The Scottish National Fatstock Club hosts the two-day LiveScot at Lanark Agricultural Centre. The event incorporates a pedigree and commercial primestock show alongside the Royal Smithfield Club’s Beef Ribs and Saddles of Lamb competitions which is being sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland and supported by John Scott Meats. Judge is Dan Gilmour of John Gilmour Butchers. Entries close 27 October. Click HERE for schedule and entry form. See www.fatstockclub.co.uk 

The English Winter Fair takes place at the Staffordshire Showground and includes the Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Competitions, presentation of The Duke of Norfolk trophy, Young Farmers award and RABI trophy. Click HERE for schedule and HERE for entry form - there is also online entry at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk. Ribs and Saddles entries close 15 November (entries received after 6 November will not be included in the catalogue).

The RSC will again be presenting a trophy to support the Young Handlers competition at this year's Stars of the Future. The Young Handlers competition takes place on the evening of Fri 10th November followed on the Saturday by the Stars of the Future Calf Show at United Auctions, Stirling. The YH competition is open to ages 11-21 and will be judged by Teresa Wilson. Search Stars of the Future Calf Show on Facebook. Entries close 25 October.

Very much looking forward to the English Winter Fair going ahead again this year along with the Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Competitions, presentation of The Duke of Norfolk trophy, Young Farmers award and RABI trophy. Please click HERE for Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb schedule - entry forms in due course to be found on www.staffscoutyshowground.co.uk. Entries close 17 November.

Great British Beef Week is ‘going green’ as its 11th year focuses on sustainability

British beef farmers are to receive industry-wide recognition at the end of April, with their support for sustainable production practices being the focal point of Great British Beef Week 2021.

The campaign is to take place between 23-30 April 2021, with organisers Ladies in Beef (LiB) once again supported by AHDB, as well as Red Tractor, National Farmers Union, The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and Hybu Cig Cymru. 

Great British Beef Week (GBBW) 2021 will proudly showcase the strides being taken by British farmers in the sphere of sustainability, with Britain continuing to maintain its position, as among the most sustainable in the world.  

The campaign is to be run predominantly via digital channels, with regional media and in store activity also being used to highlight innovative and sustainable farming methods from producers across Britain. 

Jilly Greed, who co-founded Ladies in Beef with NFU president Minette Batters, said: “Great British Beef Week enables us to shine a light on all aspects of the beef production process. Our farmers are passionate about the beef they produce and are committed to delivering high quality red meat for consumers to continue to enjoy.

“Managing land in a sustainable way is a fundamental responsibility of the modern-day farmer. This includes farming regeneratively, improving grasslands and paddock grazing, planting trees, maintaining wildflowers for the bee population, or harvesting and giving cattle rainwater to drink. British beef production boasts a carbon footprint of just less than half the global average, and reflects the hugely important and positive work our farmers are putting in day-by-day.  It’s vital that we keep bringing attention to the ways our producers are respecting the land, whilst also producing the foods we enjoy eating.” 

Industry representatives and other stakeholders who are keen to support Great British Beef Week 2021 can do so by visiting www.ladiesinbeef.org.uk. Extra information on the campaign, as well as some useful downloadable content, is also available.

The British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) is a charity that works to improve the understanding of all aspects of animal science and to ensure research and knowledge transfer has a practical and beneficial application. The BSAS Virtual Conference under the banner ‘The Challenge of Change’ takes place 12-15 April. To book a place, please visit www.bsas.org.uk. Says BSAS: ‘We work with science and industry specialists to provide improvements in: the welfare and productivity of farmed animals to help produce quality, safe and environmentally sustainable food; animal health and welfare; and the care of equine, companion and zoo animals.’