their animals grow faster, or let them grow out gradually so they don’t get too fat,” she said.
Dr Burrow paid tribute to the dedication of the team of scientists involved in developing the BeefSpecs calculator, adding it truly was a collaborative effort, led very capably by Mr Bill McKiernan, NSW DPI, Orange.
“This launch wouldn’t have been possible without the large team of scientists, extension staff and industry collaborators,” she said.
“New South Wales Department of Primary industries (NSWDPI), University of New England (UNE), the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and also the University of California, Davis all contributed to getting this calculator up and running.”
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Mr Hobson said if the calculator predicts the animals will exceed the required specifications, the input information can be revised and the animals can be managed accordingly so that they do meet specifications.
"This has obvious advantages in terms of improving production and cost efficiencies," he said.
A recent study of feedlot cattle showed that in a 20,000 head sample of animals being finished for short-fed markets, 28 percent missed HSCW specifications, forfeiting $31,000 ($5.50/head) and 16 percent missed P8 fat specifications, forfeiting $54,000 ($17.50/head).
The current version of BeefSpecs is limited to group-only applications with Bos taurus (British/European) steers, however work is already underway to enhance its application to heifers and steers of all breeds and composites.
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