Bull beef growth problem

IT SEEMS some of Scotland’s top beef producers are f inding themselves in a difficult situation if they are producing fast-growing bull beef, writes Ewan Pate.

The problem is a marketing one and arises when young bulls reach slaughter weight under 12 months of age. According to EU labelling legislation the beef must then be marketed as “8-12 month beef ” which is not acceptable to the UK supermarket trade.

Brian Simpson of the Scottish Beef Cattle association said: “This legislation was introduced in Europe to counter cases of beef being passed off as veal. The rules are clear that veal is under eight months old; rose veal is 8-12 months old; and beef is over 12 months.

“Until recent years, most entire bulls would be sold in Scotland around 14 months of age but improved breeding programmes and advanced feeding systems means that a sizable proportion are ready for slaughter under 12 months of age.

“This is good news on many fronts. Firstly, the effect of rapid growth and early slaughter results in tender lean beef which is generally regarded as the primary measure of quality. The pigmeat and poultry sectors have certainly demonstrated this benefit.

“Secondly, the environmental impact of faster grown beef should be less with effectively less carbon emissions from animals reared and finished in the shortest possible time.

“Thirdly, the financial benefit for the producer is considerable through faster finished beef.”

He added: “The only advice available to producers is to keep the bulls a bit longer until they are 12 months of age — but this risks taking them to weights in excess of the optimum for Scotch beef.”

Meigle beef breeder Adrian Ivory, who has been affected, said: “We have invested heavily to produce beef which meets modern consumer requirements.

“A combination of leading genetics, efficient housing and handling facilities, and a management system geared to rapid growth means that up to 25% of our bulls are ready for killing at less than 12 months of age.”