Scotbeef chief calls on UK Government to clarify future trading arrangements

Exhibition: Appeal made at firm’s show of top quality beef and lamb carcases

An appeal to the UK Government for greater clarity on future trading arrangements for the farming and food industry was made by Robbie Galloway, managing director of leading meat processors Scotbeef, at a Premier Meat Exhibition at the company’s Bridge of Allan plant.

Mr Galloway told an audience of 200 exhibitors and industry leaders there had been no progress since he spoke at the same event last year.

He added: “The whole supply chain – producers, processors and retailers – needs to work together to demand clarity on the dynamics of the market in the future.

“Farming is a long-term business and calves due to be born next spring will be going into a totally different market when they are slaughtered.”

With French and Italian customers in the audience, Mr Galloway announced a new bursary to be granted by Scotbeef in conjunction with the University of Milan to encourage beef production.

M&S head of agriculture Steve McLean described the quality of the beef and lamb carcases in the exhibition, which is held in conjunction with the Scottish National Fat Stock Club, as “phenomenal”.

Overall champion was a 372.5kg Aberdeen-Angus cross steer from smallholders S Ewart and Sons, Easter Dounie, Ballintuim, Blairgowrie, who have exhibited at the show for 24 years.

Their winner, bred by P Cooper and Partners, Goval, Forfar, classified U+3L and killed out at 60.1%.

Judge Richard Moore, formerly with Linden Foods in Northern Ireland, said the champion was exactly the type of carcase which was ideal for the retail trade, whether traditional butcher or supermarket.

“I was looking for carcases with a little bit of fat cover to ensure good eating quality,” said Mr Moore.

“The overall show of carcases was outstanding but a few were just a little too lean.”

Reserve champion was a 369.3kg Limousin cross from AJ Ingram, East Comalegy, Drumblade, with classified U+3 and killed out at 60.5%.

The championship in the junior young farmers competition was won by Robbie Wills, Meadowend Farm, Clackmannan.

Leading the show of lamb carcases was a 22kg Beltex classifying E2 from DS and RC Taylor, Easter Ochtermuthill, Muthill, Crieff, with the reserve award going to Mary Dunlop, Corstane, Broughton, Biggar, with a 21.2kg lamb which classified E3L.

The Taylors also took the award for the best export lamb carcase with another entry.

The Farmer of the Year award for regular consigners went to Emslie Partners, Little Barras, Laurencekirk, who supply Scotbeef with 40 AberdeenAngus cattle a week, 52 weeks of the year, with 90% meeting the M&S specification. Other awards: Blackface – J and T Macpherson, Pitsundry, Bankfoot, Perth; reserve – Hugh Hamilton, Glenmanna, Thornhill, Dumfries.

Suffolk – Carrick Primestock, Lyonpark, Maybole, Ayrshire; reserve – Carrick Primestock

Cheviot – JW Paul and Sons, Ballingall Mill, Leslie, Glenrothes; reserve – JW Paul and Sons.

Pictures: Ron Stephen. Stephanie Ewart of S Ewart & Sons, Easter Dounie, Ballintuim, who won the Scotbeef Silver Steer for the champion beef carcase. They also won the M&S award for champion beef carcase and the Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best Aberdeen-Angus carcase.

The champion Blackface lamb was won by J & T Macpherson, Pitsundry, Bankfoot. Tommy Macpherson, left, is seen with judge Jacques Guilbaud.

Winners of the champion and reserve North Country Cheviot were brothers Alex and John Paul, of JW Paul & Sons, Ballingall Mill Farm, Leslie, Glenrothes. They are seen with judge Jacques Guilbaud, right.