High genetic merit scheme pays extra
High genetic merit scheme pays extra
DAIRY producers will be paid an £18 premium above current market prices for breeding beef cross calves sired by high genetic merit bulls under a new initiative.
The joint venture between Yorkshire-based JSR Farming Group (JSR) and Warwickshire Quality Calves (WQC) will see dairy producers purchase high genetic merit Charolais semen at a fixed price of £6.50 a straw from the Charolais Improvement Group in which JSR is a member.
Resulting calves will be sold back to JSR for finishing via WQC. At WQC calves will be weighed and graded to determine a sale price to which the £18 premium will be added.
Speaking at the launch of the scheme, beef unit manager for JSR, Richard Fuller, said: "Profitable beef production starts with high genetic stock. These are able to fulfil market requirements and account for an extra £33 per finished animal through improved conformation and feed efficiency."
The JSR/WQC initiative also gives complete traceability of beef animals from birth to supermarket shelf which JSRs management team believes is essential in todays marketplace.
In the first year of the joint-venture, JSR will buy 700 calves from 45 dairy producers who have signed up to the scheme for finishing on its three Yorkshire beef units.
Other dairy producers will be able to join the scheme after the first year. Finished animals will be processed at St Merryn Meats for Tesco. *