Backgrounding
Backgrounding or ‘preconditioning’ is the preparation of cattle for lot feeding.
The lot feeding industry is today Australia’s largest segment of the beef industry with over 50% of the herd targeting this segment. The sector has procured on average in excess of two million cattle per annum for each of the past three years and consequently is consistently demanding higher value cattle prepared for lot feeding.
Independent research has shown that animal health problems associated with lot feeding cost the industry in excess of $60 million. In addition to these issues, industry leaders see the losses caused by cattle not prepared for lot feeding to actually cost the industry in excess of $100 million. This cost is a combination of the health related issues combined with non compliance of cattle for selected markets and additional feeding.
The Allied Beef backgrounding program encompasses industry best practice to enhance the value of cattle prepared for lot feeding. The program has been developed by Matthew George of Bovine Dynamics and in consultation with some of Australia's leading lot feeding companies.
To discuss backgrounding in more detail, please contact the office on telephone 07 4638 1200.
