Opportunities for Growth in Australian Grain-Fed Beef

According to Angus Gidley-Baird, senior animal protein analyst: “Maximising the chances of succeeding in these markets will require adjustments to the Australian beef system. Producers, backgrounders, feedlots, and processors will all need to be aligned.” Producers and backgrounders will need to produce more consistent volumes and animals with qualities that will perform in feedlot systems. Feedlots will need to better manage feed grain supplies and to encourage crop farmers to focus on feed grain production, and processors will need to incentivise the production of meats with qualities that meet the market specifications. At a time when China is the centre of global beef demand growth, there is an opportunity for the Australian industry to capitalise on the growing need for grain-fed beef.