Getting back to basics is way ahead for beef producers

Perth showcase later this month to focus on reducing costs

By Joe Watson

Published:

Beef farmers will be given tips on ways to return to the production basics and make best use of grass and muck to reduce costs at the industry’s annual showcase in Perth later this month.

With dramatically increased feed, fuel and fertiliser bills putting considerable financial pressure on the sector, the Lloyds TSB Agriculture-sponsored Beef Expo at United Auctions’ Perth Agricultural Centre on May 21 will be focusing on showing farmers the type of systems they can adopt to ensure their long-term future in cattle.

Chairman Randal Wilson said while ex-farm prices had soared in recent months the reality was that producers were only being paid the same rate as before the BSE crisis in 1996.

It was still essential for producers to improve efficiency, reduce costs and work on the view that farm subsidy payments will disappear.

Mr Wilson said a range of seminars at the event would point producers in the right direction. A special focus was being put on the use of estimated breeding values to select breeding stock and improve the genetic performance of herds.

Handling facilities also had a major role to play in securing reduced costs. Mr Wilson commended a series of demonstrations at the expo by animal behaviour expert Professor Temple Grandin, of Colorado State University in the US. He added: “Efficient cattle handling is essential these days, in view of the labour situation on farms and the number of times cattle have to be handled. It will be a great opportunity for beef producers to learn from the expertise of the world’s leading expert.”

Prof Grandin will as part of the pre-expo farm tours be giving advice to the Ballathie Estate at Stanley, near Perth.

This 1,500-acre operation – owned by retired oilman John Milligan – has a 200-strong Aberdeen-Angus cross suckler cow herd, the beef from which is sold through its estate shop and the Ballathie House Hotel.

Stockman Jim Woodward said Ballathie was already cutting costs by outwintering its spring herd on malting barley stubbles. Dung from the cows had lowered fertiliser requirements. The estate was also growing its own lupins and beans for animal feed and ensuring its grass is clover rich.

Expo vice-chairman Graham Brown, of Reidhall, Edzell, accepted there was a need for the beef sector to re-examine production regimes that have in the past relied on the availability of cheap cereals.

Mr Brown said it was possible for his finishing operation to look at using lower grade set-aside ground for grazing rather than finishing cattle inside on cereals.

The expo will be opened by Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead.