A scheme to equip Scotland's farmers to improve the efficiency, sustainability and quality of their beef herds is to be introduced ahead of next year's calving season.
It will include a national database and support for farmers to identify the key actions they are going to take on-farm including measures to improve cow fertility, reduce disease, optimise nutrition through feed analysis, and maximise grass and soil management.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the move as he confirmed the Scottish Government has accepted the recommendations of the Beef 2020 industry expert group, which was chaired by Quality meat Scotland (QMS) chairman Jim McLaren.
The cattle database will be backed by the £45m Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) beef support package announced by the Rural Affairs Secretary last year.
Subject to EU approval of the detail, £40m of that funding will enable beef farmers to collect genetic and herd management information to inform future breeding decisions. Much of the remainder will be spent expanding the ScotEID (electronic identification) database to interface with other cattle data sources such as markets and abattoirs.
On a visit to a cattle sale at the ANM Thainstone Centre in Inverurie yesterday, Mr Lochhead said: "Beef is the jewel in Scotland's agricultural crown. It is our single biggest farming sector and makes up more than a quarter of Scottish agricultural output. This extra support from the Scottish Government will give the beef sector the opportunity to adapt and prosper as the full impact of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) regime takes effect."
Jim McLaren, chairman of QMS, warmly welcomed the Cabinet secretary's broad acceptance of the Report's recommendations and confirmed he is to lead a group to oversee their implementation.
Market round-up
John Swan Ltd had 835 store cattle forward in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to a top of £1200 per head and 291.9p per kg to average £866.13 and 225.6p, while bullocks peaked at £1310 and 313.2p to level at £927.43 and 238.8p.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had another large show of 8203 prime hoggs at their weekly sale in Longtown on Thursday that sold to a top of £120 per head and 311p per kg to average 188.1p (-14.8p on the week).
The firm also had 3434 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £163 for Texels and averaged £103.05 (-£6.13), while light ewes peaked at £89 for Blackfaces and levelled at £60.78 (+£2.46). Rams sold to £179 for a Texel and averaged £108.29 (+£2.73).
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