Simon Fryar Commercial Manager

Annually we market;- 30,000 clean and cull cattle 35,000 baby and reared calves 60,000 ewes & lambs 500,000 pigs Critical mass is important, but so too is effective representation on behalf of our producers

The Brief To take the OFC global observations of the world beef market, filter them through the simple, humble mind of an Herefordian livestock man; …….And suggest how it might impact on beef producers here in the UK!

So, not much to report on from the Oxford Farming Conference for beef producers then? Well – yes, actually! It raise questions on how we produce beef going forward.

Just Some of the Challenges;- Depleting natural energy resource Rising energy costs Reliance on cereals for energy production Increasing fertiliser costs Rising land values Restrictive livestock movement legislation With that volatility, comes vulnerability

Benefits of Collaboration in Practice Reduced carbon footprint. Increased cattle numbers. (+50%) Reduced expensive inputs. Increased carcase yield. (+14%) Reduced production period. (- 42 days) Increased profitability. (circa £250/hd)

TB Controls – The Big Challenge! A Two-tier market – not good for the beef industry; It is divisive. It is unfair. And it is not sustainable.

Specialist TB Sales Loss of A. Q. U.’s. Approved Rearing Unit. (ARU’s). Approved Feeding Unit. (AFU’s).

TB Cases England and Wales widely affected. We need to be in this together!