FOR many seasoned EU beef producers, the decision to become accredited under the Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System (PCAS) is an easy one.
“The PCAS scheme is very similar to EU - no antibiotics and no HGPs,” said Roma beef producer Jack Groat.
“My family’s herds were already EU accredited so it was natural to look to PCAS as another marketing option.”
Mr Groat and his wife Emma operate in a family partnership that includes Jack’s parents, Malcolm and Kate and his three siblings and their families.
The business spans several districts with the home block, Castle Hill, situated in the Arcadia Valley and another mixed farming property, Elvanbrook, at Westmar.
Last year they added the 6200ha Lorraine to the operation and Jack and Emma now live at the property, 35km north of Roma.
Although Castle Hill and Elvanbrook have been accredited under PCAS for the past two years, Jack and Emma will be overseeing the first audit for Lorraine this week.
“It should all go fairly smoothly as we are already EU accredited,” Jack said.
“Under PCAS you can’t let your cattle go onto oats once it comes out in head but that’s not really a big deal because if your oats is out in head it usually means its a pretty good season so we can always use that crop and turn the cattle off into the EU system. The two markets aren’t mutually exclusive.
“PCAS is currently offering 510c/kg for a 180-200kg carcase whereas the EU premium cuts out once you slip below a 240kg carcase.
“PCAS is also now offering 550c/kg for a 300-340kg carcase while EU is 540c/kg for the same article.
“It’s not a big difference at the moment but every little bit counts and being accredited for both means we can target whoever has the best money on the day. The more markets you can access the more control you have over your profits.”
