This standard does not purport to comprise the provisions of a contract but is a guideline in determining the basis of a contract.

Breeds:

Australian hides are principally derived from pure breed, or cross breeds of European (Bos Taurus) and Tropical (Bos Indicus) strains. Dairy breed types are usually sold separately from beef breeds.

Origin:

Although cattle are slaughtered throughout Australia the majority are produced in Eastern States of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Climatic conditions vary from tropical conditions in North Queensland to mild temperate climates of Southern New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmania. It is usual to designate as origin the state in which the slaughter took place.

Tick:

Queensland hides may be offered under the description TFA, in which case the hides are understood to be free of any visible tick prior to dehairing. The warble fly is not known in any parts of Australia. S/R (Straight Run) is the term used to designate hides from known tick affected hides.

New South Wales has some areas from which hides seasonally may carry some tick incidence.

New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, the southern part of Western Australia and large parts of Queensland are free of cattle ticks.

Take-off:

The majority of Australian cattle are slaughtered in Government inspected meatworks equipped with mechanical pullers and air knives. A minority of the production is hand-flayed.

Pattern:

As illustrated with neck, ears, lips, tails and excesses removed. Some may be tail root trimmed not exceeding 13 centimetres from the butt. Halal and conventional U shaped neck pattern with long cheeks, all face pieces removed.

Fleshing:

Unless specified otherwise Australian hides are offered un-fleshed with some fat and flesh adherences. Mechanically fleshed hides are offered as an option.

Curing:

Raceway brine cure, drum brine cure, drum salted and hand salted methods are all used. The generic description “salted” applies to any or a mixture of these cure methods.

Composition:

Deliveries consist of a mixture of cow and ox hides in unspecified proportions. If specified, hides are graded according to gender but if fully trimmed gender may be based on effective belly substance.

Selection:

Unless otherwise stated upto 30% CUTS may be included in any contract, packed separately and invoiced at a discount for cuts: or, alternatively, on a flat price basis without discount.

Sound – A Sound hides has no cuts in the prime but may have up to three (3) cuts in the offal.

Cut - A Cut hide has up to three (3) cuts in the prime and/or over three (3) cuts in the offal. A hide containing more than three (3) cuts in the prime is downgraded. A cut is not classified as such unless it is a hole penetrating through the skin. Flay marks which do not penetrate are not classified as cuts.

Location of the Prime Area in the various weight ranges:

Weight Ranges	Neck offal	Belly offal
18/+kgs	54 cm	18 cm
14/18kgs	31 cm	18 cm
4/14kgs	23 cm	13 cm

Low-grades – Faulty hides include defects such as hairslip, poor cure and/or gross defects such as warts, excessive brands, large or multiple horn marks, or excessive holes, or badly misshapen distorted or amputated patterns and fleshing machine damages.