Queensland cattle hides are shaking off their reputation for inferior quality five years after the implementation of changes to the State's branding, Primary Industries and Rural Communities Minister Henry Palaszczuk said. Mr Palaszczuk said the Queensland State Government banned cheek and rib branding of cattle in November 1998 to improve the standing and value of Queensland cattle hides. "Traditionally, branding damage meant Queensland hides were regarded as inferior quality and reduced the possible returns for industry," he said.
"Cattle hides are the most valuable beef co-product, accounting for up to 15% of an animal's value." Mr Palaszczuk said the issue of branding damage to hides in Queensland was not a new issue when the Beattie Labor Government came to office in 1998. In 1918, a letter from the Prime Minister's office was sent to the Queensland Government. The letter said: "Upwards of two million cattle are slaughtered annually in the Commonwealth of Australia, and as a majority of these are badly branded, it will be readily realised that sum of money thus lost to the country is very considerable. It should be glad therefore if you would be so good as to consider the question of taking action to prevent hides being damaged through the causes referred to."
Mr Palaszczuk said our predecessors did not act on those and other pleas for change. "Only this Government could recognise the importance of the changes and the benefits for Queensland. The reputation and value of our hides have improved dramatically, and the branding changes are becoming a selling point," he said. "Queensland hides are now selling for upholstery in cars and furniture, where in the past a central rib brand would have prevented its use for such applications".
