Opinion: Beef farming industry has reasons for optimism - despite its challenges

Annabelle Howell
·2-min read
Norfolk cattle farmer Annabelle Howell is young ambassador for the National Beef Association (NBA) <i>(Image: NBA)</i>
Norfolk cattle farmer Annabelle Howell is young ambassador for the National Beef Association (NBA) (Image: NBA)

The beef industry has reasons for optimism despite its challenges says Norfolk cattle farmer Annabelle Howell, young ambassador for the National Beef Association.

The beef industry so far this summer has seen prices comfortably hit and stay at just over £4 per kilo deadweight for cull cows.

Tighter supply, and demand for processing beef followed a seeming abundance of cull cows slaughtered early on in the year, with several weeks having over 1,000 more cows slaughtered than the previous year.

However, with the recent weather being more like April than June, this has steadied the prime cattle trade which has taken a dip due to lack of demand.

This being said, store cattle trades remain buoyant, with short and long term keep cattle being fiercely competed for wherever you go in the country.

Breeding cattle have also been in demand - herd replacements have been eagerly sought after, showing confidence in the future of beef production.

This has been proved nationwide following February 2024 bull sales at Stirling, which attracts farmers from all over the country to purchase future stock bulls for their herds.

All in, the bulls averaged just shy of £7,500. This shows premium cattle consistently achieve premium prices, through from breeding stock to dead weight.

I think it is fundamental for beef breeders and producers to invest in well-bred stock in order to safeguard and improve efficiencies for future production. As more emphasis moves onto carbon efficiencies within farming, good genetics will prove their worth in producing higher-yielding, faster-growing cattle.

Furthermore, people are realising the true meaning of good sustainable food. This is a great opportunity for us as an industry to champion it and push all the great benefits of British beef - not only its importance in a healthy diet, but also to show that our production is among the highest in the world with regards to animal welfare which, in turn, creates a better product on the shelf.

However, farmers continue to face more and more challenges and this is evidently causing impact. The cost of production, bovine TB concerns and pressures on paperwork, are big challenges which are also vital to the survival of the industry.

With this, communication from all parties is so important in order to ensure all producers are not only protected but also treated fairly.

Farmers are brilliant at their jobs, but increasing pressures and red tape are taking a toll.

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