Abattoir work on track to meet established schedules
CONSTRUCTION work is now well under way at Brechin abattoir and is on schedule for completion towards the end of this year, according to Quality Pork Limited (QPL).
The multi-million pound development will effectively double the slaughter capacity at the abattoir and create a state-of-the-art processing facility.
The facilities are designed to enable those numbers to increase in the future as the Scottish pig herd expands.
QPL, which took ownership of the site from AP Jess late last year, is a joint venture between Scottish Pig Producers and Scotlean, two producer cooperatives.
The collaboration was brokered by Scottish Agriculture Organisation So c iet y (SAOS). T he Scottish Government has provided grant-funding of £2.7m from the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation scheme.
Since the closure of Vion’s Broxburn plant, a large proportion of the weekly Scottish pig kill has gone south of the border for processing.
Furthermore, a considerable number of Scottish weaned pigs also go south for finishing and the intention is to redirect these to local finishing, minimising transport distances and further enhancing welfare. The Brechin facility ensures there is sufficient capacity for all pigs born in Scotland
to be slaughtered here.
MARKET ROUND-UP
United Auctions sold 964 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 299.3p per kg and an average of 225.4p (+0.2p on the week), while 1,060 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 311.1p and levelled at 235.3p (-7.4p). Seventy-two store, B&W bullocks sold to 189p and averaged 172.4p (+5.2p).
In the rough ring 173 cows averaged 132p.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 533 prime hoggs in Newton Stewar t on Wednesday to a top of £86.50 per head and 205.4p per kg to average 174.6p (-15.5p), while four prime Suffolk lambs scaling 58kg made £104. The firm also had 150 cast sheep forward when ewes peaked at £120 for Suffolks and £80 for Blackfaces.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 16 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 230.5p and an average of 210.2p. There were 58 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 137p and dairy cows levelled at 111p.
The firm also had 196 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £130.50 for a Suffolk and averaged £89.99 (-£22.87), while light ewes peaked at £84.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £67.30 (-£6.97).