A five part Primefact series will help beef producers decide whether hormone growth promotants (HGPs) are a technology suitable for their enterprises.

"There has been a steady increase in the use of HGP products in the pasture fed sector of the NSW industry," NSW Department of Primary Industries beef products officer, Ian Blackwood, said.

"The Primefacts series will emphasis the technical aspects of adopting HGP technology to increase turn off liveweight in pasture fed steers or heifers.

"Adopting HGP use in a beef business means following strict rules about purchase and usage records and permanently identifying cattle at the time of implantation.

"There are 19 registered HGP products and 18 of these are available to NSW producers over the counter at registered resellers.

"It is important to match the product with the sex of the cattle, the finishing time expected and whether the cattle are on pasture or in a feedlot.

"This can cause confusion.

"While one of the Primefacts does address the selection of product we are developing a computer based selection tool to simplify the decision process.

"This will be available online and will provide producers with a list of products that would be suitable to use, based on the data they provide to the program questions.

"It is recognised that many producers do not support the use of HGP products in food production," Ian Blackwood said.

"The HGP Primefact series recognises this and provides technical information as a basis for informed decision making," he stressed.

Contact Ian Blackwood, Tocal, (02) 4939 8941.