It seems Italy and Denmark just can’t get enough of Australian Hereford beef.
The EU countries are already importing the premium Hereford Reserve beef, and according to Stephen Moy, the demand is growing.
Mr Moy, who is livestock manager for NH Foods, said high quality retailers and restaurants in Italy and Denmark were impressed by Hereford Reserve beef.
“Hereford Reserve was developed after enquiries by our customers looking for a point of difference to be able to market within their food service and restaurant businesses in the EU,” he said.
“We found they were looking for something that was just a bit different which still had a premium edge.”
Hereford Reserve branded beef is produced by Hereford and Poll Hereford-based cattle sourced from the prime grazing lands of the Northern NSW Tablelands and Southern Queensland.
The branded beef is produced from cattle fed a high energy grain ration at Bective Feedlot near Tamworth and then processed at Wingham.
Mr Moy said the brand had been functioning for about three years and was owned and run by NH Foods.
He said Hereford Reserve aimed for a very particular, high quality product.
“Hereford Reserve provides our consumers with a product which eats the same today as it does tomorrow as what it will next week,” he said. “It’s consistent, it’s reliable and it’s guaranteed to be a quality product.”
Mr Moy said those attending the ALPA Dinner at this year’s Sydney Royal Show got the chance to sample the premium beef brand, as will those attending the dinner at Brisbane Royal Show.
Mr Moy said cattle needed to weigh between 380 and 500 kilograms and with their milk teeth to enter the program.
Producers wanting to supply Hereford cattle for the brand can contact their local NH Foods buyer or the feedlot. Successful producers would also receive feedback about how their animals performed.
He said cattle should also have their EU accreditation, as well as be prevaccinated.
Mr Moy said they aimed to export Hereford to other EU countries in the future.
“It has been really well received. It is a product that eats very well. There is increased demand for it all the time,” he said.