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"Strength through Co-operation"
May 2015
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
20 years in the trade
On 28
th
November
Spring Newsletter
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
1995, Farm Stock
(Scotland) Ltd was created
with the union of
Buccleuch Farmers and
Scott Country Lamb into a
Federal Co-operative
Organisation.
Although Buccleuch
Farmers has since dissolved, Farm Stock
(Scotland) Ltd has gone
from strength to strength
with the addition of Lothian Lamb, Ayrshire Country Lamb, Galloway Lamb
and Caledonian Organics.
Today, Farm Stock has
handled in excess of 3.2
million livestock units and
with more than 1,400 livestock producers employing the co-operative’s
services. Farm Stock is
now the largest farmer
owned business of its
type in Scotland.
man, would be incredibly
proud of where Farm
Stock is today, both in
terms of its firm financial
backbone and the numbers
of producers now benefitting from co-operating
together.”
Giles Henry from
Oakwood Mill, Selkirk,
one of the original founder
members said… “I cannot believe it is 20 years!
Looking back, it was
definitely the right way
forward and I am very
pleased that other lamb
groups across Scotland
have joined the federal
and benefitted from
working together.
“I am sure the late Joe
Barbour, the first Chair-
Farm Stock coco-founder Giles Henry of
Oakwood Mill, Selkirk
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd Today
More than 1400 farm businesses actively trade livestock with us
More than £13.5m turnover
6 fieldsmen
More than 3.2m livestock units handled
Procurement for all livestock—beef, lamb, prime, store, cows, organic
Inside this issue:
Turn to…..
Vicky Stebbings, Rural Leader
2
Chairman’s Report
3
Correct Injections
4
Market Outlook
5
Fieldsmen Update
5
Expert Marketing
6
• Bryan Robb joins Farm
Stock team
• Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
Annual General Meeting
• Jim Kennedy wins Supreme
Lamb Carcass
"Strength through Co-operation"
May 2015
Vicky Stebbings, Rural Leader
Investing in our staff
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
In November Vicky
was selected to enrol
in The Rural Leadership Program, run by
Scottish Enterprise.
She was one of 43
successful applicants
throughout the
whole of Scotland.
The program ran
workshops from
November to March
which included
media training with
Ken Rundle and a
'Dragons Den meets
the Apprentice' style
competition in which
The challenging Rural Lead-
Vicky was part of
the winning team.
There was also a trip
to the European
Parliament in
Brussels where the
participants met up
with some of Scotland’s MEP's. This
was followed by an
exciting trip on the
Eurostar to London
with a tour round
Westminster and a
The aim of the programme is
chat with some
MP's.
Vicky says 'This was
a fantastic opportunity to network
with people from all
over Scotland and
from different parts
of the rural sector. I
gained some lifelong
skills by participating in the Rural
Leadership Program,
along with some
great friends.
I would thoroughly
recommend anyone
to apply'
wider rural leadership
ership Programme is aimed at to assist rural business leaders network.
business managers and
to create additional wealth
employees from rural busi-
through leading, team work-
nesses who have a desire to
ing, networking, influencing
develop their leadership skills and by being ambitious. It
and grow their business.
does this by developing the
To date, over 360 people have
completed the programme,
managers, tourism managers,
and managers from processing
and supply businesses.
Clark on Tel: 01343 548787
Email: [email protected]
ing their confidence, widening gramme must be submitted
industry and parliamentary
trust, providing an awareness
of rural economic issues and
introducing individuals to the
2
how to apply contact Susan
capacity of individuals, build- Applications for the pro-
their boundaries, building
including farmers, vets, estate
For more information and
by 10 September 2015.
Chairman’s Report
"Strength through Co-operation"
May 2015
From the Chairman
2014/15 was another excellent year
for Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd.
Farm Stock package and the benefits of co-operative trading.
The number of lambs handled
though the co-op grew by over
17%, signalling another increase in
market share. Numbers of cattle
traded through the group also
increased with the total turnover of
both sheep and cattle reaching a
record £13.5m.
‘Our mission is to keep costs down
and provide value to both our members and indeed all farmers through-
As a result, profitability was significantly ahead of both 2014 and the
2015 budget.
Consigner numbers also grew during the year as increasing numbers
of farmers realised the value of the
Our commission rates for
cattle and sheep were less
than 2% last year. We know
this gives our members the
best rates in Scotland
‘
out our trading area’ according to
the group’s chairman Ian Watson.
Next Steps in the
Lamb Supply Chain
At the conclusion
of the Lamb Supply
Chain project meetings earlier this
year, Farm Stock
identified continuing challenges for
the lamb supply
chain.
Chairman Ian
Watson felt there
was a potential role
for industry to take
the next steps in
tackling these
challenges and
consequently called
a meeting of indus3
‘
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
Ahead of the Annual General Meeting, Ian Watson, Chairman of Farm
Stock (Scotland) Ltd, reports on the group trading position
try bodies including
QMS, NSA and
SAC. David Evans, Head of Agriculture at Morrisons Supermarket,
was also invited to
represent both the
processor and the
retailer.
After detailed discussion three clear
conclusions were
drawn and these
will be progressed
in a joint task force
in the coming
months.
Ongoing Challenges
Insufficient abattoir capacity
in Scotland
Farm production patterns
creating huge peaks and
troughs in supply
Lamb consumption per head
of population
Carcass keeping quality
Consistency of carcass and
eating quality and
abattoir reporting
Collaboration and cooperation throughout
the chain
Next Steps to Explore
A pilot scheme of lamb futures
to help ease price volatility
in the market
Evaluation of the advertising
cost to significantly influence consumption
A campaign to influence farm
production patterns to better reflect market demand
"Strength through Co-operation"
May 2015
Injection Site Abscesses
Cut your losses by careful injecting
Quality carcasses
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
One of the major avoidable deductions from farmer payments is caused
by injection site abscesses. These have to be cut out and discarded,
devaluing a carcass by up to a kg of meat, in excess of £4/lamb.
Haig Murray, Pr ocur ement Manager in Scotland for the Dunbia
Group, which sources large volumes of lambs through Farm Stock, gives
the following tips and advice to producers to avoid meat losses to
abscesses.
Top Tips for using veterinary medicines
Follow the medicine manufacturer’s instructions
particularly on storage conditions and withdrawal
periods.
Avoid injecting wet animals
Change needles regularly
Use an appropriate needle and never insert a used needle
into a medicine bottle.
Subcutaneous injections should be administered into
loose skin on the side of the neck or behind the
shoulder
Intramuscular injections should be administered in the
neck and not in the rump or chest cavity, irrespective of animal age.
Ensure animals are adequately restrained to avoid injury
to the animal or handler.
Poor injection technique can cause
abscesses and ruin meat quality.
This leads to extra costs in the abattoir
and poor returns to the producer
4
"Strength through Co-operation"
From the Procurement Desk
May 2015
by Operations Manager David Marshall
After a mild spring,
Market Outlook
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
farmer’s thoughts
are understandably
turning to the
prospects for the
coming season.
Here are some
thoughts and
deliberations from
David Marshall,
Farm Stock’s
Operations
Manager, for the
coming year.
going off farms and
not being replaced,
we would be in an
oversupply situation,
with a current 2-3
weeks waiting list
for all abattoirs.
Prices in general are
well back on the
year by around 50p/
kg. Aberdeen Angus
cattle are now over
supplied with prices
back by around 70p/
kg.
Beef
saying he got more
for his cow now than
he paid for it 17
years ago. Remarkably stores have
retained their value
with no shortage of
buyers.
Cows however are
still a useful trade,
with one supplier
Who would have
predicted, after all
the talk of cows
Lamb
The start of the new
season for lambs is
just around the corner, and with a large
carryover of hoggets
it is hard to see how
the trade will be
buoyant. Mid to late
season lamb marketing could well be a
Organic
Organic cattle have
been realising base
prices of up to 383p/
kg for R4L beasts.
Two months ago you
would have been disappointed with this
5
strong challenge for
everybody, as numbers on the ground
appear to be up by
around 4% but we
have two extra
abattoirs on board so
we are confident we
can cope with extra
supply. We would
urge producers to
give us a call as soon
as they are fit, the
old saying of “if you
snooze you lose” ,
will be very evident
this season. This
may well prove good
advice as we predict
large backlogs at
abattoirs as the season gets underway.
price but right now
compared to conventional prices it is
extremely good.
ing in the region of
415p/kg. It is really
important that hoggets are well-fleshed
and meet specification so we can get the
right price for you.
With numbers shortening, organic hoggets are making the
trade and are realis-
"Strength through Co-operation"
Bryan Robb joins the team
May 2015
Bryan Robb previ-
Fieldsmen Update
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
ously of Highland
Glen Producers Ltd
& ABP Bathgate has
joined the Farm
Stock team as
Fieldsman for
Central Scotland.
Farming at
Westerhall Farm,
Muckhart near
Dollar, Bryan has a
wealth of experience
in the livestock trade
and the marketing of
both sheep and
cattle.
‘I am delighted to be
joining the team’
said Bryan ‘Farm
Stock is by far the
largest livestock
marketing co-op operating in Scotland
today and with its
resources behind me
I know I will be able
to offer my customers a comprehensive
and first class service. In addition I
will now be able to
handle both store
and breeding stock
which I wasn’t able
to do before’ he continued.
Bryan Robb
Success for Jim Kennedy
Jim Kennedy, Farm
Stock Fieldsman for
Galloway Lamb,
based at Lyonpark
Farm, Maybole, won
the supreme lamb
carcase at the
prestigious Scottish
Premier Meat Exhibition, sponsored by
M & S. His Beltex
lamb killed out at an
impressive E2,
21.3kg deadweight.
Jim last won the title
7 years ago, is pictured with his winning carcass and
judge Andrew
Atkinson.
Your local fieldsman
Ian Douglas
Lothian Lamb
Fieldsman
07885 367 151
Jim Kennedy
Galloway Lamb
Fieldsman
07774 281 735
Glen Muirhead
Perthshire & Fife
07763 967 602
Colin Mair
Ayrshire Country
Lamb Fieldsman
07976 605130
Robert Paterson
Central Scotland
07761 931 008
Bryan Robb
Stirling and Perthshire
07818 000 877
6
"Strength through Co-operation"
Expert Marketing
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd
May 2015
Marketing taken seriously
Although Ayrshire
lamb producers in the
islands can face logistical challenges in getting their sheep to
slaughter, mainland
producers are reaping
the rewards from being
part of the Farm Stock
operation.
Colin Mair, from
Montgomerieston
Farm, Dalrymple, and
Fieldsman for Ayr-
shire Country Lamb
explained, “Last season I sent lambs to a
wider selection of
outlets than ever
before. It is very much
a case of ‘horses for
courses’.
Lambs outwith the
normal spec (either
lighter or slightly
heavier) did very well
if sent to the correct
outlet”.
Looking forward to the
upcoming season,
Colin, who is also
busy this year as the
Chairman of the 2015
Ayr County Show added, “The coming season is likely to be challenging pricewise and
it will be more
important than ever to
do a professional job
in marketing this
year’s lamb crop”.
Successful store marketing
Barely a day goes by
without someone contacting Farm Stock
looking for store or
breeding animals.
farm much simpler and
we have a wide database
of buyers looking for
animals all the time.
Large finishers also
don’t have time to be
off farm.
David Marshall, Operations Manager for Farm
Stock explains, “With
labour in short supply
and CAP changes forcing ever increasing efficiencies on beef and
sheep units, more and
more farmers don’t have
time to prepare animals
and take time out of
their busy schedules to
go to market. Farmers
find selling store cattle
and store lambs farm to
One such buyer is Jim
Brown of Gaindykehead
Farm, Airdrie, who finishes over 2000 head of
cattle every year. Jim
said, “I really like buying cattle through Farm
Stock, the fieldsmen
know exactly the type
and specification of
store cattle I need”.
“Cattle coming direct
off farm also are less
7
stressed and get on with
growing much faster.”
John Skea, from East
Mains of Auchterhouse
Farm, Dundee, bought
store lambs through the
Farm Stock Fieldsman
team this year and has
been pleased with the
lambs supplied. John
explained, “Farm Stock
have sourced large
batches of organic
lambs for us, of a
known health status, and
take care of all the haulage, which is really
important. I don’t have
to leave the farm!”
Stock Marketing Calendar
May
June
Farm Sto ck (S c otl and) Ltd
Studio 1
Lindean Mill
Galashiels
TD1 3PE
Tel: 01750 72 33 66
Fax: 01750 72 33 77
July
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Contact the Team
Jan
David Marshall
Operations Manager
07808 329 719 (mobile)
Feb
Mar
Victoria Stebbings
Livestock Pr ocur ement
Officer
07767 298 382 (mobile)
April
Abattoirs start on new season lamb once they are assured of continuity
of supply. Hogg prices usually fall suddenly as abattoirs switch to
spring lamb
Consider selling lambs at lighter weights ahead of the rush and the
likely price drop. New season lamb prices high and export market
begins around Highland Show as numbers increase.
New season lamb prices tend to ease as supply increases but export
market in full swing. Ramadan begins on 18th June. Ramadan ends
17th July creating a market for large number of cast ewes late July and
early August
Large volumes of both organic and conventional prime lambs required
for home and export market. Store lamb marketing begins. Autumn
store cattle marketing begins ahead of housing
Ram lambs required in first fortnight for Eid-ul Adah Muslim Festival
on 23rd September
Organic stores lambs wanted
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Blackface lamb campaign begins mid
-November. 14 – 21 kg carcasses required. Prices tend to be good as
supply limited.
Surge in cull cows as PD’ing takes place
Blackface lambs required for Sainsbury’s still in short supply. Mid
December onwards strong demand for all types of prime lamb for
Christmas
Lull after Christmas demand. Blackface prices tend to ease as supply
increases
Sainsbur y’s Blackface campaign closes end of the month.
Valentine’s day sees huge demand for racks of lamb through M&S and
all other outlets. Many abattoirs switch over to NZ lamb at the end of
the month as quality and numbers fall. Large numbers of Store Cattle
marketed to meet buyers requirements.
Large volumes of lightweight lambs required ahead of Easter (27th
March) export trade and legs of lamb for Mothers Day.
Insufficient supply of organic lambs to meet demand
Diary Dates
Jonny Williams
Livestock Procurement
Officer
07817 702 988 (mobile)
Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd has
plans firmly in place to attend
Scotland’s Beef Event on
Wednesday, May 27 2015
Marjory Tennant
Administration
01750 723 366 (office)
The event, organised by the Scottish Beef Association, will be held
by kind permission of the Alexander family at Mains of Mause,
Blairgowrie, Perthshire. PH106TE
Come and see us at stand TA4
We’re on the Web
www.farmstock.org.uk
8
AGM Date
On behalf of the Board of
Directors, we extend an
invitation to our producer
members to attend the Annual
General Meeting of Farm
Stock (Scotland) Ltd
Cartland Bridge Hotel,
Lanark
Tuesday 21st July 2015,
6:30pm prompt