Scotland’s Beef Event is fast approaching and will provide an opportunity for the beef industry to get together and discuss the issues of the day, namely the combination of climate change and biodiversity loss coming at the same time as Brexit and the repositioning of farm subsidy.

Estate owner, Peter Landale, is very open and honest about the herd’s viability in producing Charolais-sired calves for the forward store and finished markets from Blue Gray, Luing and Shorthorn cows. Speaking candidly on the beef operation at Dalswinton Estate Peter highlights that each of the 550 suckler cows has made a loss of £81 per cow before Single Farm Payment in the year 2022 to 2023.

Calves are sold at 10 to 12-months-old at an average weight of 400kg, and Gavin Hill, Senior Beef Specialist at SAC Consulting, points out that loss was made in a year with a great calf rearing percentage of 92% and despite the high store prices seen in 2023.

Each week on the lead up to Scotland’s Beef Event at Dalswinton, Peter will put together a headline of information with a different subject area about the herd. The publication schedule is as follows:

  • April 3, introduction to Dalswinton
  • April 10, production of beef at Dalswinton
  • April 17, marketing of beef at Dalswinton
  • April 24, controlling cost at Dalswinton
  • May 1, cropping at Dalswinton
  • May 8, carbon and Biodiversity position at Dalswinton
  • May 15, financial support at Dalswinton
  • May 22, application of modern technology options at Dalswinton
  • May 29, the future at Dalswinton

If you are interested in finding out more about the Dalswinton Estate beef enterprise and the future of Scottish beef production, head along to Scotland’s Beef Event at Dalswinton Estate, Dumfriesshire on June 6.