Commercial Register (SPC): measure it, prove it and use it.

Webinar Information Session

What is the SPC?

The SPC is SPI’s pathway for recording performance data on commercial steers and heifers, helping producers capture genetic gain and make more confident breeding decisions within their own herd.

It is not a seedstock register and it is not designed for breed-up or stud registration. Those functions remain with the Speckle Park Purebred Register (SPP).

Speckle Park Commercial (SPC) Register

Built to protect the herdbook

Built on two core principles of protecting the integrity of SPI’s herdbook and ensuring accurate, reliable data collection.

These principles underpin the rules and limitations that apply to the SPC register.

Turn day-to-day paddock performance into something you can use, prove and profit from.

Registration and movement forms

SPC Webinar: Register Now

Join Speckle Park International for an overview of the Speckle Park Commercial Register (SPC) and how it can help commercial producers capture meaningful data, build selection confidence and drive genetic gain in everyday production systems.

Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026
Time: 6 pm (AEST) / 8 pm (NZDT)
Where: Online via Zoom

Webinar Registration

Members are asked to RSVP in advance to receive the webinar link and joining details.

We encourage all members, particularly those operating commercial females or supplying feeder, backgrounder or branded beef markets, to attend.

  • How the SPC works in practice

  • Eligibility requirements

  • DNA and movement between registers

  • Fees and data submission

  • How the SPC supports commercial marketing and supply chain outcomes

For any questions or clarification, please contact the SPI Office.

We look forward to seeing the SPC support stronger commercial outcomes for our members and further strengthen the Speckle Park breed.

Who can use it and what you can record

The SPC is open to SPI members and provides a valuable tool for commercial Speckle Park producers to record performance traits for steers and heifers, identify superior-performing females, make more informed breeding and culling decisions, target specific market requirements, support traceability and verified supply chains and help build and strengthen our genomic reference population.

Animals recorded in the SPC can be provided with verification documents, and there is potential to develop a verified ear tag identification system aligned with commercial market or processor requirements. 

Only steers and heifers may be recorded in the SPC. SPC-registered animals fall into one of two categories: 

  1. Progeny of a SPP female either registered in the SPP herdbook or the SPC, or 

  2. Progeny of a “base” female (commercial cow) mated to a registered SPP bull. 

Important restriction: No entire males (bulls) may be registered in the SPC. 

How it helps you sell cattle and hit specs

By collecting and submitting performance data through the SPC, producers gain access to tools and information that can significantly enhance the marketability of their cattle.

Additionally, it continues to build the genomic reference population to advance the accuracy of Speckle Park EBVs.

Below are specific examples of how SPC data can support herd marketing: 

  • Producers can use SPC records to confidently promote animals based on objective traits such as: 

    • Weight gain performance (e.g. “This steer achieved 2.2 kg/day average daily gain over 100 days.”) 

    • Carcase traits linked to EBV or sire/pedigree performance (e.g. eye muscle area, IMF) 

    • Maternal performance indicators (e.g. age to first calving, weaning weights) 

    • This can be particularly powerful in direct-to-consumer marketing or paddock-to-plate programs. 

  • Data collected through the SPC can be used to target specific markets or processor specifications, such as: 

    • MSA grading compliance 

    • Feedlot entry specs (weight-for-age benchmarks, temperament traits) 

    • Branded beef programs that require verifiable breed content or production protocols (e.g. pasture-raised, no HGP) 

    By using SPC animals with performance history and traceability, producers can supply processors or brands requiring documented assurance. 

  • When selling steers or future commercial breeders, producers can present SPC performance data as added value: 

    • “Progeny of proven SPP sires with documented daily gain and dam fertility records.” 

    • “SPC-enrolled heifers with full ID, known genetics, and maternal productivity data.” 

    This gives buyers confidence and can justify premium pricing, especially in breeder, backgrounder, and bullock production systems. 

  • SPI is currently exploring the development of a verified ear tag identification system for SPC animals. This system will align with commercial supply chain needs and may include: 

    • QR code or unique visual tags linking to SPC data 

    • Verified parentage or breed makeup 

    • Market specification tags (e.g. grain-free, grass-fed, no antibiotics) 

    Once implemented, this system will further support: 

    • Paddock-to-plate traceability 

    • Retail/lot feed contract compliance 

    • Buyer trust and data transparency 

What you need to register animals

SPC animals (progeny)

To register an animal in the SPC, the following six information must be provided.

  1. Unique ID (e.g., ABC V123) 

  2. NLIS / NAIT or EID tag number, with PIC number

  3. Birth date (DD/MM/YY) 

  4. Sire and Dam information (at least one parent must be a registered SPP animal) 

  5. Breed composition (eight digit breed code Speckle Park – SKSKSKSK) 

  6. DNA parent verification and genetic profile (optional but recommended) 

NLIS/EID data is required for any animals being submitted, to enable future linkage with Meat Standards Australia (MSA) carcase data. 

Need help?

If you have questions about eligibility or how to submit SPC registrations, please contact SPI for support.

Moving between SPC and SPP (rules and DNA) 

This is not a mechanism to breed up into the SPP. If a breeder wishes to later register SPC progeny in the SPP, they must follow the full registration rules and fees for every previous generation not in the SPP.  

SPP females can be marked as “Inactive” and moved into the SPC, but if there is to be any future registration of descendants into the SPP is advised that DNA to be taken and stored at the time of SPC registration. 

SPI reserves the right to conduct random DNA parentage verification on SPC animals. 

  • While the Speckle Park Commercial Register (SPC) is not designed to produce seedstock animals, breeders can apply to register progeny from the SPC back into the Speckle Park Purebred Register (SPP) but only if the animal traces back to an original SPP-registered female. Conditions do apply to ensure the integrity of the SPP herdbook.

    • The animal must trace back to a SPP-registered female (even if that female is now marked Inactive and in the SPC) 

    • The breeder must complete full DNA parent verification and registration for every generation not currently recorded in the SPP 

    • All registration, late, female inventory and DNA fees must be paid for each animal in the lineage 

    • Complete pedigree documentation must be submitted 

    There is no generational shortcut. Every step in the animal’s pedigree must be proven and documented to re-enter the SPP. 

  • Let’s say a breeder has the following lineage: 

    1. SPP Dam 
      Originally registered in the SPP, later made Inactive and transferred to SPC. 

    2. SPC Heifer 1 
      Calf of the SPP dam, sired by an SPP sire – identified in the SPC. 

    3. SPC Heifer 2 
      Calf of SPC Heifer 1, again sired by an SPP sire – also in the SPC. 

    4. SPC Heifer 3 
      Calf of SPC Heifer 2, also sired by an SPP sire. The breeder now wants to register this calf in the SPP. 

    To do so, they must provide DNA verification and registration for all three generations (SPC Heifer 3, 2, 1). Prove the maternal line traces to a genuine SPP female via DNA PV and pay all associated fees and complete all required documentation. Only then will SPC Heifer 3 be considered for entry into the SPP register. 

    This rigorous process: 

    • Prevents dilution of the SPP studbook 

    • Preserves breed data accuracy 

    • Encourages transparent and traceable breeding practices 

Getting started + fees

To participate in the Speckle Park Commercial Register (SPC), you must be a current financial member of Speckle Park International (SPI). All SPI fees listed below are inclusive of GST. Membership details and pricing are available in the SPI Membership Form.

Fees and charges (SPI fees)

Fees for SPC participation are set out in the SPI fee schedule. They are designed to support practical data submission while keeping the register affordable.

  • SPI membership: current financial membership required.

  • SPC animal processing fee: $10 per animal.

    • Note: female inventory fees do not apply to SPC-registered heifers.

  • Transfers and DNA (as required): $27.50 per animal to transfer between members, plus optional DNA testing bundles (required if transferring from SPC to the Speckle Park Purebred Register (SPP)). Refer to SPI Fee Schedule for more information.

Other costs (charged separately by BREEDPLAN)

BREEDPLAN (ABRI) fees are separate to SPI and are set and billed directly to you by BREEDPLAN.

  • BREEDPLAN membership and processing fees: charged as per the Speckle Park BREEDPLAN Fee Schedule (click here for details).

  • GST: International clients are not charged GST where applicable.

The register lets commercial producers contribute real performance data that strengthens Speckle Park genetics while protecting the integrity of the herdbook. It supports sharper herd decisions, stronger traceability and greater industry confidence.