Costs and returns focus for Beef 98

26 May 1998

Costs and returns focus for Beef ’98

LIVESTOCK prices are likely to remain depressed for the immediate future, said Dr Basis Lowman, senior beef specialist with the Scottish Agricultural College.

Dr Lowman, one of the key speakers at this years forthcoming Beef `98 event, said costs and returns would be the focus of this years event.

Previewing the event, he said prices are likely to remain poor for some time and keeping costs to a minimum was one of the few options left for farmers.

Beef `98 will be held on 5 June at Balbuthie Farm, in the East Neuk of Fife. The host farmers John and Margaret Cameron have long practised a low-cost business.

Dr Lowman said farmers have to weigh up the balance between costs and returns. For example, a feed may appear cheap but if it did not produce performance there was no return. He added if vaccination reduced calf mortality by 5% and also improved performance, then that was cost effective. Farmers should think in terms of unit cost per unit of output, he explained.

• The Scotsman 26/05/98 page 26