A series of “meat the market” workshops to help farmers boost profits by improving their livestock selection and presentation for slaughter is to take place over the winter.
The events, at processing plants around Scotland, will highlight the key factors in ensuring livestock meet the targets required by processors.
They will focus on either beef or lamb, and those who attend will also get the opportunity to visit the processing plants to assess stock before and after slaughter to see how grading works.
The key speaker is George Allan, divisional manager with Meat & Livestock Commercial Services Ltd. This provides independent abattoir authentication and classification services to the British processing industry and currently conducts independent classification of 82% of all cattle, 78% of all sheep and 72% of all pigs slaughtered in the UK.
Mr Allan provides practical training for livestock producers in the selection of live animals to meet buyer requirements and also to those working in abattoirs who need to develop carcase assessment and classification skills.
He said: “These workshops should prove valuable for farmers and help them improve how they select their livestock for market in the future.”
The first workshop is at Kepak McIntosh Donald, Portlethen, on Tuesday October 23, with a focus on cattle selection.
For information on dates and locations call Heather McCalman on 07766 330 911 or email info@qmscotland.co.uk