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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:48 pm
by acrossthesea
Six members of the Northern Ireland Support Group attended a Trade Show in Belfast today. Again the Dexter Beef took centre stage. It was prepared and cooked by Danny Miller of The Great British Menu fame. He prepared Roast Rib, Rib Eye Steak and Short Ribs in red wine. It was attended by the Minister of Agriculture who tasted the Steak and commented "where can I buy beef like this". The cooking session was well presented by Crossgar Meats who had a prime site. Demand according to Connor Bell still outstrips supply and is likely to stay that way. A complete range of beef was on display. Great interest was shown in the breed from the onlookers which included many chefs and hoteliers.
Howard Hilton (Northern Ireland)
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:55 pm
by Broomcroft
Well done Howard.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 2:32 pm
by Broomcroft
acrossthesea wrote:Demand according to Connor Bell still outstrips supply and is likely to stay that way.
Just picking up on that, there are Dexters out there but the premium of 10p isn't going to attract quite a few IMHO. I've considered it for my registered stock and spoke to the contact, but it doesn't make any sense for me, especially as grading will take place. Grading is for supermarkets and is not really applicable to quality beef, so I'm with Dom on that one in that I'd be concerned about being knocked down in price because of the grades. In the US they have Choice and Prime where they expect and pay for more fat and less meat (20% less I believe). In the UK it would be the other way around or am I misunderstanding the UK grading system. I've been told the supermarkets are going to demand a change to the US system so that taste is taken account of, but probably a long way off yet.
Edited By Broomcroft on 1269869629
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:31 pm
by Saffy
The only way to find out about whether or not being "knocked down in price" is really likely to be a problem, is to wait and see if it happens to those that trade that way. Has anyone from the mainland sent any yet?
It would be a such shame to discount this form of trade for our finished animals and then find that our reasons were unfounded.
After all it doesn't suit everyone to sell their animals packed for the freezer.
Stephanie
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:19 pm
by domsmith
I think crossgar can only be good. and certainly if you are going to sell then they would be the first place to try,
its just people need to be careful about what they expect. to expect you will get £3 p/kg, is not the way forward, but to think you would get 10p more than from somewhere else is the positive.
like i say it puts value on the dexter in all ways
dom
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:27 pm
by Broomcroft
Don't get me wrong, I think the scheme can only be good, but Howard just said there was a shortage and more importantly that it was likely to stay that way.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:15 pm
by Buryhill Dexters
I sent 15 animals to Crossgar with the last shipment and was completely satisfied with the return.
Yes it does not suit everybody however it makes a pleasant change to have the opportunity to sell quantities of Dexters into the marketplace at a real commercial value.
Certainly we can all achieve better returns by marketing and selling our premium quality beef to the end user, but it is still reassuring to have another option that still gives a fair and reasonable return.
Initially the gap between what Crossgar’s will pay and what we sell ours for looks too much, but when I considered the pro’s & con’s the costs of killing, butchering & packaging (including the boning costs of any OTM cattle) and the fact that 15 animals in one transaction to Crossgar’s would be 120 transactions of 1/8th boxes it does look more appealing.
Don’t forget that the deadweight price being paid per kilo includes bones and you will loose around 40% of carcass weight boning out.
Yes they do grade but can you blame them, if they did not would some people not be inclined to just send all their rubbish to them ! Also the paltry 10p per Kilo premium over market rate that they are offering looks somewhat more when you actually take into account that beef in Ireland is generally in the region of 15p per kilo less than mainland UK they are actually paying a 25p premium on what they could actually purchase over there.
I will not be sending all of our finished stock to Crossgar but intend to use them to sell any excess stock too with the comfort of knowing that I will be getting a fair price.