During the IFA National Livestock Committee’s visit to England this week, factories imposing strict specifications on carcase weights, number of farm residencies and age were recurring themes.
The IFA visited suppliers of ABP and Woodheads who confirmed that they have been advised to reduce weight limits from 460kg in Woodheads to 430kg.
ABP has recently introduced the VIA grading system, the same as has been in place on the island of Ireland, and is now paying on the 15pt scale.
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Elsewhere, Dunbia, which was reported as being more relaxed on the number of farm residencies, is now understood to be enforcing a strict limit of three farms during the entire life of the animal. Marts in England are reported to be resisting requests for supplying this information in cattle sales, which was the way for a long period in Northern Ireland when factories there implemented strict carcase specifications in early 2014.
Unlike Ireland, England still has a significant number of small abattoirs serving the massive local trade. In there it is believed there is a much more relaxed position on the specification issues that are driven by the large supermarkets and food service burger chains.
See page 12.
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During the IFA National Livestock Committee’s visit to England this week, factories imposing strict specifications on carcase weights, number of farm residencies and age were recurring themes.
The IFA visited suppliers of ABP and Woodheads who confirmed that they have been advised to reduce weight limits from 460kg in Woodheads to 430kg.
ABP has recently introduced the VIA grading system, the same as has been in place on the island of Ireland, and is now paying on the 15pt scale.
Elsewhere, Dunbia, which was reported as being more relaxed on the number of farm residencies, is now understood to be enforcing a strict limit of three farms during the entire life of the animal. Marts in England are reported to be resisting requests for supplying this information in cattle sales, which was the way for a long period in Northern Ireland when factories there implemented strict carcase specifications in early 2014.
Unlike Ireland, England still has a significant number of small abattoirs serving the massive local trade. In there it is believed there is a much more relaxed position on the specification issues that are driven by the large supermarkets and food service burger chains.
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