Farming future is partnership

29 March 1999

‘Farming future is partnership’

THE way forward for farming lies in partnership from farm through to consumer, according to Jim Ironside, managing director of Aberdeen-Angus Producers.

Mr Ironside bases his analysis on the successful example of the certified Aberdeen-Angus beef scheme, which his group operates under contract on behalf of the breed society.

He says that by marketing as a group, his organisation has managed to give its farmer members a strong voice in the partnership, without sacrificing their independence.

Aberdeen-Angus producers (Scotland) is planning to merge with its two sister organisations in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland to create a single marketing entity.

Turnover of the combined group is expected to exceed £8 million in the current year, compared to the £6.5m achieved last year by the Scottish group. Retained profit by the Scottish group, after tax, was just under £50,000.

The value of premium negotiated for active members went up by 38% to £837,000 – equivalent to £80 a head, or 20p/kg, for all cattle sold. Members committing all their finished steers and heifers to the group shared an additional bonus of more than £61,000 or £10 a head.

• The Herald 29/03/99 page 20