Club helps meet carcass targets
Club helps meet carcass targets
PRODUCERS, processors and ret-ailers must work more closely to provide beef more effectively and cost-efficiently. And farmers have a key role in turning out consistent cattle which meet market requirements as one Irish beef club has shown.
Keenan beef system specialist David Hendy outlined the achievements of the Ireland-based Keenan Keepak beef club at an AgriVision seminar. Of cattle produced by the club, 87% met target carcass classification specifications compared with about 40% of other cattle produced in Ireland and the UK.
"The club was formed in 1998 to supply specific target markets, initially Italy, but other European opportunities evolved. These demanded a specified conformation, carcass weight, fat and meat colour 52 weeks/year."
The KK club has more than 150 producer members supplying 35-1000 head of cattle each. "Supply of cattle to end markets has grown. In 1998, the trial year, we supplied 1200 animals. This grew to 30,000 in 2000, 15,000 so far this year – the fall mainly due to Continental BSE problems – and we expect to supply 35,000 next year, as BSE concerns fade."
Each club producer followed a production blueprint that covered breeding, calf rearing, nutrition and target growth rates. Animals were slaughtered by 18 months old, a departure from traditional Irish finishing systems, said Mr Hendy.
"Meeting club targets for the group with traditional production methods is impossible, but technical input and feedback of information has improved consistency of cattle dramatically."
Processors looked for 270-380kg carcass weights, fat cover 3-4L and a carcass conformation of R or better, he said. "Carcass consistency guarantees a market and a premium of between 10% and 18%." *