The annual British Cattle Breeding Conference kicked off on Tuesday morning in Telford with a full day’s line-up of speakers on all things beef cattle.

The first morning session heard from a number of speakers, including a retailer, a processor and a livestock auctioneer.

Like the Irish suckler herd, the UK suckler herd has some real challenges in terms of maintaining numbers and encouraging the next generation of farmers into suckler systems.

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Worryingly, while a huge amount of work has been completed for integrated supply chains on the dairy-beef side of the supply chain, very little work appears to have taken place on the suckler supply chain side.

A number of questions from the audience pointed to genuine concerns around the future of the UK suckler cow.

Injection of confidence needed

There were a number of views from the audience that there wasn’t enough being done for suckler farmers and that some injection of confidence was needed in the suckler sector to stop the terminal decline in suckler numbers.

A number of members of the audience thought that suckler systems integrated with tillage systems offers the best chance of suckler systems surviving through regenerative farming practices.

There was a debate around whose job that was. Is it a processor's job, a retailer’s job or someone else’s job to come up with a plan?

Head of agriculture with Dunbia Sarah Haire commented on suckler beef and the challenges that lie within suckler systems: “The challenge that we have with the suckler herd is consistency. Beef is beef, it doesn’t matter whether it comes from the dairy herd or suckler herd.”

Supply chain

Speaking at the conference, head of livestock with Sainsburys Henry Blain spoke about the importance of security of supply and having a long-term plan for their beef supply chain. He outlined how Sainsburys, in conjunction with ABP, have worked together to develop their own system.

'Gamechanger' is the title for their integrated supply chain, which includes a partnership with Oxbury bank, offering finance for cattle.

In 2012, Sainsburys embarked on its first integrated supply chain with an aim of processing 3,500 cattle, which fed into a six-month trial at its butchery counters.

The integrated supply chain resulted in a reduction in customer complaints at butchery counters and general good feedback on the eating quality of the beef that they purchased. Market research points to more people purchasing more beef, with repeat custom increased.

Sainsburys partnered with ABP, along with a number of genetics companies to deliver the programme. The data-led programme now feeds end-to-end supply chain data to all members who are working in the supply chain.

The programme has delivered for farmers. The number of animals being brought through the integrated programme has doubled in the last two years.

“Some of the genetics being used has reduced slaughter age by 65 days, while improving carcass weights,” Blain said.

This has resulted in a 25% reduction in the carbon footprint of the beef on their shelves. Sainsburys run a number of low carbon lines of beef that are performing well at retail level.

Speaking on how the beef industry can move forward, he said it was better sharing of information through the supply chain, working collaboratively together and making sure everybody is going after the same things.