Beef farmers Robert and Jac Neill get royal approval
Former Farmers Weekly Farmer Focus writer Robert Neill and his wife Jac have been congratulated by The Princess Royal for their dedication in producing top quality beef.
Mr Neill, who farms in Upper Nisbet, in the Scottish Borders and won the 2006 Farmers Weekly Awards Beef Farmer of the Year title, met Princess Anne at a London showcase recognising the commitment and skills of those involved in the production of top-quality Scotch Beef.
Master butcher Viv Harvey demonstrated a range of alternative cuts from Featherblade, which is a forequarter cut traditionally used for braising, to D-rump, a large cut from the top of the leg and rump comprised of at least five muscles, of varying tenderness.
Addressing the gathering after the demonstration, Princess Anne, who is president of the Scotch Beef Club, said the event the brought into focus the “underuse of a very valuable resource and the need to make the best use of the whole carcass.”
Robert and Jac Neill met Princess Anne at a London showcase.
Jim McLaren, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, said the overall aim of the London event was to reinforce the message about what makes Scotch Beef special and to encourage chefs to think more about the meat products they choose.
“Each link in the supply chain involved in the production of Scotch Beef – from farmer to processor and butcher – has a very important role.
“The skills and attention of all those involved are vital to ensure we can provide chefs with consistently high quality beef and reduce waste.”
Read more about Robert and Jac Neill’s farming enterprise
Read more about the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards.