The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wholesalers and NFU at odds over beef quality
The problems of meeting processor specifications in the spotlight
Today’s opening of the Royal Highland Show has been marked by a row between the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) and NFU Scotland over the matter of keeping prime cattle within abattoir specification.
SAMW president Alan McNaughton said: “The livestock on display at the Highland are always a tremendous example of the quality which is available within Scotland and the cattle finishing and presentation skills of which so many producers are capable.
“Unfortunately, we don’t always see the same quality, finish and presentation skills being applied to the stock arriving at abattoirs.
“The Scotch premium remains an important part of our business but you have to earn the right to that premium, especially when cattle prices are rising, which is obviously welcome news for producers. We want cattle to be between 280 and 380kg and to satisfy the relevant fat and age criteria.”
In response, NFUS reminded the meat processors that factors outwith the control of farmers can make getting the shape, correct weight and right amount of fat and marbling in the carcase extremely challenging.
NFUS livestock committee chairman Charlie Adam, a beef farmer from Aberdeenshire, said: “For the second year in a row, long waiting times at abattoirs has meant that many farmers were forced into delivering out of spec cattle
“For any finisher, it is infuriating to see your prime stock drift out of spec because you have had your order delayed or abattoir specifications have changed.
“Falling out of spec is a concern for every beef finisher but it becomes critical for a business if it happens in a falling market.
“Our hard-pressed producers have seen a huge fall in their price year on year, while the retail price for beef on shop shelves is little changed.
“If farmers need a reminder on the shape and finish wanted by our processors, the live auction system provides a transparent marketplace where farmers can see exactly what is in demand.
NFUS is to hold a series of meetings around the country in the autumn to discuss the problem and the hope is that processors will attend and take part.