Scottish Organic Beef, Lamb and Grain Output for 2006-2007
UK - The production of organic beef, lamb and grain in Scotland has increased compared with a year ago, reflecting the buoyant market situation in the Scottish organic sector.
10 January 2007
2 minute read
Between July 2006 and June 2007, organic producers in Scotland will produce approximately 5,900 head of finished organic cattle (an increase of 21% compared to the previous year), 90,400 prime organic lambs (an increase of 8%) and approximately 21,000 tonnes of organic grains and pulses (an increase of 22%).
These are just some of the findings of the annual survey of organic producers in Scotland undertaken as part of the SAC Organic Market Link (OML) project. 87% of organic producers in Scotland were accounted for in the 2006-07 survey, the third year it has taken place, and which estimates the annual output of prime stock, store stock and grain and pulses.
The numbers of store stock have also increased slightly with approximately 3,500 store cattle and/or weaned calves (up from 3,000) and 25,400 store lambs (up from 21,100).
SAC Organic Market Link Coordinator, Caroline Bayliss, points out the benefits of this information to organic producers, processors and marketing outlets,
“Information gathered through the OML survey has allowed direct farmer to farmer trading for grains, pulses and store stock to develop. It has demonstrated continuity of supply and has given confidence now to three of Scotland’s volume processors to get their beef lines up and running in Scotland. Supply information is fundamental for processors and multiple retailers when deciding to turn on new market outlets for Scottish organic producers. In addition, the results have also provided pointers to organic producers in terms of making production decisions.
"It is very pleasing to see this increase in production, but we have a long way to go to satisfy market requirements, particularly for beef and grain where we could probably double the current level of production and still not satisfy market demand. It is also pleasing to see a slight shift in the seasonal production pattern for lamb.
"Although September, October and November are still the months with highest production, producers have clearly made an effort to finish more lamb in late winter/spring to fill this period of supply shortage, something that we have been encouraging them to do.
“We are very grateful for the continued cooperation of producers in undertaking the survey.”
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