19/05/10 - Thainstone Centre Hosts Prestigious European Conference

19/05/10 - Thainstone Breeding Sale Price Broken

Wednesday 19th May

Thainstone Centre Hosts Prestigious European Conference

Thainstone Centre, Inverurie was host venue for the AEMB European Association of Livestock Markets conference and AGM last week.

The event, hosted by the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland (IAAS) saw a Europe-wide delegation of those involved in the organisation tour the North east and attend the conference at Thainstone Centre on Friday (May 14) where Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead opened the conference.  Other speakers included ‘Uel Morton, CEO of Quality Meat Scotland, Duncan Sinclair, Agricultural Manager with Waitrose and Norman Bagley, Policy Manager for the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers.

Mr Lochhead stressed the importance of livestock auctions to the Scottish agricultural industry, commented: “Auction marts are a key component of rural life so it is entirely fitting that the theme of the conference – “farm to fork and the role of the markets” – recognises the important role auction marts play in the food chain.

“Due to the stratified nature of Scotland’s livestock industry, the Scottish Auction mart system is essential to fulfil the marketing and buying requirements of livestock producers.”

Part of the event also focused on the implementation of the Sheep EID system which will require all sheep to be electronically tagged. 

A seminar was held in the morning of the event discussing the Scottish EID Pilot Scheme and a large display by tag and tag reader manufacturers was held in the main concourse.  Aberdeen & Northern Marts have been involved in the pilot since its inception and had the first successful fixed reader installed in January 2009. 

Talking about EID, Mr Lochhead added: “It is essential that we keep in mind that EID legislation is intended to assist in disease prevention and control, whether or not we agree with the details of the legislation.  I decided, in close consultation with industry leaders that all new born lambs in Scotland should be electronically tagged.  This decision enables us to fully utilise the option of markets, and abattoirs, to act as Critical Control Points to take away much of the recording burden from farmers.”

Norman Bagley, Policy Director with the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) re-iterated Mr Lochhead’s views regarding the importance of markets, with particular regard to Britain’s independent meat suppliers who supply some 40% of the country’s red meat trade. 

Mr Bagley said: “The markets provide the flexibility our members need to meet their customers’ requirements accurately.  These buyers prefer to source the livestock they require from auction markets instead of on contract or direct from farmers because the markets give them more choice and they can choose the livestock they want themselves.”

John Gregor, Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ general manager and president of the IAAS said: “Being able to host this prestigious conference at Thainstone allowed us to showcase the Scottish livestock industry to the full.  It also allowed our colleagues from continental Europe to see the unique issues faced by farmers in Scotland.  I am indebted to the Cabinet Secretary, and our other speakers, for their time and efforts in supporting this event.

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Wednesday 19th May

Thainstone Breeding Sale Price Broken

Thainstone Centre saw yet another sale price record broken last week when £4,800 was paid for a breeding cow with calf at foot.

The five year old British Blue cross cow with autumn born Limousin cross heifer calf at foot, from Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms, Mayne, Elgin, was purchased by John Smith, The Rowans, Brora.

Consignor Andrew Anderson said: “The cow is due to calve again in October and the bull has sired some of my previous champions at Thainstone.  The Limousin cross heifer calf has excellent breeding and I’m sure it’ll have a great future ahead of it for Mr Smith.”

Mr Smith added: “You could visit an auction many times and not come across a cow and calf as complete as this.  I’m confident the calf will have a good future and I intend to show it at Dornoch, Black Isle and Nairn Shows.”

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