Farmers encouraged to sign up for QMS "Meat the Market" workshops to boost livestock returns

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is delighted to announce a series of "Meat the Market" workshops designed to provide farmers with essential knowledge on carcass grading, market specifications, and customer requirements. These workshops will take place at leading processing facilities across Scotland and will include processing plant tours, expert speakers, and hands-on sessions aimed at helping farmers improve the quality and profitability of their livestock.

The workshops will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, 17 September 2024 – Beef Workshop at Dunbia Highland Meats, Saltcoats, starting at 9:30am
• Tuesday, 15 October 2024 – Beef & Lamb Workshop at John M Munro Ltd, Dingwall, followed by a visit to Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd starting at 10:00am
• Wednesday, 16 October 2024 – Lamb Workshop at Morrisons Woodhead Brothers, Turriff, starting at 8:30am
• Wednesday, 16 October 2024 – Beef Workshop at Morrisons Woodhead Brothers, Turriff, starting at 12:30pm

Farmers attending the workshops will have the opportunity to visually grade cattle and lambs before slaughter, then view the resulting carcasses for comparison. This hands-on experience will help participants better understand how their livestock is graded, allowing them to maximise their returns by meeting market demands. Attendees will receive expert guidance on market specifications, carcass presentation, and how to minimise the risk of carcass downgrades.

Speakers at the events include George Allan, Divisional Manager at Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Ltd (MLCSL), and Adrian Crowe, an industry specialist. Both experts will provide insights into market requirements and help farmers understand how to present animals that meet the needs of buyers.

Lesley Mitchell, Industry Development Coordinator at QMS, highlighted the importance of these workshops, stating:

“To maximise returns, it is important to present clean animals that fit the required end-user specification in terms of conformation and fat cover. The workshops provide a unique opportunity for farmers to engage directly with buyers and processors, gaining insight into market trends and specific customer requirements. This exchange helps farmers make informed decisions about finishing their livestock, potentially reducing the risk of carcass downgrades and maximising profit margins.”

Louise Urquhart, a farmer from Milton of Auchinhove near Banchory, shared her experience from attending previous workshops:

"At the workshop, we talked with buyers to find out exactly what kind of carcass they're looking for. We also handled live lambs to understand how they're graded before slaughter and followed the lambs and cattle through the slaughter process to see how accurate the grading was. I would encourage any farmers who haven't attended to consider attending—it really helps you join up the dots."

Each event will last around four hours, with refreshments provided. Places are limited, so booking is essential. Attendees must be over 18 years of age and provide photo ID.

Booking links for each location are available as follows:

• Saltcoats - Book Here
• Dingwall - Book Here
• Turriff (Lamb) - Book Here
• Turriff (Beef) - Book Here

Further workshops are planned for later in the year and will be announced soon, providing even more farmers across Scotland with the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and guidance on maximising livestock profitability.

For more information, please contact QMS at info@qmscotland.co.uk or visit the QMS website.