AgriScot and QMS seeking out Scotch Beef farm of the year

Beef producers in Scotland are being offered the opportunity to win a fabulous cash prize and the title of Scotch Beef Farm of the Year in an initiative launched by AgriScot and Quality Meat Scotland.

The new award is aimed at showcasing excellence in the production of cattle in Scotland and raising awareness of the dedication and stock management skills behind the production of Scotch Beef.

AgriScot and QMS are working together to deliver the award which will see the winner receive £500 plus a £250 voucher to celebrate their win at a Scotch Beef Club restaurant – the club is run by QMS and has around 300 members committed to serving top quality Scotch Beef.

The award will be presented at AgriScot to be held at Ingliston on 21 November. Last year the event attracted more than 8,000 attendees.

Andrew Moir, AgriScot chairman, said: “We hope that organisations and businesses working closely with beef producers – such as processors, auction markets, breed societies, technical advisers and suppliers – will also take time to nominate a beef farm worthy of the award.”

Jim McLaren, QMS chairman, said: “This initiative is aimed at showcasing excellence in the production of cattle and should fuel confidence in the future for all those working in the Scottish red meat industry. Our aim is to attract a wide range of entrants with varying sizes and types of beef farming enterprises.”

Assessors representing AgriScot and QMS will review the applications based on evidence of four main areas: a high standard of technical and financial performance; uptake of new ideas to improve efficiency/profitability; a high level of health and welfare and a keen eye on the market for the end product.

The assessors will also be looking out for evidence of the passion and enthusiasm by the farmer, and family and staff where relevant, to efficiently produce high quality animals.

As well as applications direct from farmers, applications are also being sought from others working in the industry who can nominate a farm, or farms, they feel merits the award.

All farms producing cattle destined to be used for meat sold under the Scotch Beef label – and thus are members of QMS’s farm assurance scheme – are eligible to enter.