NBA Summer Magazine 2023

Summer 2023 | ISSUE 27 

Regional Round Ups 

Guest Writers 

News & Industry 

Health 

Breed Societies 

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Contents 

Summer 2023 

ISSUE 27 

24 

EDITOR 

Julie Holmes 

National Beef Association 

Concorde House 

24 Warwick New Road 

Leamington Spa 

Warwickshire 

CV32 5JG 

01434 601005 

julie@nationalbeefassociation.com 

08 

DEPUTY EDITOR 

Neil Shand 

ceo@nationalbeefassociation.com 

CHAIRMAN 

Andrew Laughton 

ADVERTISING 

Julie Holmes 

01434 601005 


DESIGN, PRINT & PUBLISHING 

Ghost Design Consultants 

10 

A National Beef Association Publication 

A specialist organisation open to 

everyone with an interest in the UK 

beef industry. 

Company No. 3678612 

36 

26 

NATIONAL BEEF ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE 

SUMMER 2023: Issue 27 

NEXT ISSUE: AUTUMN 2023 

Regulars 

Features 

NBA give notice that no part of this 

publication may be reproduced, stored 

in a retrieval system, or transmitted in 

any form or by any means electronic, 

mechanical, photocopying, recording or 

otherwise, without prior consent of the 

publishers. Every care is taken when 

compiling editorial and advertisements 

and the publishers can accept no 

responsibility for errors or omissions 

arising from publication. Views 

expressed and information contained 

in The National Beef Association 

Magazine are not necessarily those 

of the Editor or of the National Beef 

Association who cannot therefore be 

held responsible for any reason arising 

therefrom. Neither the Association, the 

Publisher nor the Editors endorses any 

services or products advertised in this 

Magazine. 

Chairmans report 4 

CEO Report 6 

Regional Round Ups 18 

Parasite Watch 20 

Breed Society Focus - South Devons 26-27 

Breed Society News 28-32 

Efficient Feeding 8 

South West Farmers aiming for 

six-weeks calving period 10-11 

Managing the reputation of British beef 12-13 

Gallagher 14-15 

Using an automatic feeding system is 

allowing one Irish farm to finish 1,500 

cattle annually with on labour unit 16-17 

Guest Vet - Kate Bowen 21 

Sugars for Success 22 

Exceptional trade sees beef sector 

benefit from live sales ring 24-25 

Weaning, Growing, Finishing 36 

SUMMER 2023 | The National Beef Association Magazine 03

Chairman’s Welcome 

Welcome to the Summer 

edition of Beef magazine 

Andrew Laughton 

I’ve had a couple of days off and 

enjoyed a quiet and peaceful time in 

the Cotswolds. Whilst there I thought 

I would go and have a look and see 

what all the fuss is about at Clarkson’s 

Diddly Squat. First of all let me echo what 

many have said..… he has done more to 

raise the awareness of farming and its 

challenges than anyone else has been 

able to do. Of course his celebrity status, 

realism and humour as well as a country 

wide platform all helps, but good for him 

(and us) that he chose farming. 

In the very small shop he has “added 

value” to his farm produce in other words 

diversified like thousands of farmers 

across the countryside who have created 

side line businesses which keep the 

farm’s head above water financially. Its 

somehow wrong that we need a solar farm 

or a bed and breakfast to subsidise food 

production. 

Fast forward to the “cost of living crisis”; 

I am in no doubt there are families out 

there struggling to pay for heating and 

fuel and of course food. But perhaps 

contentiously the cheapness of food for 

a generation has led to this “crisis”. 

Three little anecdotes – my uncle sold 

some wheat in 1976 for £100 /t … 

granted it was a weather market but let’s 

say it was double because of. The price 

of the Farmers Weekly was then 20p 

its now £4.10 over 20 fold dearer….. 

which would mean wheat over £1000/t 

today had it kept up with the FW. As a 

finisher thankfully it isn’t! Secondly I 

used to feed a few cull sows and sell 

them to a local wholesaler- in Sept 1989 

sows were coming to £180 - £200 in 

Sept 2020, Hull market figures in the 

Farmers Guardian had cull sows averaging 

£57.57……An lastly my father’s aunt 

had some Light Sussex spent hens to sell 

after the war … the local poulterer bid her 

a pound a piece….she declined and sold 

them to him by weight – they came to a 

guinea a piece! A farmworkers wage was 

£5/wk (inc Saturday morning) i.e. it was 

over a days pay to buy a chicken. 

Now someone on minimum 

wage can have one oven 

ready for 20 minutes of 

work! A good many couldn’t 

even pluck it in 20 minutes! 

Had we been allowed a modest inflation 

over the years, it wouldn’t come as such 

a big shock when it finally had to happen. 

We were threatened by cheaper imported 

food – the global market. 

So, when I read in the papers that Mr 

Sunak wants the retailers to voluntarily cap 

the price of food or at least the basics…… 

yes they might but you can bet your bottom 

dollar that it won’t be voluntary for the 

farmers! Or will it? ….. the egg producers 

said “NO”….. Listen up Mr Sunak! 

And by the way that Hawkstone lager is 

bloody good! 

Take care 

Andrew 

04 The National Beef Association Magazine | SUMMER 2023

Chief Executive’s Report 

We need a UK 

food TSAR 

Neil Shand 

I 

was fortunate enough to attend the 

Farm to Fork UK Food Summit at 

number 10 Downing street on the 16 th 

May. 

Credit where credits due, for a Prime 

Minister to create and host the first event 

of its kind for the industry, also for being 

brave enough to call it a UK Summit - 

this is exactly where the problems begin. 

I cannot go into too many details of 

what happened on the day, but news 

outlets have already stated that retailers 

informed Government that food has 

been too cheap for too long - this was a 

welcome, but long overdue statement. 

Within the breakout session in number 

10, I directly, but politely requested 

Therese Coffee install a food TSAR in 

the UK. There is no room for individual 

devolved Governments to determine 

food production from the smaller 

populated countries to achieve dubious 

environmental gain, whilst forcing 

England to import more beef from 

systems of potentially inferior health, 

welfare and environmental balance. 

The sheer lack of knowledge within 

Governments across the whole UK of the 

numbers involved in beef production are 

extremely scary, they talk about people 

eating less, they 

may well do, but 

we import beef 

form a suckler herd 

size of 1.2 million 

cows. The little 

bit less takes a 

seriously long time 

against a backdrop 

of increasing 

population. 

The only sensible 

way to monitor 

and measure 

food security, 

self-sufficiency 

and resilience is 

to look at the UK 

as one – I am not 

anti-devolution - 

but it clearly is 

not fit for purpose 

in all sectors, all 

of the time!! 

Below is an 

extract from a 

Letter from Chris 

Stark - Chief 

Executive of the 

Climate Change 

Committee 

(CCC) to the 

Scottish Rural 

Affairs and Islands Committee - stating 

a requirement for the Beef Herd in 

Scotland to reduce by 26% by 2045, or 

basically 100,000 less cows. This is just 

another highlighting the lack of joint-up 

thinking, where do the CCC think the 

beef from the 100,000 lost cows will 

come from? - Probably Brazil and another 

chunk of rain forests lost! 

“But - Very clearly - 

livestock numbers must 

decline if emissions are 

to fall. In our modelling 

that happens through 

diet change (coupled 

with changes to imports/ 

exports), dairy cattle, 

beef and sheep numbers 

fall by 29%, 26% and 26% 

respectively by 2045”. 

Chris Stark 

Chief Executive, Climate 

Change Committee. 

The equations are just daft - Westminster 

provides the budget - the devolved 

Governments can spend as they like, with 

no interest in food production and the 

UK as a whole can go hungry or import 

from far flung parts of the world. 

I await with bated breath to see if the 

Summit at number 10 delivers some real 

positive change. 


OFFICIAL 

MAGAZINE 

FROM THE NATIONAL 

BEEF ASSOCIATION 

FOR EVERYONE WITH 

AN INTEREST IN THE 

BEEF INDUSTRY 

Advertise from £275+VAT 

Contact Julie Holmes 

07393 463225 



Industry News 

Efficient feeding 

Better value, efficient finishing rations are the key to raising margins 

Creating efficient diets helps lower 

overall beef feed costs 

With beef margins under pressure, finishing 

units need to make best use of the feeds 

available by combining them into highly 

efficient, high value feeding systems. 

Failing to do so can increase feed costs 

by 80p/kg liveweight gain (LWG) or more, 

worth at least £120/head over a 100 to 

120-day finishing period, producers are 

being warned. 

“Efficient growth is a major factor when it 

comes to minimising overall feed costs,” 

explains KW Feeds ruminant technical 

manager Charlotte Ward. 

“For example, grass, maize and wholecrop 

cereal silages are important feeds on 

many beef units, but their relatively low 

digestibility compared to most dry and 

moist feeds means they are not converted 

to liveweight gain particularly well,” she 

adds. 

Inefficient beef finishing 

According to Ms Ward, even the best 

quality silages will not be able to support 

the growth potential of most beef animals, 

and an over-reliance on low digestibility 

feeds will result in rations that are 

inefficient for finishing. As a result, feed 

costs can end up spiralling. 

“For beef producers focussed on using the 

best value feeds available, and converting 

them efficiently into growth, total feed 

costs can be optimised,” she explains. 

“The challenge is that many beef units do 

not have an accurate estimate for the costs 

of production, and do not calculate and 

monitor feed costs per kg LWG. If you do 

not know how much each unit of growth 

is costing, and how it compares to what is 

currently possible and the price for finished 

beef, it is unlikely you will realise how 

much you are losing.” 

Finishing unit profitability is affected by 

several factors, including mortality rate, 

final carcase specification, price per kg 

at slaughter and particularly store price. 

But total feed cost is a factor under the 

control of the producer that can have a 

huge impact, with the overall cost of feed 

accounting for up to 70% of total variable 

costs. 

Feed cost impact 

A finished animal worth around 270p/kg 

LW (485p/kg carcase weight) at slaughter, 

with 80p/kg LWG lower feed costs, leaves a 

lot more margin, and an efficient finishing 

ration is needed to achieve that. 

Ms Ward continues, “Rations capable of 

finishing animals at lower costs per kg 

LWG, will need an energy density of at least 

12.3-12.5MJ ME/kg DM, and ideally closer 

to 13.0MJ ME/kg DM. A starch-plus-sugars 

content of around 30-40% (on a DM basis) 

is also vital to drive growth and finishing.” 

Locally sourced high-starch cereal coproducts 

can be great value if available, 

whilst rolled cereals are also still extremely 

popular. However, the best value alternative 

feeds like processed bread, maize meals, 

biscuit meals and C*Traffordgold can offer 

better value when it comes to supplying 

energy. 

“At the same time, it is important that 

these high levels of starch are carefully 

balanced in the rumen to avoid acidosis, 

promote good rumen function and drive an 

efficient fermentation that releases the full 

potential of the ration,” advises Ms Ward. 

“Access to long fibre such as straw is 

essential in the diet, as is a good level of 

digestible fibre (neutral detergent fibre, 

NDF). Aim for a total ration NDF content 

of around 25%, with soya hulls and sugar 

beet feed both worth considering if extra 

digestible fibre is needed.” 

Best value options 

Ms Ward also highlights the value of moist 

feeds such as the wheat-gluten moist feed 

C*Traffordgold, which can promote very 

efficient growth by supplying both energy 

as digestible fibre plus moisture to increase 

ration palatability and reduce sorting. 

Even beef units with lower feed usage 

rates, or where geography limits availability, 

can still benefit from the advantages of 

C*Traffordgold, through use of moist blends 

that combine it with other moist and dry 

feeds like brewers’ grains, sugar beet feed 

and processed bread, for example. 

“Protein is another area where costs can 

be reduced through careful feed selection. 

Keep in mind that most cattle will finish 

well on rations with an overall crude 

protein content of just 13–14% (on a DM 

basis) during the last 60–90 days before 

slaughter,” says Ms Ward. 

“Careful use of urea can help lower ration 

costs, as can making the most of ‘multipurpose’ 

feeds. High-protein liquid feeds 

can supply both sugars and protein, for 

example, whilst C*Traffordgold combines 

digestible fibre, energy and protein. 

“Remember that it is also important to 

keep cattle stress levels low, as well as 

sticking to a regular feeding routine, 

pushing feed up regularly and keeping 

water troughs clean. Combine that with 

feed choices that put value and feed 

efficiency first, and the overall result will 

be a finishing unit capable of delivering 

a much lower feed cost per kg LWG, and 

better margins as a result,” she concludes. 

*Prices correct at the time of writing and 

subject to change, based on average prices 

for Aug to Oct delivery of 29t tipped bulk 

loads onto farm within 50 miles of origin. 


Finishing cattle? 

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Industry News 

South West farmers aiming for 

six-week calving period 

AHDB monitor farmers, Rob and Liz Priest, have decided to trial a six-week calving 

period in 2024 to help improve efficiency and profits. The couple currently farm on 

the North Cornwall-Devon border, running both cattle and sheep. Most replacements 

are bred on farm, some stock being sold for breeding, both heifers and bulls, all 

remaining stock are finished deadweight. 

80 Stabiliser cows make up the 

suckler herd. The heifers begin 

calving at two years of age and the 

youngstock are then finished between 

20-24 months on a grass-fed diet. 

They have been on a long journey to get to 

this point. Back in 2014 they had an 18 

to 20 week calving period, reducing to 12 

weeks by 2017. They managed to bring 

this down further to nine weeks last year, 

with 93 per cent of calving within the first 

six weeks. They achieved similar results this 

year, with 72 per cent calving in the first 

three weeks. 

Their plan for the 2023 bulling period is 

to still leave the bull in for nine weeks, but 

to sell cows and heifers that are pregnancy 

diagnosed to calf after the first six weeks. 

The Priests considered the alternative option 

of leaving the bull in for just six weeks, 

but on discussion with Charlie Morgan, 

independent grassland consultant, who 


Industry News 

Rob and Liz Priest joined the AHDB Monitor 

Farm programme in 2022. Driven by facts, 

figures and honesty, the Priests like the 

idea of being accountable to an audience to 

encourage them to push their farm business 

to meet its full potential. 

they are working with as part of AHDB’s 

Monitor Farm programme, they have opted 

for bulling for nine weeks and selling incalf 

cows as it would be a more profitable 

decision. 

For the Priests, the bull will run with the 

cows in mid-June before usually pregnancy 

diagnosing at the end of September. The 

person diagnosing can tell when the calves 

were conceived and therefore likely to be 

born, so the Priests can make decisions on 

which animals to sell. 

Rob said: “We’ve got a lot of heifers now 

that we should be able to bull. We didn’t 

bull all of 2021 born heifers last year, as we 

didn’t need to. But we’ll be doing more to 

ensure that we achieve optimum numbers 

within six weeks.” 

They will be putting about 85-90 to bull 

this year, with an optimum number of about 

80 cows and heifers being in calf in the sixweek 

timeframe. 

Rob said: “We did the AHDB Progressive 

Beef Group, and someone there said the 

first three weeks of calving result in your 

profitable calves; those born in the following 

three weeks hold their own, and then 

anything after that you lose money on.” 

“And you can understand 

that because even in nine 

weeks, those that were 

born in week eight or nine 

are so much smaller than 

those that were born in the 

first week.” 

The Priests consider there are many benefits 

to cutting the calving time, including the 

obvious one of cutting down on labour as 

they won’t be having to keep check over 

such a long period of time. 

Liz said: “It will compact the period we 

need to be out there keeping an eye on 

them. With regards to any vaccinations like 

blackleg, you can do them all in one go. 

With a longer calving period, sometimes 

you can’t vaccinate them all in one group, 

therefore you might have to buy two lots of 

vaccination. You’ve also got to get them in 

twice, which leads to more stress on the 

animals. So for management, it should 

make life easier.” 

The Priests are very clear about their 

business strategy and the outcomes they 

want to achieve. Liz added: “You have got 

to say, right, they are going to go if they’re 

not in calf, no second chances. If they’re 

outside of that calving period, then let 

somebody else buy them because they want 

to calf later on. And hopefully doing it this 

way will help to fit in with the lambing as 

well.” 

On the beef side, they are only aware of one 

other Stabiliser breeder who is running a 

six-week calving period. They say it has been 

quite a challenge getting this far. When 

they started to look into it they were calving 

over a 20-week period. And it’s taken time 

to get to the point of more than halving it. 

They have had to be ruthless along the way, 

removing animals from the herd that were 

not meeting their timescales. 


Industry News 

Managing the reputation 

of British beef 

AHDB’s exports and marketing teams have been busy over the last few 

months promoting British beef at home and abroad. In March, AHDBs 

export team were in Japan where they attended Foodex, one of Asia’s 

largest food and drink exhibitions. 

Attending the four-day event held in 

Tokyo was hugely important for our 

sector as it attracted around 3,000 

exhibitors and thousands of red meat 

buyers from across the region. AHDB was 

joined by eight exporters to showcase their 

red meat and help increase exports to this 

valuable market, which last year imported 

more than 3,500 tonnes of beef and lamb 

from the UK, worth a whopping £17 million! 

At these events AHDB works hard to 

showcase British Beef to delegates while 

also trying to build relationships between 

UK exporters and international importers. 

Export markets hold great opportunities for 

adding value to our products, helping to 

maximise carcase balance - in fact last year 

the value of UKs red meat exports was worth 

£1.7 billion, and it’s increasing each year. 

This year marks the first time in three years 

that AHDB has been able to attend Foodex 

in person following the pandemic. During 

COVID, we organised online meetings to 

showcase British Beef and highlight the 

farming systems we operate and the high 

animal health and welfare standards we 

adhere to, helping to boost the reputation of 

our industry globally. 

Due to the importance of export markets to 

our sector, AHDB has recently completed 

a piece of work exploring which countries 

provide the greatest opportunity for UK beef 

and lamb. The analysis: ‘Prospects for UK 

agri-food exports’, shows that outside of the 

EU, Asia and the Middle East are the most 

promising markets for our exports, with 

some potential opportunities also in North 

America. This will provide the focus for our 

export work going forwards. 

As well as our ongoing programme of 

work overseas, we are working hard to 

raise the profile of British beef here, in 

the UK. Our domestic marketing team 

consistently delivers campaigns that ensure 

the positive messages around our beef are 

communicated with millions of consumers 

in the UK. Our We Eat Balanced 

campaign reached 43 million 

people in autumn last year and 

January 2023. With more than 

90 per cent of those that saw it 

on social channels saying they 

were reassured that British meat 

and dairy are sustainable. 

Our marketing team also helped 

to deliver Great British Beef Week 

which was back on St George’s 

Day for its thirteenth year. The 

week-long event celebrated 

‘naturally delicious’ British beef, 

renowned around the world for its 

quality and sustainability. GBBW 

saw farmers, processors, retailers, 

butchers and chefs unite once 

again to share recipes, real-life 

farming stories and infographics 

on social media and in the press, 

as well as industry promotions on beef 

packs, on counter, on menu and in-store. 

Once again, we supported 

this fantastic campaign to 

encourage more people to 

enjoy one of the nation’s 

most iconic meat dishes 

– the British beef roast, 

although this year with a 

twist of Caribbean, Mexican 

and South Asian cuisines. 

And alongside these campaigns, we are 

encouraging people to put beef on their 

barbecue in May, with a range of recipes to 

entice people to try something different – 

including beef steak with summer salsa and 

Alfresco BBQ Beef Kebabs. 

AHDB’s CEO, Tim Rycroft recently wrote to 

the Editor in Chief of The Lancet to formally 

request that The Global Burden of Disease 

Risk Factors Study 2019 is removed from 

publication. 

Released every two years, the 2019 study 

claimed human deaths from eating red meat 

has risen from 25,000 in 2017 to 896,000 

and what is most worrying is that it has a big 

influence on policy makers when considering 

human health and diets. 

Having been made aware by a group 

of highly respected nutrition and 

health scientists that there were major 

questions about the credibility of this 

study, AHDB have spent the past eight 

months questioning The Lancet about the 

robustness of the data and whether an 

acceptable peer review process had been 

followed - something which all scientific 

studies should complete before publication. 

Those questions remain unanswered. 


Industry News 


Advertorial | Gallagher 

Recent developments mean weighing data is automatically sent to the farmer’s mobile phone. 

Record animal performance to 

make better business decisions 

Estimating the weight of cattle by eye can never be as accurate or 

consistent as weighing them individually with a weigh scale. And with new 

technology, recording animal weights is becoming easier. 

Weighing livestock is a powerful 

performance measurement tool 

and should not be regarded as 

a thankless task, begrudgingly 

carried out. 

Done regularly, monitoring weight gain or 

loss can help: 

• Assess if calf weaning weights are being 

achieved 

• Determine the best time to sell finished 

cattle 

• Monitor animal health – healthy 

livestock increases in weight throughout 

the season 

• Make sure the dosing of medicines is 

done accurately 

• Assess if target heifer weights are being 

reached prior to mating 

• Record and evaluate breeding 

performance for future genetic 

selection. 

The value of weight information goes 

further than just being able to make better 

decisions for the individuals or group of 

animals being weighed on a certain day. 

The larger the database of weights and 

liveweight trends there are, for different 

classes of animals over many years, the 

better position the farmer is in for future 

decision making. 

“We were recently at a farm open day where 

farmer visitors were asked to guess the 

weight of two or three animals of different 

sizes,” says Mark Oliver, national account 

manager for Gallagher. 


Gallagher | Advertorial 

“The range of results was staggering – with 

most farmers massively under- and overestimating.” 

Weighing and Electronic 

Identification (EID) 

While sheep EID is compulsory, and the 

likelihood of it becoming mandatory for 

cattle in future, having a weighing and EID 

system that works together makes sense. 

Combined weighing and identification 

reduces time and effort, as the ear 

tag reader reads fast and efficiently, 

automatically matching weight to the animal 

ID number. Human error is removed so the 

figures are always complete and accurate. 

With some models, the full weight history 

of the animal in the crush can be seen 

immediately with a display of weight gain 

performance. 

Gallagher Weigh Scales and Data Recorders 

range from an entry level automatic 

weighing model through to the most 

advanced weighing and data collection 

system available. 

The weigh scales are automatic and 

accurate, even when weighing fast moving, 

lively animals. LCD touch screen navigation 

makes them easy to use even in direct 

sunlight, and the unit has been designed 

and manufactured so it can withstand farm 

use and transport. 

Wireless Loadbars 

Loadbars are an integral part of a livestock 

weighing system, positioned under a 

platform or a crush to take the weight of 

the animal. Manufactured using heavy 

galvanised steel makes them waterproof and 

gives them long life, even in the harshest of 

environments. With no moving parts, they 

ensure years of accurate weighing. 

However, until now, the most common 

failure point has been the electric cables 

that connect to the weigh scale reader, 

which is usually mounted on the side of the 

crush. 

“Fifty per cent of loadbar 

failures are thought to be 

caused by damage to the 

cables,” says Mark. “So the 

inventors at Gallagher came 

up with an answer – the first 

ever Wireless Loadbars.” 

When an animal walks onto the platform, 

the wireless loadbar module turns on, 

measures and locks a weight, sends that 

data to the weigh scale or mobile app and 

then powers off again. 

The wireless design makes the platform or 

crush easy to transport and move to different 

weighing locations, as there are no wires to 

trail behind. 

These loadbars can be connected directly 

by Bluetooth to a Touch Screen Weigh 

Scale or a producer’s mobile phone can be 

turned into a weigh scale with the Animal 

Performance mobile app. 

This app comes in two levels. The free Every 

Day level gives a fully connected Weighing 

and EID experience, to enable easy animal 

data collection. Farmers can access their 

animal data on any device, wherever and 

whenever they need it. 

Animal Performance Plus, which is 

available by monthly subscription, is the 

upgraded version of the app, lifting data 

administration to a higher level. 

“Weighing and collecting animal 

performance data is an increasingly 

important element of any livestock 

Wireless loadbars make weighing animals easier. 

business,” says Mark. “Many beef farmers 

may just want to weigh their animals at key 

points in the year. 

“For others, having individual life histories 

at the touch of a button, on their phone, out 

in the field or on their laptop in the office, 

is super helpful for making management 

decisions. Whatever level is required, 

Gallagher has weighing and EID options for 

them.” 

Farmers looking for accurate 

and reliable weighing and EID 

equipment can request a free onsite 

consultation with a Gallagher 

specialist. This will ensure that the 

farm is getting the right solution for 

its specific needs. Find out more on 

www.gallagher.eu. 

Or contact the Gallagher customer 

service team by email at info.uk@ 

gallaghereurope.com for details of 

all Gallagher weighing and fencing 

products. 


Industry News 

Using an automatic feeding system is allowing 

one Irish farm to finish 1,500 cattle annually 

with one labour unit. 

A Lely Vector automatic feeding system is contributing to strong daily 

liveweight gains of up to 2kg and zero mortality at Glen South Farm’s dairybeef 

finishing unit in Banteer, Co Cork. 

With slim margins, the secret 

to the unit’s success is a 

fast turnaround of cattle and 

system simplicity, says farm 

manager Aine Sweeney, who runs the farm 

singlehandedly. 

“If cattle are not turned around within 70 

days there’s no point in keeping them,” 

explains Ms Sweeney, who is figure-led in 

every aspect of the business. 

She operates a strict policy of not holding 

onto animals if they have not hit target 

weight within this timeframe. 

“We have weight data on 

every animal that has been 

on the farm over the past 

eight and half years and 

we know the extra days 

spent on the farm don’t 

pay because what it costs 

compared to what they put 

on doesn’t pay. If we see 

animals slowing down, they 

must go.” 

Stores are sourced from local markets 

and farms, finished, and sold directly to 

ABP, Rathkeale. Bullocks average 320kg 

deadweight and heifers 275kg with both 

killing out at 49%, on average. 

The farm runs a winter and summer 

programme. During the spring and summer, 

lighter animals of 300kg or more are 

sought, with cattle rotationally 

grazed on the farm’s 200-acre 

grazing platform. 

In the winter, heifers weighing 

450kg and bullocks tipping the 

scales at 500kg will be purchased 

for a faster turnaround. 

Grazing cattle are weighed and 

dosed every seven weeks and 

brought inside when they are one 

month away from finishing. 

The 400-acre farm was set up 

as a beef finishing unit 10 years ago. A 

single-span shed houses 250 cattle at full 

capacity with animals kept on rubber slats 

in pens of 28. 

The robot feeds out seven times a day 

and pushes up feed every 40 minutes. 

Currently, cattle are fed a total mixed ration 

(TMR) comprising 9kg of maize, 4.5kg of 

grass-silage, 6kg of wholecrop wheat and 

5kg of a 16% concentrate, with feed costs 

totalling £2.91/day. 

It takes Ms Sweeney 15 minutes to fill the 

feed kitchen each morning. The feed is 


Industry News 

picked up by a grab, which deposits preprogrammed 

amounts of each ingredient 

into a robotic mixing tub with a vertical 

auger. The tub is then guided by metal 

strips around the shed’s external feed 

passage. 

“The one thing people say when they come 

in the yard is that there is no noise. That’s 

because cattle always have fresh feed,” 

says Ms Sweeney. 

Bullying has been eliminated, too, she 

adds: “The shy animals get the same 

quality mix as the bigger fella. The Vector 

mirrors the freedom cattle get when they 

are grazing – animals can eat, sleep and 

drink when they want because there’s no 

set feed time.” 

Bullocks average daily liveweight gains of 

1.7kg and heifers 1.5kg. 

“If we have good genetics and the dairy 

farmer is using good beef bulls on their 

dairy cows, we can achieve 2kg plus,” 

explains Ms Sweeney. 

The system has freed up time to focus 

on animal health and welfare. Instead of 

spending hours feeding Ms Sweeney uses 

that time to walk the shed and check 

animals and clean water troughs twice 

daily. 

This level of attention is paying dividends 

with mortality running at zero for the past 

two years. 

The Vector costs £6.17 daily with Ms 

Sweeney conceding that using a diet feeder 

would be significantly more expensive. As 

well as having to employ another person, 

the farm would need to purchase a tractor 

and diesel use would rise. 

“It works seven days a week, doesn’t require holiday, 

is never late for work, and doesn’t phone in sick,” 

says Ms Sweeney. 


NBA Regional Round-ups 

REGIONAL 

COUNCIL CONTACTS 

NORTHERN 

William Walton - Chairman 

Northumberland, NE47 

Email: fay.penpeugh@hotmail.com 

SOUTH WEST 

Robert Venner - Chairman 

Email: robert.venner@gth.net 

Phoebe Hart - Secretary 

Tel: 07309 666895 

Email: phoebe.hart@ 

molevalleyfarmers.com 

NBA Regional 

Round-ups 

South West 

WALES 

Contact Head Office 

Tel: 01434 601005 

NORTHERN IRELAND 

Stephen Heenan - Chairman 

County Down, BT30 8RT 

Tel: 07889 159496 

Email: stephenheenan63@yahoo.co.uk 

SCOTLAND 

Paul Ross - Chairman 

Email: paul@lenahowe.co.uk 

Neil Wilson - Vice Chairman 

Email: neil@sabadvisory.co.uk 

Tel: 07734812704 

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NATIONAL BEEF 

ASSOCIATION TODAY 

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Since the Spring edition of this magazine 

trade has continued in a very strong vein 

for all classes of beef cattle. The calves 

have even seen an improvement as best 

calves are now over £400. We’ve seen more 

rain than we would have liked but at least 

silage crops should be plentiful this year. 

There has been a food scare in the pig meat 

sector as a processor has been accused of 

using “rotten” meat. Details are sparse but 

lets hope it keeps beef processors’ minds 

focused on ensuring no such repetition 

occurs in our sector. As discussed in last 

month’s article, an off farm created food 

scare is currently probably the biggest threat 

to our industry. 

Concurrently assurance and standards on 

farm are the main item of conversation 

amongst farmers. Rarely a week goes by 

without a Vendor ringing to ask is it still 

worth being Red Tractor assured? If a Vendor 

is not selling finished cattle, it is difficult to 

suggest that it is financially worth being Red 

Tractor assured. The ongoing “cranking up” 

of standards and the financial implications 

of obtaining a veterinary health plan are 

the main reasons given for wanting to 

leave. Along with the odd zealous inspector 

causing consternation. 

The main argument for RT assurance is 

that by having high standards we give the 

consumer confidence to buy our product and 

we can argue against imports of beef, which 

are produced to lower standards. 

Sales of beef are currently very strong and 

consumers have confidence in our British 

product. Whether this is because it is 

produced in our country which has high 

statutory requirements, or whether it is 

because of RT is debateable. Which carries 

the most weight, a Union Jack flag or the 

Red Tractor logo? During recent trade deals 

it would appear our Government have not 

taken into account our RT standards when 

granting access to our home markets. The 

only remaining strong argument for being 

assured is to keep Supermarkets on side and 

that is why finishers remain assured. 

Many farmers feel they ought to be RT 

assured but as it becomes increasingly 

onerous and expensive many are dropping 

out of the scheme. Numbers are not readily 

available but a significant proportion are 

thought to have left. RT therefore faces a 

problem of lost income and at what point 

does it become unviable as a business? 

Proposals have been put forward for a 

“British Standard”, a risk appropriate “Store 

Stock Standard” or a simplification of full 

RT. The argument against “British Standard” 

is that some countries have higher standards 

involving Carbon footprint calculations and 

antibiotic resistance prevention measures 

and if retailers considered overseas product 

to be of a higher standard than ours, they 

might decide to switch to such imports. 

Any Store Stock Standard would have to 

be sufficiently attractive to producers to 

encourage them into assurance for the good 

of the industry and not for any immediate 

financial gain. This would mean it not being 

a stressful or worrying process and possibly 


NBA Regional Round-ups 

linked to the Governments Animal Health and Welfare 

Pathway to cover any veterinary cost. Simplifying full 

RT will be resisted by RT itself but even if done, it is 

unlikely that any such simplification would encourage 

the departed to re-join. 

So we are in a dilemma to which there are no easy 

answers and possibly insurmountable by industry itself. 

Therefore we should look to Government. One solution 

in their power would be to provide funding under ELMS. 

Farmers could access advisors to assist them to achieve 

the standards and much of the worry and stress of the 

“paperwork” would be taken out of the process for 

them. The above mentioned Animal Health and Welfare 

Pathway could also remove some of the financial burden 

of the Veterinary Health Plan. Both these solutions lie in 

the hands of our Government and discussions need to 

be had with them to explore these suggestions. 

A continuation of the ongoing RT scenario is unlikely to 

be resolved to the satisfaction of any party and hence it 

is a situation that Government ought to become involved 

with. If at any of the Summer shows at which many MPs 

appear, please take the opportunity to discuss with them 

the possibility funding for RT “mentors” under ELMS. 

The more that do speak the more likely the seed may be 

sown. 

Rob Venner 

SUSSEX CATTLE SOCIETY 

EASY CALVING 

DOCILE 

FINISH ON FORAGE 

BASED DIET 

CONSERVATION 

GRAZERS 

BULLS BY PRIVATE TREATY ON OUR WEBSITE 

Tel: 01580 880105 

ELIGIBLE FOR 

BREEDS AT RISK 

PAYMENT 

enq@sussexcattlesociety.org.uk 

www.sussexcattlesociety.org.uk 

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Parasite Watch | Sioned Timothy 

Parasite Watch 

Sioned Timothy 

Technical Services Manager, Boehringer 

Ingelheim Animal Health 

Paddock management for parasite control 

Pasture management is one of the 

most effective ways to reduce parasite 

load in cattle, and some alternative 

paddock and grass-utilisation 

strategies can also be useful in overall 

parasite management. 

Reduce stocking density 

Fewer animals per hectare reduces the need 

for cattle to graze close to dung pats, where 

there will be a higher proportion of infective 

parasite larvae. 

Move cattle 

Prevent over-grazing to reduce the quantity 

of worm larva ingested. 80 percent of 

parasites are concentrated in the first 5cm 

of grass 1 so move cattle on to longer grass 

before it’s eaten down to an extreme. 

Mixed-age grazing 

Adult cattle have usually developed a good 

immunity to worms. They can better tolerate 

worm infections and excrete lower quantities 

of worm eggs than calves and youngstock. 

Grazing first-season animals alongside older 

animals reduces their exposure to worm 

larvae on the pasture. 

Leader follower 

Where paddocks can be rotated, allow the 

most-susceptible animals (usually calves) 

to graze ahead of older cattle. This provides 

calves with the least-infected paddocks, 

while older cattle are more able to tolerate 

increasing worm infectivity. 

Use silage aftermath 

Moving youngstock to fields after the last 

cut of silage can be a useful method to 

mitigate the mid-summer rise in parasites 

on pasture. 

Faecal egg count tests 

Regardless of the paddock management 

employed, regular pooled faecal egg 

count tests (FECs) can be a useful tool to 

assess the amount of larvae being shed 

onto pasture over the first few months of 

the grazing period, and along with regular 

weighing of youngstock, can help with 

decisions on whether animals require a 

worm treatment or not. 

IVOMEC ® Classic Pour-On is a tried and 

tested wormer that treats and provides 

protection against reinfection with the most 

pathogenic gutworm species, Ostertagia 

ostertagi for up to 21 days, and the cattle 

lungworm for up to 28 days. 

1. Herd, R. (1985) Strategies for Nematode Control in 

Cattle. Modern Veterinary Practice. 66:10, 741-744 

IVOMEC ® Classic Pour-On for cattle contains 

ivermectin. POM-VPS. Advice should be sought from 

the prescriber. Further information available in the 

SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health 

UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: 01344 746957. Email: 

vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. IVOMEC ® 

and the Steerhead ® logo are registered trademarks of 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France SCS, used 

under licence. ©2023 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal 

Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: 

Apr 2023. UI-BOV-0040-2023. Use Medicines 

Responsibly. 


Kate Bowen | Guest Vet 

Guest Vet 

Kate Bowen 

MA, VetMB, PGDip, MRCVS 

Veterinary Director - UK Farmcare Ltd 

Safe cattle handling for TB tests 

As any farmer, farm vet or indeed 

cow will know the day of the 

‘TB test’ can be stressful for all 

involved. There are, however, a 

few ways the experience can be made 

safer and smoother yielding results in 

terms of faster throughput of animals, 

less stress for cattle and improved 

safety of the vet and handlers. 

The ideal situation for the TB test is 

a dedicated cattle handling system 

made up of a cattle crush, race and 

pens. When purchasing this sort of 

system, consider how easy it is to 

access the neck area, ideally on both 

sides, to carry out the skin test. A 

lot of modern crushes have lots of 

metal separating the handler from 

the cattle, which can make accessing 

the neck area difficult and potentially 

dangerous, leading to squashed 

hands and broken fingers. Seeking 

the advice of your vet when you are 

considering a new purchase is sensible 

as they will have seen lots of set ups 

and be able to advise on the types of 

crushes that work well. Double yokes 

are a fantastic invention which really 

help to keep cattle still and it would 

be great to see these more widely 

installed. 

There are also a few aspects of cattle 

behaviour to consider when putting 

together a handling system, which 

can help to avoid the disappointment 

of investing in a system which the 

animals still don’t flow through easily. 

Solid sides to races will help to 

prevent cattle becoming distracted by 

anything outside of the race, helping 

the flow of animals through the 

system. Any loose or flapping objects 

in the race, such as loose chains or 

plastic, should also be removed as 

these will also cause cattle to stop to 

investigate them further. 

Cattle do not like moving 

from bright into dark 

areas so consider 

where the entry point 

to the system is and 

try to avoid shadows or 

changes in light levels at 

this point. 

Systems that involve cattle having 

to travel downhill also tend to be 

unpopular but, where this cannot be 

avoided, making sure the slope is 

gentle and the surface is non-slip will 

help reduce issues at this point. 

The majority of cattle will investigate 

potential threats with their left eye, 

which connects to the right side of the 

brain, thus meaning most cattle will 

circle anti-clockwise around a handler. 

You can take advantage of this to help 

cattle move through pens by setting up 

a system to suit the natural flow of the 

animals through it. 

Testing young cattle that turn around 

in the system can be frustrating as 

your vet will prefer to test all animals 

on the same side of the neck where 

possible. Consider the addition of 

panels to reduce the width of the race 

and/or the crush when the young cattle 

are coming through. Alternatively, 

make your race wedge-shaped so that 

it is narrower at the bottom which will 

help to stop smaller animals turning 

while allowing adult cattle to pass 

through the same system. 

Your vet will hugely appreciate a 

protected workspace that cattle 

cannot enter, where they can stand 

and lay out their kit and paperwork. 

It is all too easy when distracted 

testing one animal to not notice that 

another animal is in close proximity 

or is busy eating your paperwork 

(it does happen!) Protection from 

the elements, both for vet and kit/ 

paperwork, will be gratefully received 

on wet days, or indeed as seems to be 

becoming more common on very hot 

days. 

Further information on handling cattle 

can be found at https://ahdb.org.uk/ 

knowledge-library/improving-cattlehandling-for-better-returns 


Industry News 

SUCCESS 

SUGARS FOR 

Whether you are finishing beef cattle on a cereal or forage-based system, adding a 

molasses blend could have a significant impact on performance. 

are a vital nutrient in 

all beef rations and are more 

than just a source of energy,” 

“Sugars 

comments Georgina Chapman, 

from molasses blend specialists ED&F Man. 

“They can have a positive impact on rumen 

health and digestion across all diets.” 

She explains that both starch and sugars 

are fermentable carbohydrate sources. 

Sugars are rapidly fermentable, providing 

an immediate energy source for rumen 

microbes, making sugars a valuable way to 

improve rumen function. 

“It is important to understand that not all 

sugar sources are the same. The six-carbon 

sugars found in molasses based liquid 

feeds are more highly fermentable than 

the five-carbon sugars found in silages and 

other liquid feeds that are co-products of 

fermentation such as pot ale syrup and 

wheat syrups. 

“In addition, as these products have already 

been fermented they have little effect in the 

rumen, unlike molasses where the sugars 

are fermented in the rumen, stimulating 

microbial activity and growth.” 

In forage-based diets, Georgina says that 

feeding molasses-based liquid feeds to 

supplement grazing or conserved forages 

improved the value of the forages, driving 

dry matter intakes and improving fibre 

digestibility. 

Rapidly fermentable carbohydrates are 

required by the fibre digesting bacteria 

in the rumen. Sugars fuel the bacteria, 

increasing the numbers of bacteria present 

and the rate at which fibre is digested 

which releases more nutrients from the 

feed. In addition, a more rapid fermentation 

increases rumen throughput and stimulates 

higher dry matter intakes without risking 

rumen health. 

“On a practical point, with forages molassesbased 

liquid feeds can help improve 

palatability and reduce sorting in the diet 

where concentrates are mixed with forages. 

Georgina says there are similar benefits with 

cereal-based diets. She comments that with 

barley prices currently attractive making it 

a cost-effective source of starch and energy, 

producers may be tempted to feed more. 

Georgina Chapman. 

However, by doing so they increase the 

risk of acidosis which can disrupt rumen 

function and depress intakes, leading to 

poorer growth rates. 

“Starch plays an important role in rumen 

microbial growth and is commonly included 

in diets at 18-20% of dry matter. But the 

fermentation of cereals can change the 

balance of acids in the rumen, particularly 

stimulating lactic acid production and 

predisposing cattle to sub-acute ruminal 

acidosis (SARA) or acidosis if rumen pH 

falls below 5.8. 

“It is possible to replace some starch in 

the diet with sugars and reduce the risk of 

acidosis and improve rumen health. The 

fermentation of sugar in the rumen leads 

to an increase in butyric acid which helps 

maintain a higher rumen pH within the 

desirable range (pH 6.2-6.8). 

Sugars also promote the development of 

bacterial populations in the rumen which 

can aid in reducing levels of lactic acid, 

therefore lowering the overall acid load.” 

New research carried out by ED&F Man 

at the University of Milan investigated the 

effects of replacing a proportion of starch 

in the diet of beef cattle with a high sugar 

molasses based liquid feed. The cattle fed 

the liquid feed were significantly heavier at 

the end of the trial with a higher average 

daily liveweight gain. They also had a 

higher dry matter intake and superior feed 

conversion efficiency. 

“Even though barley is good value at 

the moment, replacing a proportion with 

a molasses based liquid feed such as 

Economol or Stockmol 20 could improve 

rumen efficiency for better overall animal 

performance,” Georgina concludes. 


Molasses Blends 

The Essential Ingredient 

Increase feed efficiency 

to improve margins 

INCREASED FEED EFFICIENCY 

Drive Dry 

Matter Intake 

Reduce 

Ration Sorting 

Reduce 

Feed Waste 

Want to know more? 

Contact your local 

Commercial Manager: 

Richard Dobson 07764 344716 

Angela Sutherby 07957 642669 

Danielle Goatley 07710 075824 

Georgina Chapman 07485 192774 

Nutritionist | Technical Support Manager 

www.edfmanliquidproductsuk.com 

@EDFMan_Molasses 

Feeding Britain’s Farms

Industry News 

Exceptional trade sees beef sector 

benefit from live sales ring 

Trade for prime cattle, stores and cast cows has been flying through the 

livestock markets of England and Wales in the first part of 2023, following 

a bumper year in 2022, auctioneers across the country are reporting. 

The trade for store cattle has been 

exceptional, according to Bradley 

Towell of Frome Livestock Market. 

“Up to the end of March we have 

sold 9,029 head of store cattle and reared 

calves at Frome, an increase of 2,824 for 

the same period last year,” he says. 

“This can be put down to a combination 

of factors including a strong trade, late 

spring, fodder shortage and a resurgence in 

vendors having confidence in the auction 

system over private farm to farm sales.” 

Difficult to value without competition 

According to Mr Towell the returns being 

achieved for store cattle in auction marts 

across the country make it extremely 

difficult to value store cattle on the farm 

without introducing competition. 

The auction system also has the added 

benefit of attracting different customers 

for different weights and grades of cattle, 

meaning individual buyers will bid more for 

what they want. 

“Competition for stronger, 

shorter-term feeding 

stores is fuelled by the 

record high finished beef 

price, also reflected in the 

trade for medium-term 

stores. Suckler-bred store 

cattle are in short supply 

nationally which is resulting 

in some fantastic record 

prices being achieved,” he 

says. 

Alastair Sneddon of Bagshaws has seen a 

similar picture through the store cattle ring 

at Bakewell Market, stating “We have been 

up to our market capacity on a number of 

occasions this spring. 

“There has been no shortage with a good 

supply, but the prices have remained just 

as firm. The demand has continued to 

outstrip that supply,” he adds. 

Ahead of the best deadweight price 

Auctioneers are also reporting that trade for 

prime beef is the highest it has ever been, 

evident by the returns achieved in livestock 

marts across the country. 

“The demand for top quality suckler bred 

prime cattle in our auction rings in Carlisle 

is being driven first and foremost by family 

wholesale meat businesses and butchers,” 

says Scott Donaldson of H&H. 

“With values beginning to break the £3/ 

kg barrier some months ago, the best are 

now frequently £3.30 - £3.40/kg in our 

live rings, pushing the top prices for heavy 

cattle in excess of £2500 per head. 

“Quality cattle of this kind are not in 

abundance and with the best finished sorts 

killing out above 60% in a wholesaler’s 

abattoir, with minimal trim compared to 

the major processors, these cattle still work 

out well over 30p/kg ahead of the best 

deadweight price on offer,” he adds. 

Willing to bid more 

Mr Towell agrees, stating the top-grade 

prime cattle have been achieving strong 

prices for some time, but it is the standard 

quality and also-rans that look the dearest, 

he claims. 

“We operate a ‘green market’ on a 

Wednesday which, in addition to abattoir 

buyers, allows customers to buy cattle 

in the prime ring to feed. This is a huge 

advantage as it underpins the value and 

increases the number of buyers and 

therefore increases competition,” he says 

“As with the prime cattle, the plainer grade 

3 and 4 cows look the dearest as there are 

buyers looking to source cows to feed out of 

a green market,” he adds. 


“It is unbelievable what some of the plainer 

cows are making in the live ring week after 

week. This reinforces the principle that 

there is a massive benefit to selling cows 

liveweight, as there is competition for 

different grades from buyers willing to bid 

more for the grade that will best suit their 

job.” 

Demand for processing and manufacturing 

meat 

Mr Donaldson adds, “The other issues that 

have plagued our industry such as weight 

and age limits appear to have gone out the 

window. Neither age nor weight matter, 

with the incredible demand for processing 

and manufacturing meat, the cull cow ring 

has experienced the same phenomenon as 

the prime cattle ring.” 

Loyal deadweight suppliers are reaping 

the rewards by returning to the live ring, 

according to Mr Donaldson. 

“A recent consignor to the cull cow ring 

in Carlisle with 20 suckler cows averaging 

750kgs, returned a gross average of £1700 

per head. That is £150 per head better 

than the deadweight alternative, with no 

deductions for being over fat. 

“The same consignor, with an identical 

batch in October 2022 averaged £260 

less, proving how much the trade has 

improved in six months, manly driven by 

the demand in the live ring. We have now 

had cows and cast bulls break the £3000/ 

head barrier on a number of occasions,” he 

adds. 

Chris Dodds, executive secretary of 

the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association 

comments, “Our 2022 throughput figures 

revealed an overall turnover of £2.1 billion 

Industry News 

across all categories in England and Wales. 

“This reflects the trend we have seen of 

producers returning to the live sales ring, 

but also the fact that the auction system 

is attracting multiple potential buyers. 

This is providing the opportunity for beef 

producers to market their stock to its full 

value, based on current demand,” he 

concludes. 

✔ Improves palatability and intakes of home grown feeds 

✔ Improves liveweight gain and carcass quality 

✔ Increases energy density 

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Breed Society Focus | South Devons 

Where Quality Comes Naturally 

The South Devon breed has been a part of native beef production for centuries; 

but more so than at any time previously today’s animal is ideally positioned for the 

challenges being faced by sustainable livestock farming in the UK. 

As the country transitions from 

Single Farm Payment subsidies it is 

critical for the survival of the suckler 

herd that the absolute best use is 

made of resources, whether the business is 

focussing primarily on arable production or 

specialising in livestock. 

The South Devon dam is a modern efficient 

suckler cow that does exactly what’s 

required of her: to produce beef animals 

efficiently and quietly, at low cost and 

with low maintenance, in systems befitting 

low carbon environmental demands from 

processors and consumers alike. 

The South Devon firmly holds its own 

against other breeds when it comes to 

performance, with bull beef finishing at little 

over twelve months in the fastest systems, 

with the capacity to consistently reach net 

weights of around 400 kg and grading R’s 

and U’s. 

For those areas which are not suitable for 

growing arable crops the South Devon will 

forage very efficiently, browsing on moorland 

or grazing on lowland, maximising the land 

and maximising profitability. More and more 

farms are now looking at rotational grazing 

as part of good soil management, and the 

South Devon’s docility and grass conversion 

ability fit nicely here, as well as in more lean 

environments. 

Milky dams produce rich plentiful milk 

from forage to give their calves the best 

opportunity to grow quickly into quality beef 

animals or profitable breeding replacements, 

resulting in bigger calves at weaning. Many 

herds now calve heifers at two to maximise 

returns. 

The breed is very versatile and crosses 

very well with other native and continental 

breeds to suit individual producers’ specific 

requirements and to bring hybrid vigour. 

The breed Society which currently 

represents about 600 farming businesses 

nationwide plus a swathe of commercial 

farmers takes a progressive approach to 

supporting its members. 

In recent years this has included research 

into the influence of the myostatin gene 

variant which enables selection through 

DNA testing of the most suitable myostatin 

status breeding animals. Breeding is 

authenticated by obligatory DNA parent 

testing of all pedigree bulls, and voluntary 

testing of females plus random checktesting 

across the national herd. 

In 2022 the South Devon Society became 

the first UK beef breed to launch genomic 

EBVs for all recorded traits using Single 

Step BREEDPLAN. This technology 

significantly increases the accuracy of 

recorded production data which is often 

the flaw in the interpretation of estimated 

breeding values. By using actual rather 

than average genetic data in conjunction 

with pedigree and performance the selection 

process of breeding animals becomes 

considerably more robust. 

The Society offers free performance 

recording to all its members. For the last 

few years the NBA Beef Expo has hosted the 

South Devon Performance Championships to 

highlight the importance of recording, and 

we look forward to a return to J36 in 2024. 

With the beef market where 

it is the size of the South 

Devon is very much to its 

advantage. 

Although some would say that a small 

cow is critical to the economics of a beef 

production unit, the South Devon will easily 

produce a fast-growing calf that is the 

right equivalent of the cow’s weight, and 

which will yield a heavy carcase and pay 

significantly better than a smaller cow with 

less productive, lighter progeny. Expensive 

bought in feed is not an essential for the 

breed. 


South Devons | Breed Society Focus 

Lumbylaw Halcyon 8. 

With labour resources being considerably thinner in 

recent years, what’s needed for safety of handling and 

management on a farm is a docile breed – and they 

don’t come much more docile than the South Devon! 

For further information please visit our Facebook page 

and website www.sdhbs.org.uk, or telephone the Breed 

Secretary Caroline Poultney on 01392 447494. 


Breed Society News 

Breed Society 

NEWS 

Red Poll Cattle Society 

Breed Societies, do 

you have any news 

you would like us 

to publish? 

Email your copy and any images to 


The Society continues to grow steadily with more commercial 

farmers becoming members. There is also an increasing interest 

in members starting up dairy herds. Last year there were five 

with one establishing a herd of over 50 milking cows, the 

dual purpose characteristics of the breed coming to the fore 

again. The increase in environmental schemes and the use of 

native breeds in the management of these sites has also had 

a beneficial effect on the increased numbers of animals being 

kept. Heifer registrations were slightly up last year with 775 

registered compared to 756 in 2021. Bull registrations were the 

same at 30. These are from 116 members compared to 110 in 

2021. Igenity Beef Profiling is being carried out on both males 

and females with nearly 500 results in the database. We have 

also started to sample animals for the A2A2 milk gene. It is too 

early to have any significant details but it looks at first glance 

that about 30% of the breed are carrying the gene. 

The 2022 Herds Competition again proved to be very popular 

with over 70 herds taking part divided into 4 regions. 

The National Herd Competition and Small Herds was won by 

Nigel Steer, Welsummer herd, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The 

Large Herds winners were Sarah & Gerald Barnes’s Hopeham 

Herd, Tasburgh, Norwich. A very big thank you to Judge Mark 

Cheetham. 

Regional winners were: 

Midlands – Watergate Herd, The Hunt Family, Hockcliffe, Beds. 

(Judge – Denis Jenkins) 

East – Hopeham Herd, Sarah & Gerald Barnes’s, Tasburgh, 

Norfolk (Judge – David Hunt) 

South – Ruscombe Herd, Rebecca Charley, Stroud, 

Gloucestershire (Judge – Joy Broughton) 

North – Pinguis Herd, John Williams, Telford, Shropshire (Judge 

– Ray Bowler) 

Area Presentation days were well attended, it is an ideal 

occasion to view members’ herds and to interact with other 

likeminded people. 

A big thank you must be given to all the Judges who gave up 

their time to judge. 

The show season was disappointing due to the lack of exhibitors 

and numbers forward, however it is hoped that 2023 will be 

more successful with our National Show being held at the Royal 

Cheshire Show in June. 

The Society continues to catalogue all the Society archive 

material, we now have it all in one place, documented and easily 

available for scrutinising when required. A very big thank you 

to our Archivist Joy Broughton for carrying out this work. Our 

website has been updated to cope with all the latest technology 

necessary these days. It has become the first point of call for 

anyone looking to buy or sell Red Poll Cattle and a useful tool for 

information and news. 

We are hoping that 2023 will bring even more interest in the 

breed and we are looking forward to getting out and about again 

at both county and local shows. 



British White Cattle Society 

The BWCS Spring Sale held at Melton Mowbray Market on Saturday 

22 nd April attracted a keen crowd of buyers at the ringside, with strong 

trade driving a 92% clearance of the 25 cattle forward on the day, and 

an overall sale average of 1,932gns (£2,028) a head. 

Topping the British White heifer section at 2,800gns was Alcroft 

Poppy, one of a run of four maidens forward from F W Cook & Son, 

Cambridgeshire, all sired by the prolific stock bull De Beauvoir 

Mazerati (bred by Mrs A Dunn) and sold to the Emily Estate, Somerset, 

to an average of 2,625gns for the pen. 

Leading the bull trade at 2,700gns was four-year-old Woodbastwick 

Dalrymple (EX91), jointly exhibited by Miss C Liddle (Allasson herd) 

and Mr A Fisher (Nidderdale herd), North Yorkshire. Purchased as 

a yearling from Rotac Farms and since siring daughters retained by 

both herds, this bull now also moves on to pastures new at the Emily 

Estate, Somerset. To the same buyer went the 2022 BWCS Bull of 

the Year, Alcroft Gunslinger from F W Cook & Son, Cambridgeshire, 

knocked down at 2,200gns. 

Looking forward to the summer 

show season, British White breed 

classes are scheduled at major shows 

including the Royal Three Counties, 

Royal Norfolk and Royal Welsh, and 

the next Society show and sale will 

be held again at Melton Mowbray 

Market on Friday 8 th – Saturday 9 th 

September 2023. 

Devon Cattle Breeders’ Society 

Champion Priorton Whisky. 

Top Seller Champson Magnificence. 

At our Spring Show & Sale 28 th March there was strong demand for 

Red Ruby Devon bulls. There were 2 classes of bulls shown prior to 

the sale, with the following results: 

Class 1 

1 st Champson Magnificence - Messrs G Dart and Sons 

2 nd Rocknell Freddie - GJ Summerhayes 

3 rd Mere Park Claret - Mr & Mrs L Armishaw 

Class 2 

1 st Priorton Whisky - JW May 

2 nd Rocknell Jasper - GJ Summerhayes 

3 rd Tilbrook Endurance - GM Hunter Ltd 

Priorton Whisky clinched the overall championship. 

A class of 9 females were judged by Mike Yeandle in their pens and 

Margaret Elliott’s maiden heifer Cutcombe Lucky 24 th came top. 

The sale leader at 6200gns was Champson Magnificence from 

Messrs G Dart and Sons, South Molton, Devon. By Colleton 

Thorven and out of Champson Tulip 119 th , a Knowstone Fitzroy 

4 th daughter, this one met a frenzied bidding with the hammer 

dropping for A J Jones and Son, Raglan, Gwent. 

Next best at 4800gns was the reserve champion Rocknell 

Jasper from G J Summerhayes, Tiverton, Devon. By the 2022 

stock bull of the year, Knowstone Showboy EX90.Taking this 

one home was H North & A Syed, Ilminster, Somerset. 

Females met a more selective trade on the day with a top 

call of 1600gns for Cutcombe Lucky 24 th from Mrs M Elliot, 

Dulverton, Somerset. This one found a new home with M H and 

B M Janes, Raglan, Gwent. 

Bull average was £4357.50 



RECORD SIMMENTAL AVERAGES AT MAY PEDIGREE SALES AND 

STRONG DEMAND FOR SIMMENTAL BREEDING FEMALES! 

The strong demand for pedigree and commercial Simmental 

cattle has seen record breaking averages at both the pedigree 

sales at Stirling, and Carlisle, in May. Commercial sales have 

seen a similarly strong trade for Simmental breeding cattle. At 

Stirling, Simmental bulls averaged £5828, up by £195 on the 

year, and a record average at this fixture for the third year in 

a row. The 16,000gns top price for Overhill House Neil from 

Richard McCulloch was the top all-breeds price at the sale. 

At Carlisle, there was a 100% clearance of bulls forward and 

with a new centre record average of £6519. With a tremendous 

demand from commercial producers for the efficiency of 

Simmental females, the Society introduced a sale of 35 Simm X 

High Health bulling heifers at the May Sale at Carlisle. In what 

was a first and new step in marketing quality Simmental bulling 

heifers with a high health status alongside the pedigree section, 

the sale proved successful and with a top price of £3800 for a 

19-month-old Simmental heifer from D&R Durno, Ballandalloch, 

Glenlivet. In all, the bulling heifers averaged just over £2000. 

At ANM’s Thainstone’s sale of breeding cattle in early May, the 

Smith family from Towiemore Farm sold 90 heifers, almost 

all Simmental, with calves at foot to a top price of £4350, 

six outfits in all over £4000, and an average of £3453! Back 

at Stirling, Jim & Liz Dyet, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, 

Lanarkshire topped the sale of commercial bulling heifers with 

Aberdeen-Angus Tops BCMS Registrations 

16,000gns Overhill House Neil, the all-breeds top price at the May 

Stirling Multi Breed Sale, and the record price for that fixture. 

three 16 to 18-month-old Simmentals each making £3650 when 

selling to repeat buyers Alastair Mitchell, Victoria Farm, Muthill, 

Crieff. For all Simmental sales and news updates then please go 

to www.britishsimmental.co.uk and Facebook @britishsimmental 

For the second year running, Aberdeen-Angus and Aberdeen- 

Angus cross cattle have topped the BCMS registrations. With a 

total tally for 2022 of nearly 509 000, Aberdeen-Angus genetics 

accounted for 28.7% of all beef sired registrations in Great 

Britain, up from 27.1% in 2021. 

Whilst some of this growth has come from the use of Aberdeen- 

Angus genetics in the dairy industry, significant growth has 

also come from the suckler sector, demonstrating industry’s 

confidence in the breed and indeed brand. 

Society Membership also continues to grow, we would like to take 

this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to all new members. 

With sustainability becoming a core value for the end customer, 

having a breed that requires little intervention at birth, followed 

by a forage based diet not only matches that consumer value, 

it also contributes to a positive bottom line for you, the farmer. 

Calving interventions and cereals are high costs to farm 

businesses (feed is generally over 70% of all variable costs in a 

cattle operation) so all we can do to reduce this will help keep 

beef on the menu and cattle in the landscape. 

To find out more, please visit www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk 


Why modern suckler farmers need their own specialist female 

Dairymen have their Holstein-Friesians, delivering the intense 

focus on the traits that powerfully drive dairy farm profitability. 

Poultry and pig farmers work in the same way exclusively using 

genetics designed for their exacting requirements, and there are 

powerful reasons why professional suckled beef producers need 

an equally uncompromising approach to the genetics that drives 

their performance. Today there is one breed dedicated solely to 

the genetics of the suckler cow, the Salers, which are bred to be: 

Truly easy calving with calves that ‘get up and suck’ – Salers are 

known as “the calving champion of the major beef breeds” and 

with the tremendous growth and fleshing qualities of the modern 

terminal sires we need these special traits! 

Naturally milky – the modern suckler cow needs to be able to 

fuel the growth of the calf, regardless of the terminal sire you 

choose to use - the Salers has plentiful, high-quality milk, and 

a good udder – key to starting then maintaining calf growth 

performance. 

Fertile and robustness – Salers are fertile, calving at two and 

returning to service quickly, they are robust thriving on grass and 

able to utilise poorer quality ground effectively. 

Combining mothering ability with docility, ease of management 

– the modern Salers is selected to get the right balance between 

the mothering traits and docility, to deliver a cow that is easily 

managed in any system. 

Beef traits – the Salers is fast growing, has highly marbled flesh 

and great eating qualities – high quality beef is key to the future 

and what Salers are all about. 

We absolutely can take actions to put the economics of suckler 

farming back on track starting by getting the right tool for the 

job. The Salers offers a significant step forward by addressing 

the key performance traits of our engine of production - our 

cows. 




BRITISH WAGYU MOMENTUM BUILDS AT 250-STRONG CONFERENCE 

• Warrendale Wagyu Conference 17-18 May 2023, Telford, Shrops 

• Held in partnership with British Wagyu Association & Wyndford Wagyu 

• High-profile retailer, processor and farmer presence 

250 people attended a two-day conference in and around Telford, 

Shropshire 17-18 May as momentum for British Wagyu beef 

continues to build. Welcoming retailers, processors and a strong 

line-up of UK and international speakers as well as both current 

and prospective farmer partners, the event was staged by the East- 

Yorkshire family farming business, Warrendale Wagyu, who run a 

fully integrated Wagyu beef supply chain. 

After a Wagyu-themed lunch provided by Dovecote Park’s New 

Product Development team, Day One comprised four conference 

sessions. Setting the scene, Warrendale MD, Tom Richardson, 

went through their story so far before explaining where the 

business was going as Warrendale Wagyu moves towards 800 

farmers producing up to 1,000 cattle per week. 

Irene Breider & Neil Wharton from Genus then presented the 

results of the data sets they had collected for both maternal and 

terminal traits – these included calving surveys, bull proofs and 

carcase figures incorporating Meat Image Japan (MIJ) carcase 

camera technology. Nick Rose, Buying Director for Aldi UK, then 

updated the audience on the exciting journey to date, shared their 

successes and accolades, before turning to how they will continue 

to grow and deliver Aldi’s long-term ambitions with Warrendale. 

Session Two saw Matt McDonagh, CEO of the Australian Wagyu 

Association (AWA), bring delegates up-to-speed with Wagyu 

developments worldwide before exploring future opportunities for 

the UK to enhance the value of Wagyu. At its heart is the analysis 

of 14 key Wagyu production traits across 250,000 animals within 

a global evaluation. Angela Tant from Red Tractor then explained 

the numbers behind the Red Tractor logo and why so many 

consumers recognise and trust this flagship brand of British food 

and farming. 

In the third session, Wyndford Wagyu’s Commercial Director, 

Jess Edwards, gave delegates an insight into the growth of their 

400-head Fullblood Wyndford herd which was being developed in 

pursuit of elite herd status with lasting connections in the Wagyu 

world. 

An excellent Q&A session rounded of the formal programme. This 

was chaired by BWA Director, Chris Dickinson, with farmer and 

processor representatives comprising: Laurie Ibbotson (Commercial 

Director, Dovecote Park); Andrew Ward (Dairy - Littleton Farm, 

Dumfries & Galloway); Eddie Rixon (Grower - Lopemede Farm, 

Oxon) and Paul Metcalfe (Finisher - Gillingwood Hall, N Yorks). 

Rounding off the first day was a Drinks Reception sponsored by 

Oxbury Bank followed by a Gala Dinner with a main course of 

Wagyu tomahawk steaks provided by Aldi with wine sponsored 

jointly by Caisley and Genus. There followed the presentation of 

the inaugural British Wagyu Ambassador Award to the late Mike 

Tucker, founding Chairman of the BWA who passed away in 2018, 

and this was made by Michael Carpenter of Kelvin Cave Ltd to 

Mike’s son Andrew. After-dinner speaker was former England rugby 

international Simon Shaw MBE who talked about his sporting 

career dovetailing with his experiences in the beef industry and 

restaurant trade. 

The evening’s Charity Raffle and Silent Auction raised a combined 

£8,219 to jointly benefit the Farming Community Network (FCN) 

and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (Motor Neurone Disease). 

Day Two was spent at nearby Wyndford Wagyu with visitors able to 

experience first-hand the passion for producing top quality cattle, 

semen and embryos at this Fullblood herd with a sharp focus on 

accurate performance data collection and genomics. 

Addressing the conference, BWA Company Secretary, Richard 

Saunders said: “In the space of just a few short years, the British 

Wagyu industry has grown as we forge partnerships with some truly 

outstanding and pioneering organisations. Our future growth plans 

reflect the ambition of working with these world-leading partners 

to not only deliver a consistently great product to the consumer 

but also build trust, grow the British Wagyu brand and importantly 

earn a premium for everyone in the supply chain. Ultimately, it’s 

all about the product and this is what gives all of us here the 

confidence to invest in the bright future that is British Wagyu 

Beef.” 

Grateful thanks are extended to all the team at Warrendale Wagyu, 

Wyndford Wagyu and to all industry partners, sponsors and farmer 

partners for making the event such a success. 


The National Beef Association 

THE ONLY ORGANISATION 

FIGHTING TO PROTECT 

THE BEEF INDUSTRY. 

Join the NBA for just £85 per year. 


Tel: 01434 601005 Email: info@nationalbeefassociation.com Website: www.nationalbeefassociation.com 

Address: National Beef Association, Concorde House, 24 Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 5JG 

Mr T Davie, 

Director General, 

BBC 

10.04.21 

Dear Mr Davie, 

This week has seen the BBC stoop to new depths with their latest attempts to persuade the general 

public away from eating meat. It is one thing to influence adults, but quite another to attempt to 

direct children in a way that could be harmful to their health and growth, without providing them 

with both sides of a story. 

The new Blue Peter ‘green’ badge encourages children to be ‘environmentally friendly’ by adhering 

to three tasks; turn off lights, use less plastic and not to eat meat. This absolutely implies that eating 

meat is not an environmentally acceptable thing to do. Meat - of all origins, but especially red meat 

- is a valuable source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and is scientifically established to provide 

nutrients which are essential to development and growth of children. Many of these nutrients that 

are vital to a healthy food balance cannot be found naturally in any other food source. The Blue 

Peter remit appears to be to encourage children not to eat meat without giving any positive 

balanced view on the benefits of meat, either to their health, to local industry or to countryside 

management, or any negative view on how fruit, vegetables or other plant food - and their 

corresponding air miles - might impact the environment. It is incomprehensible that this type of 

programme should offer views which are at best unbalanced, and at worst irresponsible. Whilst we 

accept that the next generation needs to be more environmentally aware than the previous, it is 

wholly unacceptable that only one side of a story is presented in this campaign. 

Whilst we appreciate that the BBC has supported home schooling during the pandemic with 

educational programmes, we feel that in this instance you have failed miserably to provide adequate 

balance. 

Blue Peter’s attempts to influence the diet of young children away from these valuable food sources 

is a continuation of personal agendas by some journalists and programme makers within the Beef 

Bashing Corporation; agendas which are far from the views held by the average television licence 

payer in the UK, and do not represent the public interest. When you took your position last 

September, you made a commitment that the BBC would be activists for impartiality where bias has 

no place, and warned that staff who were partisan campaigners should not be working at the 

corporation. This is patently not the case. It appears that your organisation has a high degree of 

journalists with a personal food agenda, and the imbalance in reporting is plain for all to see. 

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you in person our concerns regarding a lack of 

impartiality within your environmental reporting and offer some ideas as to how these can be 

addressed in the future. After all, it is important to be guided by the truth, not a particular agenda. 

Yours sincerely, 

Neil Shand 

Chief Executive Officer, 


A Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registration No. 3678612. Registered Charity No. 1115366. VAT. 747 6388 83 

PROMOTING CATTLE 

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Beef fit for the future 

“We wanted a cow that would look after herself, 

calf unassisted but also produce high-quality 

animals for today’s market.” 

- Harry and George Gilbert, Harewood Angus, Herefordshire 

www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk T: 01738 622477 


Beef Breed Directory 

The 

British Limousin 

Cattle Society 

www.limousin.co.uk 

02476 696500 

www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 

Dairy Cottage, Tower Road, 

Ayton, Berwickshire TD14 5QX 

Tel: 01890 781358 Mob: 07592 139708 

Email: secretary@luingcattlesociety.co.uk 

BREEDING SALES 

February, May & October 

Limousin - the breed with the premium built in 

Fieldsman: Charles Symons 

T: 01573 440207 Mob: 07971 231885 

E: cjmsymons1@gmail.com 

PART OF FARMING’S FUTURE 

www.redrubydevon.co.uk 

WAGYU BREEDERS 

ASSOCIATION 

A LEAGUE OF 

ITS OWN 

EASY CALVING - DOCILE 

info@britishwagyu.co.uk 

www.britishwagyu.co.uk 

Unit 1, The Stable Yard, Woodhayes Farm, Honiton, Devon, EX14 4TP 

t: 01404 47863 e: dcbs@redrubydevon.co.uk 

Avenue M, 

Stoneleigh Park, 

Kenilworth, 

Warwickshire. CV8 2RG 

Tel: 02476 697222 

Email: 

charolais@charolais.co.uk 

www.charolais.co.uk 

THE 

ULTIMATE 

SUCKLER 

COW 

01377 227 790 

info@stabiliser.co.uk 

www.stabiliser.co.uk 

nba 34 x 68 mm 2023 v2.indd 08/03/2023 1 

13:25:42 

SIMMENTAL 

THE BREED YOU CAN BANK ON 

SUSSEX CATTLE 

SOCIETY 

Tel: 01580 880105 

www.sussexcattlesociety.org.uk 

THE BRITISH BLUE 

CATTLE SOCIETY 

Holme House 

The Dale, Ainstable 

Carlisle,Cumbria CA4 9RH 

01768 870522 

info@britishbluecattle.org 

SETTING THE 

STANDARD 

www.britishbluecattle.org 

British Bazadaise 

Cattle Society 

01666 860470 

enquiry@bazadaise.co.uk 

GET MORE MEAT 

MORE MUSCLE 

AND MORE PROFIT 

WITH EASY CALVING 

EASY CARE 

BAZADAISE CATTLE 

www.bazadaise.org.uk 

PROFIT THROUGH 

EFFICIENCY 

MATERNAL MAINSTAYS 

OF THE SUCKLER HERD 

*SIMMENTAL = NO.1 

CONTINENTAL BREED 

FOR AGE AT SLAUGHTER 

* NATIONAL BEEF EVALUATION DECEMBER 2022 

THE BRITISH SIMMENTAL CATTLE SOCIETY 

+44 (0) 2476 696513 

information@britishsimmental.co.uk 

www.britishsimmental.co.uk 

34 The National Beef Association Magazine | SUMMER 2023 

NBA Breed Directory (34x68.5mm) Spring.indd 08/03/2023 1 

09:25:00

MELTON MOWBRAY MULTIBREED SALE – 27 MARCH 2021 

WELSHPOOL SPRING SALE – 20 MAY 2021 

Beef Breed Directory 

SALERS 

MATERNAL 

MAGIC 

The Hereford does it all 

THE BRITISH PIEMONTESE 

CATTLE SOCIETY LTD 

33 EDEN GRANGE, LITTLE CORBY 

CARLISLE CA4 8QW 

LOOKING FOR PIEMONTESE 

CONTACT CRAIG MATKIN 

TEL: 07876 613221 

TEL: 01773 550346 

ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES TO 

CRAIG CULLEY 

TEL: 01228 562946 

secretary@piemontese.info 

www.piemontese.org.uk 

BELTED 

GALLOWAY 

CATTLE SOCIETY 

01896 820148 

info@beltedgalloways.co.uk 

www.beltedgalloways.co.uk 

FLOURISH WALLS HOUSE 

GREENLAW, DUNS 

BERWICKSHIRE, TD10 6XW 

SUITS ANY SIRE 

& 

SUITS ANY SYSTEM 

SALERS CATTLE SOCIETY OF THE UK 

Jasmine Cottage, Gavinton, TD11 3QP 

secretary@salers.uk 

07903 626249 

WWW.SALERS.UK 

Visit www.herefordcattle.org to find out more 

01432 272057 

GRAZING SYSTEMS | BEEF QUALITY 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES 

Gascon 

Cattle 

Society 

Breed Secretary: 

Pauline Milton 

07787722497 

gasconcattle@btconnect 

.com 

The Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society 

Society Pavilion, Avenue M, 

Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, CV8 2RG 

www.britishwhitecattle.co.uk 

01954 232796 | 07771 333303 

www.gascon.org.uk 

A versatile hardy suckler 

breed 

t: 02475 099146 

e: info@beefshorthorn.org 

www.beefshorthorn.org 

www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk 

01738 622477 

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen 

Stirling Agricultural Centre 

Stirling FK9 4RN 

Tel: 01786 446866 

info@highlandcattlesociety.com 

www.highlandcattlesociety.com 

Aberdeen-Angus, its more than a breed, it’s a brand. 

The perfect 

suckler cow 

w w w . r e d p o l l . o r g 

( 01245 600032 

secretary@redpoll.co.uk 


Industry News 

Weaning, Growing, Finishing 

By Adam Clay, NWF Head of Technical 

With margins on beef systems under pressure, efficiencies of production 

are as important as ever, where specific points of growth can have 

significant impacts on farm profit. 

Weaning 

From suckler 

herds to beef 

from dairy 

systems, the UK 

has a versatile 

and adaptable 

beef industry 

where when to 

wean and what 

to feed will differ 

from farm to 

farm. 

Adam Clay NWF 

Head of Technical. 

Suckler Herd 

For suckler units, time of weaning is a 

decision based on feed supply and cow 

condition and can typically differ from 6 to 

10 months of age. 

By 200 days old (6 and half months) the 

majority of nutrient inputs will be from solid 

feeds rather than milk. Feeding the calf 

directly will be more efficient than feeding 

the cow to produce decreasing litres of milk. 

Weaning can be a useful way of 

manipulating cow body condition. For over 

conditioned cows, delayed weaning can be 

a way to help reduce body condition and 

conversely, if cows are thin; calves should be 

weaned sooner rather than later. 

After weaning and depending on forage 

availability and quality, calves could benefit 

from a compound feed or blend. Introducing 

this carefully is key, not only to maximise 

intakes and drive growth but to do so 

without risking a transition shock. 

*Weaning is a stressful period, changing one 

thing at a time is recommended to manage 

this and reduce growth checks. 

Beef from Dairy 

From a couple of days old, calves should be 

offered a compound whilst on milk or milk 

replacer to help rumen development and to 

entice the calves to “nibble”, ready for when 

they are weaned. A key thing to remember 

for these type of calves is that they will 

be weaned significantly earlier than their 

suckler counterparts. 

Calves should be eating a minimum of 

1.5kg for 3 consecutive days before starting 

to be weaned, then over a two-week period 

calves should be fully weaned and eating 

2.5-3kg of compound or blend. Below is a 

typical feed graph, highlighting the increase 

in solid feed during the weaning process. 

Feeding and weaning schedule 

Growing 

Up until approximately 400kg liveweight 

or 9 – 10 months of age (depending on 

system, breed and sex), animals require a 

specific diet focused on developing frame 

and depth. The growing diet should have 

structural fibre to ensure good rumen health 

and avoid excessive levels of starch at this 

stage. If a grower ration is high in starch 

it can lead to unwanted fat deposition 

which can attract deductions at killing 

out and make it unlikely to hit desired 

specification at market. Once hitting weights 

of approximately 400kg or 90 days before 

market, it is time to move to a “finishing” 

diet! 

Growing diet nutrient requirements 

Nutrient in total ration 

Dry matter intakes 

(DMI) 

Guideline 

2.3% of 

liveweight 

Target DLWG (kgs) 0.8-1.2 

Energy (MJ ME/kg 

DM) 

10.5-11.5 

Protein (%) 15-17 

Starch and sugar (%) Under 20 

*REMEMBER FIBRE- (NDF) should be over 

40% of the total ration. 

Genetics, health status and the environment 

the animal is in will also influence overall 

performance. It is important to liaise with 

your vet to ensure a herd health plan 

is fit for purpose as well as the housing 

and infrastructure which the animals are 

exposed to. 

Finishing 

Although the way we finish beef animals 

can vary, feeding finishing cattle within a 

short period of time for maximum liveweight 

gain to meet market specification remains 

the same aim for most producers. A well 

balanced and consistent diet can help finish 

animals quicker which can ultimately save 

money (from feed, time and labour)! 

Typical finisher guidelines are: 

• Reduce the protein level from a growing 

diet to 12-15% crude protein. 

• Increase the starch levels to promote 

fast weight gain and effective feed 

conversion. (especially in animals 

which are hard to flesh). Target starch 

and sugars of 35 – 45% using a blend 

of sources such as Ultra Starch-W to 

manage rumen health. 

• Fibre is important (they are ruminants!) 

A minimum of 10% of their dry matter 

intake should be from straw/forage. If 

forage is used other than straw, ensure 

its dry to provide physical structure in the 

rumen. 

For information on beef feeding systems 

please contact NWF Agriculture on 0800 

756 2787. 

www.nwfagriculture.co.uk 


Beef Feeding 

Solutions 

NWF supply a comprehensive range 

of beef feeds and associated products 

supported with technical advice. 

NWF Beef Feed Range 

COMPOUNDS 

NWF offer a comprehensive 

range of compounds from 

weaning to finishing to suit 

all systems. 

Manufactured 

at our UFAS 

production sites 

in Cheshire, 

Cumbria and, 

Devon 

BLENDS 

A comprehensive range of 

standard and bespoke blends 

to suit all systems. 

FAR REGISTERED 

All NWF Sales Specialists are 

registered feed advisers with 

the Feed Adviser Register (FAR). 

NWF Agriculture also supply: 

• Milk Replacers 

• Rumen Paks, Yeasts, Buffers and Supplements 

• Grass Seed, Silage Additives and Fertiliser 

• Mineral buckets as 20kg or 80kg, and UltraMin 

powdered mineral range available in 25kg bags 

Get in touch for beef feed, associated products and expertise 

0800 756 2787 

www.nwfagriculture.co.uk

NBA Membership 


Membership 

WHO ARE THE NBA? 

The NBA is a charity, set up by beef farmers, for beef farmers. We 

exist to express the views of real farmers to politicians to ensure 

they are understood and represented in policy. Over the years we 

have fought against unfair trading practises, advised Government on 

disease management policies and now are working hard to ensure 

beef farmers have a future post Brexit. 

MEMBERS BENEFITS 

Members receive a weekly e-newsletter, which includes the latest 

market information and NBA and industry news. We also produce 

a quarterly magazine for our membership including beef research, 

policy positions and health articles. Our members have access to 

our breeding terms and conditions of sale FOC, a step by step guide 

to selling breeding animals. 

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US? 

Without the support of fellow farmers we wouldn’t be able to carry 

out our work on behalf of the industry. The 

NBA is also great for networking and sharing 

knowledge. Members have the chance to join 

regional committees which feed into our policy 

strategies and we run many industry farm walks, 

meetings and trips across the UK which are 

discounted or free for our membership. 

FROM 

£40 

PER YEAR 

Corporate Membership 

THE 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Standard subscription: £75.00 + VAT 

(£25 zero rated, £50 taxable at 20%) 

Under 26/student subscription: £40.00 

For more information call NBA head office on 01434 

601005 or email info@nationalbeefassociation.com. 

Visit our website to join today. 

NBA IS GRATEFUL TO THE 

FOLLOWING COMPANIES AND 

ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT. 

FROM 

£300+VAT 

PER YEAR 

For more information on Corporate Membership packages from NBA, please call 01434 601005 or email info@nationalbeefassociation.com 

GOLD MEMBERS 

CORPORATE MEMBERS 

SHEARWELL DATA 

Animal identification systems: 

excellent cattle and sheep tags, 

comprehensive on-farm software and 

full management systems using EID. 

www.shearwell.co.uk 

FOR FARMERS 

We supply a range of feedstuffs that 

cater to both traditional and the 

more technically minded farmers 

and producers. 

www.forfarmers.co.uk 

MOLE VALLEY 

All your technical advice and products 

to maximise the individual beef 

enterprise profits. 

www.molevalleyfarmers.com 

ALLFLEX 

The Allflex Group is a World Leader in 

the design, manufacture, and delivery 

of animal identification technology. 

www.allflex.co.uk 

SAI GLOBAL ASSURANCE 

SERVICES LTD is the oldest and 

most established farm assurance 

provider originally set up to inspect the 

FABBL Scheme in the 90’s. Farmers 

trust in SAI Global’s experts for whole 

farm assurance including Red Tractor, 

GlobalGAP, LEAF Marque and retailer 

specific inspection programmes. 

saiassurance.co.uk 

Agri-Lloyd International Limited 

www.agrilloyd.com 

Boehringer Ingelheim 

www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk 

KW Feeds 

www.kwfeeds.co.uk 

Sell My Livestock 

www.sellmylivestock.co.uk 

AHDB Meat Services 

www.beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk 

C & D Auction Marts Limited 

www.cdauctionmarts.co.uk 

Livestock Lounge 

www.livestocklounge.com 

Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart Ltd 

www.thirskmarket.co.uk 

ANM Group Ltd 

www.anmgroup.co.uk 

Craven Cattle Marts Limited 

www.ccmauctions.com 

McCartneys 

www.mccartneys.co.uk 

Tudor, Lawson, Dallimore & Parry 

www.dolgellauvets.co.uk 

B.I.G Ltd 

www.bigbeef.co.uk 

Frome Livestock Auctioneers Ltd 

www.fromelivestock.com 

Meadow Quality Ltd 

www.meadowq.co.uk 

Berrystock Feeds 

www.berrystockfeeds.co.uk 

Harrison & Hetherington 

www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk 

NWF Agriculture 

www.nwfagriculture.co.uk 

Bishopton Veterinary Group 

www.bishoptonvets.co.uk 

Hexham & Northern Marts 

www.hexhammart.co.uk 

Rumenco 

www.rumenco.co.uk 


# 

NBA Membership 

Join the 

NBA 

Today 

Application Form 

OR JOIN NOW ONLINE 

Visit www.nationalbeefassociation.com/about/how-to-join today and help 

us make sure your industry’s future is secure. Alternately, fill out the form 

below and return to us via post. 

NAME: 

ADDRESS: 

POSTCODE: 

PHONE NUMBER: 

EMAIL ADDRESS: 

**If you would like to voluntarily over-pay on your subscription; please enter the amount below or tick the appropriate box. 

Annual subscription £75 + VAT (£25 zero rated, £50 taxable at 20%) Voluntary subscription of £ Under 26* £40 

*Members under 26 years old - please provide your date of birth: D D M M Y Y 

METHODS OF PAYMENT: 

CREDIT CARD 

Card Type: 

Name on Card: 

Card Number: Start Date: M M Y Y Expiry Date: 

Security Code: (last 3 digits on reverse of card) 

Issue No. (Maestro Only) 

M M Y Y 

CHEQUE 

Made payable to the National Beef Association. 

STANDING ORDER 

To Bank plc: 

Address: 

Please pay Lloyds Bank plc, Malvern, WR14 4QG. Sort code: 30-95-41 Account No: 23358760 For the credit of the National Beef Association 

The sum of: (circle selected amount) £75 + VAT Voluntary amount £ Under 26* £40 

Commencing: Immediately and annually thereafter, until further notice. PLEASE QUOTE PAYMENT REFERENCE: 

Please cancel any previous Standing Order in favour of the beneficiary named above, under this reference. 

Membership No: (For internal use) 

Name of Account: Sort Code: Account No: 

SIGNED: 

DATE: 

The NBA complies fully with the General Data Protection Regulation. Please see our privacy policy for more details, which can be requested from the NBA Head Office. For any queries or 

concerns regarding GDPR, please write to: Data Protection at National Beef Association, Concorde House, 24 Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5JG 

Please use Gift Aid to make your subscription worth more to NBA. For every pound you give us, we could earn an extra 25p 

from the Inland Revenue. Gift Aid Declaration: I want the National Beef Association to treat all subscriptions I make from the date of 

this declaration until I notify you otherwise as a Gift Aid donation. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/ 

or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. 

TO GIFT AID PLEASE TICK HERE 

Please return this form to: National Beef Association, Concorde House, 24 Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5JG

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