SAC and QMS, with support from NFU Scotland, have organised an open afternoon focussing on the production of beef, from grass.

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The afternoon will focus on the production of cattle off grass and will look at grass varieties and mixes to ensure efficient production and the use of clover to cheapen production and reduce the need for added nitrogen. The role of mineral supplements to improve performance will be debated. Costings, provided by the group, will be examined, as will ways of improving margins from cattle at grass.

The event is being encouraged by a group of beef finishers based in Aberdeenshire which focuses on cattle finishing. The group, which meets regularly, is chaired by Bruce Walker and facilitated by Ian Pritchard of SAC with funding provided by QMS. There are 16 members in the group who finish 15,000 cattle per annum and they have been evaluating costs and returns and the marketing chain.

A number of interesting speakers have been lined up for the event which will be chaired by Danny Miller from Caithness, a recent appointment to the QMS board, and the driving force behind the creation of the Mey Selections brand.

The Programme

Production Through Efficient Grassland Utilisation
Michael Shannon (Independent Grassland Specialist)

Cheapening Production Costs with Clover
John Weddell (SAC)

Can Mineral Supplementation Improve Performance?
David McClelland (Norvite)

Producing Beef Profitably - Can It Be Done?
Charlotte Maltin (QMS) / Ian Pritchard (SAC)

Getting Back To Basics With Cattle Performance Off Grass
Jimmy Hyslop (SAC)

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