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Beefin’ about Brazilian Beef

FARMERS ARE REVOLTING !  Now this is nothing to do with what we’re usually covered in or how badly we smell, the latest revolt has been about poor beef prices throughout the summer.  A number of factors have been responsible for this: increased slaughter of cattle, a fall in consumption and cheaper imports coming in from Brazil.  The most annoying of these for farmers has been to see this cheap, inferior quality Brazilian beef for sale in supermarkets across the country. 

During August, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) collected samples of meat from supermarkets. Testing showed that this meat was found to come from the Bos Indicus species of cattle.  This species of cattle have been scientifically proven to be of a poorer eating quality.  As producers of top quality beef, Scottish farmers - and our promotional body QMS - are worried that if people buy this inferior quality meet and have a bad eating experience, they will not be return as buyers of beef of any type. 

Consumers must check the labelling very carefully to ensure they know what they are buying.  Farmers have been working hard to keep the public better informed by handing out leaflets to shoppers at a number of supermarkets, which have been stocking Brazilian beef.

Protectionist Measures 

In this country we are governed by a strict set of rules, which forbids us from obstructing trade in any way.  This means that, unlike our French counterparts who have been known to set fire to truckloads of produce from other countries, we have to keep within the law when protesting.  Organisations such as the National Farmers Union of Scotland can have their assets seized and officials jailed if they are found guilty of obstructing fair trade.

Some of the supermarkets have withdrawn the Brazilian beef from their shelves, but the damage has already been done.  The poor prices for cattle slaughtered throughout the summer are sure to have a knock-on effect as we go into the busy autumn sale period.

Harvest time

On a brighter note, late August – early September weather has been ideal for Harvest.  Combines and balers have been in action in many fields in Highland Perthshire.  Hopefully the good weather will continue as no one wants to use expensive diesel of gas to dry the grain for sale or safe storage.  Most of the combines in Highland Perthshire are second or third hand, older machines, which usually manage to cope with the smaller acreages grown. 

Large cereal growers in the market for a new combine for the 2006 season may be interested in the latest offering from German machinery manufacturer CLAAS.  The CLAAS Lexion 600 has a 30ft cutter bar, tracks instead of wheel to cut compaction on wet fields, a 586bhp V8 Mercedes engine and a price tag of £314,900. 

Only the largest of cereal growers will be interested in what is claimed to be the highest capacity combine harvester in the world.  Cereal prices are currently around £65-£70/tonne with little prospect of a rise any time soon. 

I’m sure that there will be plenty sharp-suited combine salesmen at next year’s agricultural shows, offering great trade-in deals and five year finance packages.  Who knows, some of the Highland Perthshire cereal growers might even be able to afford one of the trade-ins!

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