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Marketing of suckler bred beef from NI
Ulster Farmers’ Union beef and lamb chair, Sam Chesney, has called on the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) and Invest NI, to do more to market beef from the suckler herd.
“NI beef is sold on the back of the suckler image of hearty-looking cattle, grazing lush, green fields.
"However, suckler farmers don’t gain when it comes to this marketing. The quality of their beef is second-to-none and producers should be paid accordingly,” said Chesney.
He also pointed out that the extensive nature of suckler beef brings multiple benefits, including management of habitats, and that grassland is important when it comes to carbon sequestration.
“As an industry we need to ask whether we want sucklers. If we do, then we must come up with radical ideas to encourage consumers to recognise what it offers and to improve the depressing profitability statistics,” he said.
Firm trade at suckler dispersal
A special clearance sale of 70 in-calf suckler cows for David and Matthew Brownlee, Loughgall, went under the hammer on Thursday of last week at Markethill Mart, with all lots selling to an average of £1,370.
Attracting strong buying interest, in-calf cows sold to a top price of £1,850 for a Belgian Blue animal, followed by other exceptional lots making £1,800, £1,700 and £1,650.
A Hereford bull, used as the herd stock sire, sold to £1,700. The Brownlees have converted to dairying.
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