Statutory categorisation of adult bovine carcases up until the end of 2013 involved the use of five separate categories A, B, C, D and E; signifying Young Bulls, Bulls, Steers, Cows and Heifers respectively, writes John Martin, Agri-food Inspection Branch, DARD.
From 1 January 2014, following the introduction of a new Single Common Market Organisation Regulation, there will now be an additional category; category Z.
This comes about because animals aged from 8 months to less than 12 months are now considered as adult bovines for the purposes of classification and price reporting.
The six categories are defined as follows: category Z: carcases of animals (both male and female) aged from 8 months to less than 12 months; category A (Young Bull): carcases of uncastrated male animals aged from 12 months to less than 24 months; category B (Bull): carcases of uncastrated male animals aged from 24 months; category C (Steer): carcases of castrated male animals aged from 12 months; category D (Cow): carcases of female animals that have calved; category E (Heifer): carcases of other female animals aged from 12 months.
Bovine slaughter plants therefore, from January 2014, will be using the new category on carcase labels and on the remittance forwarded to the suppliers of the animals.
(Source – Farming Life – Monday, 27/01/2014)