Tesco stocking Argentinian beef in some Welsh stores!!

[DrWazzock]

Have to admit to not knowing what Gauchos is/are?

Country people experienced in working cattle and other livestock usually on horseback. South American Cowboys.

Not so sure that cattle are managed this way in Argentina now as the Gauchos were busy taking tourists on guided tours on horseback. Possibly still some ranching done out there but feedlots becoming more or prevalent. The Mrs reckoned the cattle all looked like Herefords.

 

[Cowabunga]

Country people experienced in working cattle and other livestock usually on horseback. South American Cowboys.

Not so sure that cattle are managed this way in Argentina now as the Gauchos were busy taking tourists on guided tours on horseback. Possibly still some ranching done out there but feedlots becoming more or prevalent. The Mrs reckoned the cattle all looked like Herefords.

Yes lots of Herfords.
Beef production has fluctuated significantly in recent decades and cropping, mainly of soybean has come to the fore as a big export earner. Some oil must be extracted locally and the waste meal fed to feedlot cattle.

 

[caveman]

But the breeding cattle will still be ranched on the Pampas?

 

[Cowgirl]

Argentina and Uruguay have some of the most impressive Hereford herds in the world, judging by photos and reports from people who have visited them - I wish we had more cattle like them here.

 

[DrWazzock]

Argentina and Uruguay have some of the most impressive Hereford herds in the world, judging by photos and reports from people who have visited them - I wish we had more cattle like them here.

That's right. Can we learn something from that? In this area native breeds are sold either through farm shops or through the schemes such as Morrison's. They struggle in the fat ring and amongst the wholesale buyers.

Continentals are always more popular in the ring and make up the bulk of sales, but there isn't an ounce of fat in or on the meat which doesn't help its cooking qualities so it has to be steeped in butter or sauce. Certainly the continentals offer better conformation and kill out percentage which is a credit to the breeders but this isn't that relevant to the final customers eating experience. So we have a two tier system here in the UK with no consistent type. This confuses the customer and gives them a variable eating experience. The fact is there is no such thing as "British" beef. It all depends on the breed, whereas Argentinian beef and even NZ lamb seems to be of a more consistent type, which makes it easier to market as a brand with recognisable and consistent qualities. Supermarkets like this. Not saying it's right, but they like a consistent easily recognisable type and brand and plenty of it.

Is there any way we can address this? Don't know. Just throwing ideas round.

 

[Hilly]

Don't think so Alan. I'll just wait until the bank forecloses on the likes of yourself and buy land cheap

You never know your luck !

 

[Hilly]

It is entirely possible that the Brexit situation will unite Ireland [or divide it with a hard border] because free movement between N and the Republic is one of the key items the EU want sorted before even starting any trade talks. I cannot see how N Ireland could remain as part of the UK and effectively remain in the EU any more than I can see the same situation arise in Scotland. If it did, Ireland would share a common sea border with England and Wales and Scotland would inevitably demand the same which would necessitate a hard border between an independent Scotland and England.
There is no possible way for Ireland to have UK rules and regulations while having open borders with the EU. Not unless every aspect was near enough held the same as it is now, in which case why leave the EU?

It is quite possible to come to an agreement on trade with the EU but it will never be as advantageous as the deal we had within the EU and it will have to be on their terms, not ours. To get the very best deal we do need a strong leader with the mandate and ability to make decisions and negotiate the best terms possible. Not being harried by dissenters and mischief makers at every turn and decision reached.

It really is a poison chalice, to lead the UK in these negotiations. Very few people will be completely satisfied with the result, because it will by its very nature be less advantageous then the existing position as regards our trade with the EU. Even if Mrs May is given the mandate to do so in the forthcoming election, it will be a tough negotiation where there will have to be some give on our part, and that will pish off a whole lot of people one way or another.

If South American beef undercuts UK beef by 20 to 25% it will severely impact on the competitiveness of UK producers, have no illusion about that at all. The only saving grace is that if we do make a satisfactory agreement with the EU, then we might be subject to the same safeguards and restrictions on imports as we currently are. Plus, as far as Argentina specifically is concerned, most of their beef is domestically consumed and quantities available for export have traditionally fluctuated to such an extent that they cannot be relied upon to fulfil any contracts in the medium term. That wouldn't stop the supermarket buyers from using opportunist purchases to strategically depress the domestic price at key times of course.

The argy beef is coming brexit or not, we have little chance of stopping it but probably more out the EU.

 

[cattleman123]

No I want a level playing field, do away with all the red tape BS/ farm assurance etc etc and give us a level playing field and perhaps direct subs can go but until then they will be needed.

Personally I think the only way UK AG will survive post Brexit and no subs on non level playing field is if we take control from farm gate to the shoppers car with regional co-ops across the UK, do away with the AHDB and replace it with a organisation that actually promotes UK produce and its merits to UK shoppers.

Only just realised they the AHDB take 60 p from every fat lamb i sell whether it makes 60 quid or 90 quid...where is the money going...?

 

[JP1]

Sooner or later the EU will/ would have broken up.

Germany has too much power and everything is done to benefit them and France, sooner or later they will have a big fall out and then watch out!

We owe our freedom to millions of very brave men and woman who gave their today so we could have our tomorrow and we should NEVER take their supreme scrafice for granted and throw away like we have been doing since the 1970's the very freedoms they fought and died for.

If you could ask them , many would have died for freedom and for a Nation of States to prevent all future wars and bloodshed in Europe.

I detest that type of argument being brought up. Please accept you can argue your point above both ways and therefore the "point" is neutralised

 

[Derrick Hughes]

How does this work with free trade agreements and import tariffs

 

[gone up the hill]

Only just realised they the AHDB take 60 p from every fat lamb i sell whether it makes 60 quid or 90 quid...where is the money going...?

Very good question!!

AHDB Beef + Lamb board are coming under a lot of pressure currently because there is a very lot of unhappy farmers around on the issue of the total lack of marketing for British lamb in the home markets.

As far as I can make out the B+L board are currently on a drive to increase AHDB staff numbers into non jobs as they have taken on several people recently, this alongside wasting thousands the other day writing that glossy leaflet telling farmers how to read a medicine bottle label ( ie telling granny how to suck an egg ) is where the money is going, I thought they had stopped gimmicks like this after they came under fire last year for telling us what an electric fence is and how to put up/ use said fence ( yet again thousands of ££s wasted ) but clearly not!

Don't forget that for every fat bullock you send you pay £4.05/ head as well.

If you want to speak to a B+L board member then when you are next at sedge have a word with R V ( I think you know who I mean ) as he has just been appointed from April to the B+L board.. ( on £256 day + expenses )

@cattleman123 @Henarar

 

[exmoor dave]

Only just realised they the AHDB take 60 p from every fat lamb i sell whether it makes 60 quid or 90 quid...where is the money going...?

I'm abit split on this,

On the one hand it would make more sense to be a % levy, so as to incentivize AHDB,

But on the other hand, this would create a situation where it would be near impossible for AHDB to forward budget.
And more importantly by using a % levy system, when prices are poor, the budget to do something about the situation would also be at its smallest, so a vicious circle in effect.

 

[DrDunc]

I'm abit split on this,

On the one hand it would make more sense to be a % levy, so as to incentivize AHDB,

But on the other hand, this would create a situation where it would be near impossible for AHDB to forward budget.
And more importantly by using a % levy system, when prices are poor, the budget to do something about the situation would also be at its smallest, so a vicious circle in effect.

There's some not inconsiderable irony in saying a percentage levy "would create a situation where it would be near impossible for AHDB to forward budget".....

That's exactly the issue that the producer has!

 

[exmoor dave]

There's some not inconsiderable irony in saying a percentage levy "would create a situation where it would be near impossible for AHDB to forward budget".....

That's exactly the issue that the producer has!

Can't disagree with that, that's why there's two sides to every coin.

The point I'm trying to make is that if the levy money fluctuated wildly year to year, it would mean every decision being ultra short term, staff changing constantly, we'd be in a even worse situation.

The way round this could potentially be employing just a core of staff then buy in all other services dependant on budget.

Still won't solve the problem of poor prices would = poor budget to promote produce when we most need that promotion, unless the levy bodies held back funds in good years to use in bad years, but then the usual levy board bashers on here would scream murder if there was substantial monies held over.

 

[digger64]

I will still be farming in 20 years ( assuming im still healthy enough to do so ) but 70% farmers will not be farming by then if subs go and tariffs go against us.

Somebody will though , how and why are you in the 30 % then ?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Somebody will though , how and why are you in the 30 % then ?

40% of food is imported .how can they go against you if farmers adapt or have I missed something