Gold Box Beef
Gold Box Beef from CAFRE suckler herd
Dr Norman Weatherup, Beef Technologist, CAFRE, Greenmount Campus and Connor Maguire, CAFRE, Enniskillen Campus
The Premium Quality beef herd was established at CAFRE, Enniskillen Campus in 2003 with four main objectives
- To produce "gold box" carcases suitable for the UK and European supermarket trade. ("gold box"= E,U,R grades at fat class 3 and 4L)
- To evaluate the maternal value of cows of 100 percent continental genetics
- To establish and maintain a bio-secure self-sustaining suckler herd
- To anticipate the return of high value cull cows to the food chain.
The herd is a criss-cross breeding programme between Simmental and Limousin to maximise hybrid vigour whilst maintaining a closed herd.
Who is involved?
The project is a partnership between the Northern Ireland Simmental Club, Dungannon Meats and CAFRE.
How was the herd established?
Initially maiden heifers and weanlings which were crosses between Simmental and Limousin were selected. These animals were subjected to a rigorous testing protocol to ensure that only animals that were tested free from a range of diseases were purchased. Heifers were AI’d with an easy calving Simmental bull (Cleenagh Flasher). In subsequent years Simmental bulls used included Dirnanean Jacob, Milnafua Graduate, Starline Klassik and Kilbride Farm Newry.
Bull selection was firmly based on performance criteria. All are Superior status for eye muscle area or milk with several being Elite for these traits. Where possible, sires with BOTH carcase and maternal traits are used to give the highest possible value to male and female offspring. Any cows not in calf after the second AI are run with the Limousin stock bull.
What has happened so far?
Conception rates
Typically 75 percent of cows have held to the first service with another 10 percent holding to the second service.
In the first year 85 percent of the heifers calved by themselves or with only slight assistance. The following year 92 percent of the cows calved by themselves or with only slight assistance.
Replacements
As the herd was established using young heifers and weanlings no replacement heifers have been required as yet. Instead of slaughtering all the heifers a batch were sold to a project partnership farmer. His first heifers have now calved successfully at close to two years old with records indicating that they have excellent temperament and conformation.
Carcase data
The first batch of steers have now been slaughtered close to two years old with the results shown in the following table:-
| Cold Weight (kg) | 384 |
|---|---|
| Conformation grade | 3.4 (R=3, U=4) |
| Fat Class | 3.4 (Fat class 3=3, 4L=4) |
| Age (days) | 750 |
| Average daiy carcase gain from birth (kg/d) | 0.48 |
Financial data (2003-2004)
| Per cow | Premium Quality beef herd | Top 25% Bench,arking herds |
|---|---|---|
| Sales (£) | 588 | 614 |
| Replacement Cost (£)* | 35 | 46 |
| Grassland Cost (£)* | 110 | 73 |
| Concentrate Cost (£) | 55 | 116 |
| Vet & Misc Cost (£) | 73 | 56 |
| Total Var Costs (£) | 238 | 245 |
| Gross Margin (£) | 315 | 323 |
| EUR 3,4L grades (%) (Gold Box Standard) |
80 | 71 |
* estimated values
Another batch of heifers have been placed on the same partnership farm this year and will be managed to calve down in spring 2007. A batch of male calves born in 2005 will be finished as bull beef in early summer 2006.
With OTMS now ended and exports hopefully resuming in April 2006 there will be an opportunity to finish some of the cows for the food chain. These cows should have a very high value as cull animals.
Conclusions
This herd is clearly demonstrating the value of cows selected for maternal and carcase values
- 80 percent of steer progeny from heifer dams are hitting the "Gold Box" standard. This should increase to 100 percent as the herd become fully established.
- The input of high value maternal replacements will further enhance the value of the herd.
- Although no cows have yet been culled it is expected that cull cows will achieve top cull cow market prices.
- Financial data places the herd in the top 25 percent of benchmarked herds in the first full year of trading.
- An open day for farmers interested in establishment of high quality suckler herds will be held in summer – more details to follow!