December 10, 2018
Beef producers will now be able to market their cattle as “Grain Fed Finished” after feeding them grain for 35 days before sale or export – and will be able to ask a premium for these animals.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud announced the change on Monday
Previously, only 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.
“Until the regulation passes Parliament, feedlot operators and brand owners can get permission to use the ‘Grain Fed Finished’ label by getting an exemption from current Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Orders 2005.”
Exemptions to use GFF are available now by contacting the Department of Agriculture on (02) 6272-3059 or by email
