The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Rosemary on December 29, 2015, 01:01:45 pm
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Any other beef cattle keepers in Scotland got their Beef Efficiency Scheme diary this morning?
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Yes postie brought this surprise today. Gestation table is a bit out for ours as they calve 9 months and 17 days on average. Extra paperwork and homework for the kids or me to get info on to computer, (OH won't do the computer bit) Will have to get hold of a weighing machine.
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I'm going to preregister just to stay in the loop but we won't be eligible to take part as you have to be part of a Farm Assurance Scheme, which we're not - and with our small numbers, it's unlikely that joining any FA scheme will be cost effective. Disappointing as it might have collected some useful data on Shetlands but I would doubt that many Shetland breeders will be eligible.
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It's not cost effective for anyone but they are trying to make everyone farm assured. They have recently re structured there pricing bands -Lowest membership fees are band 1 46.29 vat 9.26 total£55.55 per year for 1 - 5 livestock units (cattle 1 livestock unit ,sheep 0.1 livestock unit.) There is also a crofter group as part of the farm assured where I think a group can apply as one member so share costs.Hopefully the below links work:
qms link: http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/cattle-sheep-standards (http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/cattle-sheep-standards)
joining form link shows the pricing bands: http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/sites/default/files/qmsappform2015-16issue3rev3-editable_0.pdf (http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/sites/default/files/qmsappform2015-16issue3rev3-editable_0.pdf)
crofter group form link; http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/sites/default/files/qmsgroupappform15-16issue3rev2-editable.pdf (http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/sites/default/files/qmsgroupappform15-16issue3rev2-editable.pdf)
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If you are interested in recording this info. you can just do it yourself or groups of people or breed societies could set up own scheme. Generations of people have been making their stock more efficient without computers and endless paperwork- it's called stockmanship- basic stock sense and getting to know your own land and your own animals.
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I don't disagree - we've always recorded information on the sheep (we have so few cattle that a spreadsheet would be overkill). The scheme potentiallly would have had benefits for the Shetland breed though, in the collection if data. It's not something that the breed society seems interested in doing.
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......we won't be eligible to take part as you have to be part of a Farm Assurance Scheme, which we're not ......it's unlikely that joining any FA scheme will be cost effective. ......
You'll be glad your not part of a QA Scheme - my view is that they are a lot of work, regulations, stress with no added bonus regarding the final product/commodity price.
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......we won't be eligible to take part as you have to be part of a Farm Assurance Scheme, which we're not ......it's unlikely that joining any FA scheme will be cost effective. ......
You'll be glad your not part of a QA Scheme - my view is that they are a lot of work, regulations, stress with no added bonus regarding the final product/commodity price.
But if selling through market or direct to slaughter a lot of buyers are only able to buy farm assured beef... Thus by not being farm assured you limit the avenues to sell your stores/finished bullocks through. Depends where your market lies at the end of the day.
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Private sales twizzel - we only have a coulpe of beasts away every year.
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......But if selling through market or direct to slaughter a lot of buyers are only able to buy farm assured beef... Thus by not being farm assured you limit the avenues to sell your stores/finished bullocks through. Depends where your market lies at the end of the day.
Oh I realise this but I know for a fact that there are stock that have gone through mart rings from guys who are not QA and they have gotten the same prices as those who have to go through the rigma of all the QA reg's.
I would also extend my views to growers producing cereals, fruit and veg too - QA is a waste of time financially for them but sadly for both sectors its the only way that they can sell their stuff. IMHO