BEEF farmers now will be able to market their cattle as “Grain Fed Finished” after feeding them grain for 35 days export or sale, agriculture minister David Littleproud has announced.
This is expected to help farmers and exporters get premium prices from overseas customers.
Previously, just two standards existed: “Grain Fed” and “Grain Fed Young Beef”.
“Grain fed” required the cattle to be fed on grain for 80 of the past 100 days while “Grain Fed Young Beef” required grain to be fed 50 of the past 60 days for females and 70 days for males.
“This new “Grain Fed Finished” standard means farmers can feed the cattle grain for 35 days and reap the benefits of selling as “Grain Fed Finished”,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The science says 35 days on grain produces the fat colour attribute associated with grain-fed beef. Thirty-five days on one property means cattle are Meat Standards Australia accredited, too.
“The standard requires the cattle be fed on a specified high energy grain diet. As Australians, we refuse to compromise on quality.”
The new standard is already in operation, having been signed into regulation.
