ON FARM SOUTHERN CATTLE MSA drives business decisions N orthern NSW beef producers Tom and Cathy Amey have spent almost 20 years refining their breeding herd based on feedback from Meat Standards Australia (MSA). One of their calculated changes has been switching from Charolais to Murray Grey sires over their composite cows, which are half‑Brahman and a quarter each of Murray Grey and Friesian. This move delivered the extra carcase Tom Amey (right) and his son Callum. fat cover needed to more reliably hit MSA grading, without significantly growing but the grain helps finish them “You have to be across all the key denting weight gains. off as the mother’s milk supply starts toareas: to be profitable you need an Business decisions such as these saw drop off,” he said. animal that has a sufficient growth Tom and Cathy receive the 2019 MSA rate, has the ability to finish under the Excellence in Eating Quality Award for Tom also places a strong emphasis conditions you’ve got them and a good Most Outstanding MSA Producer in on temperament and low‑stress stock temperament. MSA provides you with NSW for Band 2 (producers consigning handling techniques, which can influence feedback to help manage this,” Tom said. smaller volumes). pH levels at the time of slaughter. “If producers can make business The Ameys achieved 100% compliance “The mothers of these yearlings are decisions based on MSA compliance, to MSA requirements and an average half‑Brahman. If you have Brahman they’re going to be winners.” ■ MSA Index of 63.15 across 2017–2019. cattle you become a good stock handler because you have to Tom Amey Compliance appreciate them and take cues from Ever since Tom became a registered them – theycan be brilliant to handle or E: ameyag@bigpond.net.au MSA producer in 2000, he’s drawn on they can be very difficult,” Tom said. For more information about MSA, MSA feedback sheets to steadily grow visit: mla.com.au/msa his beef operation’s profitability. “I muster with my ute, but usually it’s as simple as driving into a paddock, calling To look at your own carcase “MSA keeps me focused on quality. It out and they run to the front gate – it’s feedback and use the MSA Index helps with the selection of cattle I something I’ve trained them to do. calculator, visit: mymsa.com.au breed from and the feed choices I make to finishmy yearlings,” Tom said. “When I have the yearlings in the yards waiting for the truck, I have a trough LESSONS The Ameys turn weaners off at 9.5–10.5 there and they have access to a ration LEARNED months, average carcase weight of that they’ve been eating from feeders about 210kg. Most go to McCaughey out in the paddock. Meats in Casino. > Use MSA feedback to guide “It’s about consistency and breeding and feeding decisions. Calves are given access to a > Temperament and low‑stress custom‑mix grain ration on a creep‑feed keeping the animals as stock handling influence pH basis two months before they’re calm as possible.” levels at the time of slaughter. processed, a relatively minor cost that is repaid in extra weight gain and finish. > Maintain consistency and keep Tom said it gives him the benefit of a Tom said there’s a lot for producers to animals calm by providing the carcase that has some grain input. gain by being part of the MSA program, same ration in the yards as they as it helps drive business decisions receive in the paddock. “The calves have done most of their and profitability. SNAPSHOT:Tom and Cathy Amey, Dyraaba and Mummulgum, NSWl Area: Enterprise: Livestock: Pasture: Soil: Rainfall: 600ha Beef cattle 700 composite Range from Rhodes Range from 1,000mm across two cattle grass, paspalum, alluvial soil flats properties kikuyu, clover, siratroto silty loam and and glycine, winter clay loam hills forage program (ryegrass and oats) 31