KING Island farmer Michael Youd trades and finishes various British and Euro cattle breeds, and a recent shipment of 114 Angus all but three head were Meat Standards Australia (MSA) graded.
Mr Youd has been on King Island since he was five and represents the fifth generation to farm on the island off the north-western tip of Tasmania’s main island.
The family had bred Angus cattle, but five years ago they decided it would be more financially responsive to trade cattle.
They now buy Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn and Charolais cattle, mostly steers, sourcing as many as possible from King Island and the remainder from Yea and Bairnsdale store sales in Victoria.
Mr Youd said those yards provided good sized yardings of quality cattle, which meant he could get a trailer full of cattle.
He aims to buy cattle at about 300 kilograms, 10 to 12 months, and can buy heavier animals depending on prices.
He said sourcing cattle at that weight meant he could turn them off within 12 months, so they did not have to be carried through a second of King Island’s wet and cold winters.
Cattle graze on pastures of predominantly Victorian ryegrass and white and strawberry clovers.
Mr Youd said King Island was deficient in copper, B12 and selenium, so he administered the vitamins and minerals through injections and water-mixes.
On the 352 hectares owned and 223ha leased in central King Island, the operation turns off between 900 and 1000 head a year – selling about half to JBS Australia at Longford, Tasmania, and half to Greenham Tasmania at Smithton, Tas.
The heavier cattle are pulled out when they weigh more than 600kg.
Mr Youd said it was important to have them separated from the mob for three weeks to ensure they settled down before they were transported.
Mr Youd was impressed by the outcome of sending the recent shipment via trailer to Greenham’s, because he said it meant the cattle were less disturbed.
His consignment was part of a recent crossing of 440 head of cattle from King Island to the redeveloped Stanley wharf for Greenham Tasmania that was completed with outstanding MSA grading compliance of 99.3 per cent.
With the introduction of a larger “roll-on, roll-off” vessel, Go Lesath, by the LD Shipping Company cattle avoid an extra step in the handling process between the farm gate and the abattoir.
According to Greenham Tasmania, the King Island to Stanley crossing takes nine hours with a further 20 minutes to the Smithton facility in comparison to other services, which can take up to 16 hours plus waiting time and transport.
Mr Youd said ensuring cattle were well fed before the curfew also made a difference to their energy levels and kept them calm.
Greenham livestock manager Graeme Pretty said the cattle came in “as relaxed as I’ve ever seen in my time”.
“Producers are able to earn up to a $160 premium per head if their cattle grade MSA.
The new service will deliver benefits and drive confidence for the long term, not to mention the better animal welfare outcomes that less handling assures,” Mr Pretty said.
