25 October 2011

2 minute read

Europe

Figures gathered from 240 beef and 178 sheep enterprises for the annual EBLEX benchmarking survey showed lower calf deaths, fewer barren cows, more calves and lambs reared, and fewer lamb deaths compared to previous years across most of the beef and sheep enterprises recorded by EBLEX.

This has helped overall net margins before non-cash costs for average and top third beef and sheep meat producers improve throughout 2011 despite a background of rising costs, according to year-to-date figures included in Business Pointers alongside the full year statistics to March 2011,. However, the gulf between the top and bottom third performers appears to be growing.

It is only the second year that year-to-date figures have been included, covering April to September 2011, to give as up-to-date a picture as possible alongside the annual costings, and these show a brightening picture for the beef sector while sheep production continues to enjoy a renaissance.

“Higher output prices are helping a resurgence in the beef and sheep meat sector which is reflected in the year-to-date figures contained in the report,” said Mark Topliff, senior analyst for EBLEX.

“The full year figures to March 2011 also show positive margins for top third beef and sheep enterprises after cash costs are taken into account, and physical performance is improved, showing farmers are looking at their business practices and taking on board technical messages to further improve animal husbandry.

“Business Pointers is an important annual benchmarking tool. The figures remain useful to every beef and lamb farmer in England in terms of comparing their own annual costs, however, the year-to-date figures add an additional dimension and these do reflect the improving environment for our producers.

“For the first time this year, we will continue to update these figures monthly on our website to ensure we have a living document to complement the hard copy of Business Pointers which can be used as an on-farm reference guide for the year ahead.”

Hard copies of Business Pointers will be distributed to members of the Better Returns Programme in the autumn mailing and included in delegate packs at the EBLEX annual conference on 2 November.

If you wish to request a free copy, email [email protected] Alternatively, you can download the pdf or view individual costings pages at http://www.eblex.org.uk/returns/businesspointers11.aspx