ASDA selects farming scholars to boost UK beef industry

Three ASDA beef suppliers from around the UK are celebrating after winning a place on the supermarket’s inaugural Beef Link scholarship programme. Launched in Autumn 2007 by ASDA and its long term partner Anglo Beef Processors (ABP), the scholarship was developed to encourage innovation in the beef sector and give farmers the chance to access funding for a research project of their choice, anywhere in the world.

From England, Redditch beef farmer Adam Quinney, a West Midlands NFU livestock board member and a long term supplier to ABP Shrewsbury, was successful in his application. He plans to visit France, America and Italy to research systems that provide farmers and others within the beef supply chain, with information on how to improve carcass performance from breeding to ongoing health status and finishing.

Scottish beef farmer Charley Walker plans to go to New Zealand in September to study grass-based beef production systems. On his travels, he intends to look at grazing management and utilisation, grass and forage varieties plus animal genetics and their ability to perform on grass and forage rather than grain. A Nuffield Scholar who runs a 625 acre organic upland farm in Duns, Berwickshire, Charley and his family have been working with ASDA since 2001 and supply ABP Perth.

James Trimble from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland is also planning to look at grassland beef production in New Zealand. He will be researching pasture based grazing systems incorporating white clover and cattle breeding genetics in Hereford and Aberdeen Angus breeds, which are renowned for the quality of beef they produce.

Commenting on the calibre of the Beef Link Scholarship entries, Jim Viggars, meat buyer at ASDA said: "When we reviewed the application forms received, we were struck by the number of different projects outlined and it was initially quite difficult to chose a short list. However our three final farmers each put forward a convincing case and we are delighted with the mix of topics they have initially decided to cover during their travels. The teams at ASDA and ABP look forward to hearing back from each of the farmers to see how the findings could impact on individual farm set up and the wider British beef industry."

Commenting, successful Scottish farmer Charley Walker said: "When I found out about the ASDA Beef Link Scholarship, I realised this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity and decided to put myself forward. With the cost of fuel, feed and fertilisers on the increase, grassland management is a particularly pertinent topic - and New Zealand is the obvious place to visit. The climate there is very similar to the UK and from a grassland perspective they are the acknowledged world leaders in grass based livestock production. We grow good grass in this country but we face challenges that I’d personally like to overcome, and I am sure there is much more we could be doing on this front as an industry."

Continuing he said: "Long term, my aim is to eliminate grain based feeding in our beef system by maximising production from grass. Reducing input costs whilst maintaining production levels will give my business a more sustainable future, which is less reliant on subsidies. I also hope to be able to pass my knowledge on to other beef producers giving them the opportunity to develop their own systems and genetics for the wider benefit of the UK beef industry."

Explaining more about his intended project, Adam Quinney said: "The UK beef industry faces many challenges in the years ahead and I feel we need to find ways to produce beef in a much more efficient way. While short term changes relating to genetics and herd health management will certainly help, we also need to focus on best practice when it comes to improving birth, growth and conversion rates. I am also interested in automated data capture systems and software solutions that can assist farmers with information about their livestock. I am also keen to explore how farmers in other countries adapt and change farm practise in response to market pressures to see what could be applied in this country. This is a great opportunity and I look forward to relaying my findings to the teams at ASDA and ABP in due course."

Concluding the farmer’s comments, James Trimble said: "Working in partnership with my father and brother, we farm 300 acres of lowland and 300 acres of hills – meaning grassland management is a topic very close to the heart of our enterprise. Like many other farmers, I believe New Zealand is the place to look to for best practice in this area and I hope to gain information on my travels that will enable me to continue producing quality beef at a competitive price point."

Upon completion of the projects, each farmer will present their findings back to ASDA’s beef suppliers at regular meetings run as part of the BeefLink initiative. The shared experiences will benefit all the retailer’s beef farmers, putting them ahead of the game in areas including grassland management, health issues and cost management. More information will be available on the progress of each farmer in due course.