MDCfocus spells out survival recipe
Home beef still bread and butter, warns MLC
By James Garner
DOMESTIC markets should remain beef producers priority despite the export ban being lifted on Aug 1.
Europes leading restaurants and hotels will be the main recipients when the first boneless beef consignments are exported in August, and not Continental supermarkets, MLC export specialists predict.
But with only one abattoir, St Merryn Meats, registering for the date based export scheme, the quantity will be small – only 5000t in the first year, says an MLC spokesman.
"We learnt from the BSE crisis that the quality end of the market remained strong; people kept buying steaks."
Overseas confidence
Because of this, regaining overseas confidence in British beef will depend on selling to restaurants, and then consumers will promote demand in supermarkets, adds its spokesman.
But MLC beef analyst Duncan Sinclair warns against gearing up for such a small export market. "About 99% of British beef sold will still be to the domestic market."
Demand, he says, will be driven by home markets for some considerable time. And despite research indicating that high quality suckler animals will lead exports to Europes catering market, Mr Sinclair says producers should concentrate on doing the best job they can, producing cattle fit for high quality domestic trade and treating exports as a bonus.
That advice is echoed by SAC beef specialist Basil Lowman. "We should learn from pre-BSE days when export ruled supreme; dont let exports drive your system, we have a good home market and should produce for this."
This might mean a move from intensive 12-month beef production to 18-month steer based systems which incorporate a summer at grass. There is some evidence that grass fed beef may taste sweeter and improve eating quality, says Dr Lowman.
But consumer perception – based on the market perceiving grass finished beef animals to be higher quality and more natural – may be a greater stimulus for change to less intensive systems, he adds.
Despite suggesting there may be a move to less intensive systems, he urges producers to concentrate on quality beef which promises better returns.
According to Dr Lowman, there is a £250 difference in income between organic Aberdeen Angus beef at 230p/kg carcass weight, and poor quality and conformation beef from the dairy herd at 145p/kg.
"Dairy beef has to be produced 50p/kg liveweight gain more cheaply than top quality premium beef claiming top price; this is hard to do," he warns.
But where quality beef cattle are available, co-operation and communication might help develop the export market, says NBA chief executive Robert Forster. He stresses this will make it easier to secure export qualified cattle and grow the market.
"This means passing on information about cattle at auction markets, particularly regarding dams. If a ministry vet is on your farm for any reason, dont waste the opportunity."
Ear tag info
Ensure ministry vets record ear tag numbers of dams who are alive six months after giving birth to eligible cattle, he adds.
Despite likely export destinations being pre-BSE markets in Belgium, Holland, France, Italy and Spain, there is little information on what type of beast is required. But quality and leanness are key, says St Merryn producer club manager, John Dracup.
"We need to market a high quality product with integrity. It needs to be quality to attract the better price and regain customers." Initial supply will be met by St Merryn producer club members, he adds.
Be careful with off-label dips
APPLYING products to control sheep parasites using shower dips, spray races and jetting wands is classified as off-label use, and users must be aware of potential risks.
The warning comes from Central Vet Laboratory entomologist Peter Bates, who is concerned that contractors and producers are unaware of the regulations for off-label use.
"There are an increasing number of shower dips, spray races and jetting wands being used, particularly by contractors.
"These rely on use of conventional organophosphate or synthetic pyreithroid plunge dip formulations, but these products are only authorised for use according to manufacturers instructions; any unauthorised variation of these instructions constitutes an off-label use."
Off-label use means that the meat withdrawal period is automatically extended to 28 days, whatever the label might say the dipping withdrawal period is. "This is to cover any potential concerns as products arent tested using these application methods," warns Mr Bates.
Unknown quantities
"In addition, because we dont know much about shower dips, spray races or jetting wands, we dont know how often the dip should be replenished or whether it should be used at the same rate. Another key concern is whether applying the product as fine aerosol droplets will have an effect on human toxicity compared with splashing."
He also cautions that off-label use means the user must take full responsibility for any adverse reactions or lack of efficacy; there is no legal back-up.
However, he is not against the use of shower dips, spray races or jetting wands, but feels the issue of off-label product use must be raised.
"These methods are used in Australia and New Zealand, where products are licensed specifically for that use. It is possible those products could be put forward by manufacturers for registration in this country."
MDCfocus spells out survival recipe
MILK producers must be prepared to put new research into practice to ensure survival, and to get value for money from their Milk Development Council levy.
Speaking at an MDC focus centre meeting in Shropshire last week, the councils chief executive Peter Merson warned that dairy producers survival was not compulsory, but said that new research could help boost profitability and chances of building a successful business for the future.
He told producers at the meeting, organised by Harper Adams college and Shropshire Grassland Society at Hope Farm, Hadnall, Shrewsbury, that the MDC was an organisation funded by farmers, for farmers. "But we need you to take hold of new research and ideas and do something with them on your farms."
The new focus centre initiative, which is based at eight centres round the UK, should help demonstrate how MDC-funded research can be put into practice, he added.
"But you need to put this into practice when you go home. What will you do differently tomorrow after what youve seen today?"
He also acknowledged that some levy payers were less than happy with the MDC. "But if you have a grumble, tell us; come to the next meeting; be provocative," he urged.
* Full report on the meeting next week.
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