Royal Northern Beef Tech 2007

Beef Tech 2007 Attracts Record Attendance to Buchan Farm

Non-stop rain in the two days leading up to the event did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of beef producers attending the Royal Northern Agricultural Society’s Beef Tech 2007 event at Savoch Farm, Lonmay, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, on Thursday (May 31).

An attendance of more than 5000 on the day confirmed the importance of the event to the Scottish beef industry with visitors present from throughout Scotland, as well as from England and Italy.

The crowded scene during the opening cermony at Beef Tech 2007 (click image to enlarge)

“It was the most successful on-farm event the Society has organised with a record attendance and a record number of trade stands,” said RNAS president, Willie Mackie, Whiteside, Tullynessle, Alford, Aberdeenshire.

“We are greatly indebted to our host farmers, Sjirk and Thyna Oosterhof, and their son, Peter, who provide a great show of cattle and to all our sponsors, breed societies, trade stand exhibitors and members of my own board of directors who put in so much time and effort to ensure the success of the event.

“Trade stand exhibitors did good business and were delighted with the large attendance and quality of enquiries.”

Mainline sponsors were Clydesdale Bank and Scotland’s meat promotion agency, Quality Meat Scotland, and the event was organised in association with the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the local Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, who own the adjoining Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve.

The event was officially opened by Ian Galloway, chairman of leading Scottish meat processors, Scotbeef Ltd, Bridge of Allan, who congratulated the RNAS on organising such a successful event.

He was supported by the other speakers at the opening ceremony, David Douglas, head of rural business with Clydesdale Bank, and ‘Uel Morton, chief executive of Quality Meat Scotland.

Event convener, Raymond Smith, welcomes visitors to Beef Tech 2007 (click image to enlarge)

Mr Mackie also read out a message from Scotland’s new Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, who said the event was a “first class showcase” for Scotland’s beef industry.

Parliamentary business prevented Mr Lochhead from attending the event, but he visited the farm last Monday to meet Mr and Mrs Oosterhof and office-bearers of the RNAS.

One of the speakers at one of four seminars held throughout the day was leading Italian meat importer, Giacinto Fusetti, who announced a deal with Scotbeef to import Scotch beef to Italy to supply a chain of 48 restaurants and a group of 55 hypermarkets.

Speakers at Beef Tech 2007 included Ian Galloway (left), chairman of Scotbeef Ltd, and leading Italian meat importer, Giacinto Fusetti (click image to enlarge)

Other features of Beef Tech 2007 included a farm tour to view the stock and the Nature Reserve, more than 100 trade stands and livestock demonstrations by 10 breed societies.

The awards for the best trade stands were won by Animal Health Inverurie (inside stands) and Tagmaster (outside stands). The award for the best breed exhibit went to the Charolais breed.

A total of 138 children from six local primary schools also attended and were conducted on a tour of the event by volunteers from the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative.

“It is essential that children understand the link between farming and food and the event helped the children do that in an entertaining and fun way,” said education convener, Robert Bellfield.

Overall winner of the Feedmix stockjudging competition was Craig Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny.

Stockjudging results -

Young farmers (junior) – Gemmy Bruce (Udny); 2 Duncan Wilson (Garioch); 3 (equal) Fraser Davidson and John Brown (both Strichen).

Young farmers (senior) – 1 James Steel (Durris); 2 (equal) – Gordon Simpson (Strathbogie) and Nicola Barron (Belhelvie).

Open – Craig Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny; 2 John Fyall, Garlogie; 3 Jimmy Edward, Meikle Ardrone, Keith.

Weight guessing competition – Ross Fotheringham (Strichen).

In addition to Clydesdale Bank and QMS, key sponsors of the event were Allathan Associates, ANM Group Ltd, Glencore Grain Ltd, Groundwater Lift Trucks Ltd, Norvite Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and Stewart Agricultural Ltd.

Local sponsors included Agridata (Thistle Ltd), John Bell Farmers, W and G Beverly and Sons (Galebreaker), George Duncan Monarch, Farm North East, Sinclair Contractors, Solway Re-Cycling (W and W Mackie), Les Taylor Group and Towns and Carnie Ltd.

June 4, 2007