Scotbeef exported 100% more beef to Europe this year than in 2021 – and demand is continuing to grow in Italy, France, the Benelux countries and Germany.
That was the positive message Scotbeef’s chief executive, Robbie Galloway, delivered to farmers at the Scottish National Fat Stock Club’s annual carcase competition at the Bridge of Allan abattoir.
Mr Galloway said the exchange rate and cattle prices in Europe being close to those in the UK had helped boost demand.
“Holland has been added as a new destination this year and there is potential for more growth,” he added. “Two of the Italian chains now see Scotch Beef as their top tier.”
A delegation from Italy was on hand to present the prize for the carcase that best met their requirements to Aberdeenshire farmers, Ross Brothers from Strichen.
Champion cross heifer
Gavin Ross said his champion was a U+3 Limousin cross heifer with a liveweight of 545kg, deadweight of 335kg and killing-out percentage of 61.5%.
“It’s a huge honour to win this because as much as the home market is important, so are exports, and breeders need to produce what each market wants,” said Mr Ross.
Meanwhile, the overall champion beef carcase came from the Hunter family at Luckenburn Farm, Slamannan.
Their champion, a home-bred Limousin cross Charolais cross heifer was a U+4L, weighing 585kg liveweight and 373kg deadweight with a killing-out percentage of 63.9%.
It was a successful day for John Stanger who travelled from Orkney to pick up the overall reserve championship for a home-bred Charolais cross heifer as well as a first prize for a Limousin steer, and a second prize for an Aberdeen-Angus heifer.
The winners
- Champion beef carcase, best bred – James R Hunter, Luckenburn Farm, Slamannan reserve champion – J and R Stanger, South Seatter, Yesnaby, Orkney.
- Best Aberdeen-Angus – Andrew Young, Girvan Mains, Ayrshire; best pure-bred Aberdeen-Angus – M&HD Currie, Skewbridge, Mouswald, Dumfries.
- Best Italian carcase – Ross Brothers, Wardhead Farm, Strichen.
- Primestock Carrick shield – Andrew Purdon and Partners, Carluke; reserve Carrick shield – G McFadzean Jnr, Woodhead of Mailer, Perth.
- YLP senior champion – Christie Findlay, Mains of Airleywight, Bankfoot; YLP junior champion – Rowan Donaldson, Redland, Stromness, Orkney.
- Champion lamb carcase – R Hall & Son, Inglewood Edge, Carlisle; Reserve champion – R Templeton and Co, Carslae Farm, Wigtown;
- Champion Blackface – Shawhead Farm, Douglas, Lanark; reserve Blackface – A Smellie, Posso, Manor, Peebles
- Champion native –DS and RC Taylor, Easter Ochtermuthill, Crieff.
- Champion Cheviot – JW Paul and Sons, Ballingall Mill Farm, Leslie, Glenrothes; reserve Cheviot – Malcolm M Stewart, Brotherstone Farm, Melrose.
- YLP senior champion – David Cunningham, Walkerdyke Farm, Strathaven; YLP junior champion – Cameron Baillie, Carstairs Farm, Lanark.
