More beef carcases are meeting the specification targets demanded by processors, according to the National Beef Association.
Over half the cattle sold are reaching the so-called "Golden Box" of EUR-234L on the classification grid, even though a greater proportion of cattle on offer are dairy-bred, including O- and P conformation Holstein bulls. "This is the result of a noticeable swing towards leanness, which has seen much fewer carcases graded Fat Class 4H and a noticeable increase in Fat Class 3s, which testifies to increased management and drawing skills."
And at the same time there has been an equally obvious move away from O+ conformation cattle and a surge in U- classifications instead. "Ten years ago the former accounted for 32.3% of cattle forward, with only 9.9% hitting U-; but a drive to improve conformation means that just 26.6% showed 0- last year while 13% hit U-," said NBA director, Kim Haywood.
However, the NBA is certain British processors will continue to tighten specifications, resulting in an even wider price gap between cattle that conform and those that do not.