| 2018-10-05 |    |
Integrated Supply Chain Delivers Extra Income Down the Line
One quarter of the producers supplying Aberdeen Angus beef sold under the Tesco Finest label UK wide come from Northern Ireland.
These producers belong to the farmer owned co-op Aberdeen Angus Quality Beef Ltd (AAQB). More cattle are needed to satisfy anticipated increase in demand.’ These were some of the opening remarks made by Hannah Donegan, Tesco Agricultural Manager, Beef and Lamb, at a packed AAQB AGM held recently in CAFRE’s Loughry Campus Food Innovation Centre, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Aberdeen Angus Quality Beef Ltd directors and officials at their AGM in Loughry Food Innovation Centre, Cookstown. Front, from left, William McIlroy Anne Morrison and Hugh McCollum, Limavady. Standing, from left, new director Ray Elkin, Eamon Kelly, Business Development Manager, Tynan Roultson, Charlotte Moore, Company Secretary, Hugh Keys, and Lowry Cunningham.
AAQB Chairman, Hugh McCollum, who farms near Limavady, told the meeting that self-help is the best help, especially in times of uncertainty on the eve of Brexit. He encouraged members to pay attention to detail and was able to report that over 97% of the cattle supplied met the required specifications to qualify for bonus payments.
Anne Morrison, in standing down as Company Secretary after 20 years, recalled the early meetings in 1995 that led to the formation of AAQB Ltd in 1998. She told the members that the Foyle Food Group was the only Processor who shared the vision of creating an integrated supply chain at that time. Working with the Foyle Food Group for over two decades AAQB members have supplied Aberdeen Angus beef not only to Tesco but to a number of other customers. This integrated supply chain has generated better business for all involved from farm to fork.
In handing over the role of Company Secretary to Charlotte Moore
Anne said;
‘With a loyal membership and Foyle sharing our vision
this food supply chain partnership has been very successful’. She
encouraged AAQB to continue to innovate in order to stay ahead. Anne
continues in her role as a Director of AAQB.
Eamon Kelly, AAQB Business Development Manager, gave a very positive summary of the past year’s performance reporting that the throughput of Aberdeen Angus cattle has more than doubled in the past four years. AAQB offers a real return from a premium market. Producers seeking a good future in Aberdeen Angus beef production should contact Eamon Kelly on mobile 07813 176 939 to discuss marketing through the supply chain partnership.
The positive theme continued with guest speaker Hannah Donegan, Tesco Agriculture Manager, Beef and Lamb. Of the major UK retailers only Tesco UK offer Aberdeen Angus beef 52 weeks of the year. Tesco want a stable supply chain so that their customers know that Tesco Finest Aberdeen Angus beef is always in stock. She stated that the prospects for Tesco Finest Aberdeen Angus beef are excellent and they will continue to innovate and drive up standards working with their supply chain partners AAQB and the Foyle Food Group.
Chairman Hugh McCollum urged producers to keep driving up their standards. ‘We have a true world class gold medal winning product in our naturally produced, quality assured Aberdeen Angus beef. Let us build on this success and grow AAQB which is a prime example of farmers helping themselves to a fairer share of premium prices for a premium product’.
