In a year with weather like this, we must ensure that we do not lose a domestic supply of feed for our livestock. While Scottish farmers might have lost barley dark grains from the market, they should not lose the draff and pot ale. The Scottish whisky sector is integrated into the rural economy and plays a key part in the agriculture industry. This partnership has been developed over generations and need to continue for the long term. Therefore, the product which used to go into dark grains needs to be ring fenced for agricultural use.

Cutting off the supply too sharply will have a disproportionally negative impact on the animal feed market. We need to work together to ensure that distilleries get the by product away timeously and farmers continue to get access to high-quality domestic feed. With Brexit approaching the last thing we need is to start importing animal feed.

Agricultural champions need to hear from you

I encourage everyone who gets a chance to let the agricultural champions know what should be in their report. These reports may feel like they are written to gather dust, but I know that it can wield serious impact in the corridors of power, as bureaucrats look to target support and set rules.

As Odile Evans reports on page 12, the champions have set out six themes for their strategy, and few could argue with their direction. But so far it’s the easy part, gathering together the general feeling on the industry. The real challenge will be setting out the detail and, critically, the targets. There must be clear goals which can be measured against if this report is to have a serious affect.

I see no reason why the talent gathered among the champions won’t be able to achieve this. We all need to ensure it represents the wider industry. So if you get the opportunity, make your voice herd. As the famous saying goes, the future is decided by those who turn up.

Christmas roasts are vital for the cattle sector

Many people look to the US beef grading system with envy, with their marbling scale and perceived better steaks. However, what they fail to recognise is that the US has a very limited market for roasting cuts. Thanks to our love affair with the roast, we manage to increase the value of our carcase. Roasts add significantly more value to a carcase than one used for just mince, stews and steaks.

At Christmas the value of this market is thrown into sharp relief. While beef sales are up 9% volume overall, roasts are up 93%. This drives more value into the beef sector. We can see the ‘roast effect’ in the recent uplift in farmgate prices, as abattoirs work to fill their chiller for the holiday season. I would argue that not only has the roast helped increase the value of our carcase, but also played a part in improving our cattle. When our continental cousins employ an arsenal of culinary techniques and sauces, the great British roast beef must speak for itself. This leaves our beef with nowhere to hide and the consumer patently aware if it doesn’t come up to scratch.

Speaking to an Italian beef buyer recently, he went at length to explain how the Italians are starting to learn more about quality beef and that our consumers were ahead.

Quite a compliment from a nation which has its own restaurants in nearly every town in the world.

Weather benefit

It never ceases to amaze me the reliance and positivity of food producers. This week while discussing the challenges of the recent rainfall, one cheery farmer replied: “Well at least it makes it easier to find the drains needing repairs.”