Markets Focus for Angus Monitor Farm Meeting

The next Angus Monitor Farm meeting on Thursday 28 February will focus on what the domestic and international markets hold for both grain and livestock.

Stuart Ashworth from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will cover the red meat market, looking at where Scottish produce is exported around the globe and discuss the main market drivers for price and demand. He will also share his thoughts on how Brexit will affect Scottish red meat production and the business challenges facing the Scottish beef and sheep sector.

The UK and world grain markets will be covered by Julian Bell from SAC Consulting. His focus will be on the supply and demand of cereals and oilseeds domestically as well as outlining the UK’s place in the world market. Growers can expect to hear about grain harvests across the world, current stock levels and the potential for greater spring barley demand in Scotland thanks to new distilleries opening.

Project facilitator Zach Reilly explains: “The community group made it clear that they wanted to better understand the market drivers for both red meat and cereals so it’s great to have two experts on hand to take them through all the ins and outs.

“We will also be sharing some of the farm’s business figures which have been analysed as part of the Monitor Farm programme, using AHDB’s Farmbench programme. We have used the figures as a baseline to target changes at the Mill of Inverarity, looking at areas which are working well, and those which could be improved, as well as discussing how the farm performed financially given the dry weather and reduced yields.”

Mill of Inverarity is part of the Monitor Farm Scotland initiative, managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government. The aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.

The meeting will be held at Forfar Auction Mart, starting at 10.30am and closing at 2pm. The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided so to assist with catering attendees should book a place by phoning SAC Consulting’s Stonehaven office (01569 762305) or emailing zach.reilly@sac.co.uk.

For more information about the monitor farm programme visit www.monitorfarms.co.uk