Opportunities Open up For Beef from UK Dairy Herd
UK - Dairy farmers in the north-east of England are being urged to consider going into beef production.
28 August 2009
1 minute read
The NFU’s North East livestock and dairy boards will be holding a joint meeting next month to look at the potential for producing more beef from the dairy herd.
NEBusiness reports that although dairy breeding has become increasingly specialised, more relationships are being developed between dairy farmers and beef finishers to maximise output.
Regional dairy board chairman, Glaisdale farmer Martin Burtt, said that as many as 50 per cent of beef now comes from the dairy sector as the size of national suckler herd has reduced.
He said: “For obvious reasons most dairy producers are focused 100 per cent on milk production but increasingly, there is an opportunity to increase profitability by capitalising on the value of the beef market.
“This meeting is designed to explore the options in a very practical way and I hope our regional dairy and livestock members will be open to a bit of different thinking.”
A beef finisher will tell members about his rearing techniques and the meeting will also discuss the need to balance milk production with achieving a more beef-orientated calf.
The event is open to all NFU members. It will take place on 8 September 8 at Roecliffe near Boroughbridge from 19:30.
TheCattleSite News Desk
