HEREFORDS FIT THE EU MARKET

Wellington, NSW, beef producer Paul Mason who finishes around 1200 steers a year relies on Herefords, EU compliance plus soil and pasture health to hit the right specifications and pick up a 15 to 20c/kg premium.

He is a regular buyer of the top pens of Herefords and paid 247c/kg or $842.27 for 341 kg EU accredited Hereford calves at the weaner sales in January this year at Hamilton, Vic.

"In the grass fed game, Herefords can take more adverse conditions in the paddock and they suit me because I am trying to get steers to that 700 kg mark", he said.

"I buy Herefords with good quality genetics to get the best possible performance in terms of weight gain without the cattle getting over fat".

Mr Mason obtained his EU three years ago when he recognised that most of the cattle he was buying were EU accredited anyway and he could see no reason not to switch to EU particularly when there was more money in that market.

This also means he walks past non-EU pens decreasing the competition for non-EU cattle.  JBS Australia also has the same attitude at many sales and has been a big buyer of EU accredited Herefords for the EU Hilton quota for short fed beef.

Mr Mason has been a long time specialist finisher on his 1700ha property "New Oakleigh Farm" in central NSW.

"Getting my EU accreditation was not that difficult - I was already doing much of what was required" he said.

Incoming weights are 320-350 kgs for Herefords sourced from private sellers and store sales throughout NSW and Victoria.

He aims to finish steers on improved pastures within 12 months of purchase turning them off at 600-700 kg liveweight through JBS Australia's Dinmore, Qld, plant.

Mr Mason often pays the top price buyer at store sales and makes no apology for chasing quality Herefords at all times. He believes that buying good quality Herefords suited for the EU market gives him the best possible opportunity to maximise the premium he receives.

The Herefords at 'New Oakleigh Farm' are not supplemented but benefit from good soil and pasture health. A balanced approach is taken to soil chemistry to promote optimal plant growth using trace elements such as calcium, magnesium and lime.

Herefords Australia's CEO Warren Clark urged Hereford producers to become EU accredited to benefit from the growth in that market.

"Herefords are the perfect fit for the EU market and their versatility means they are in demand for both the grass finished and the new grain finished EU markets," he said.

Mr Mason also suggested he may be forced to pay even more for his Hereford steers in the future due to the additional competition from feedlots wanting EU accredited Herefords for their short-fed EU quotas.

Click here to view image of specialist cattle finisher Paul Mason who relies on EU accredited Herefords to provide premiums of up to 15-20c/kg.