Beef and sheep meat processors in Northern Ireland aim to grow turnover by 65% to £1.6bn by 2020, according to a recently published Agri-Food Strategy for the region.

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Securing the first ever Aberdeen-Angus championship at the new Balmoral Show location at the Maze, Balmoral Park, was local breeder James Porter, Ballinderry, Lisburn, with the first prize heifer from the two year old heifer class, junior champion and overall female champion Old Glenort Lavender L251.

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The first Asda/ABP BeefLink steak competition of the 2013 show season was won by a steak from a British Blue sired young bull bred by Larne, Co Antrim-based farmer Robin Arnold.

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Beef calf registrations have dropped by almost 10,000 so far this year on 2012 levels, decreasing 8.3 per cent with Charolais and Limousine calf numbers down, according to the market experts at the Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland.

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Finished first quality steers sold to an average price of 220p/kg liveweight this week with second quality finished steers selling to an average of 200p/kg. Finished first quality heifers sold to an average of 220p/kg with a top reported price of 231p/kg.

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In an outstanding achievement, Milbrook Gingerspice, brought out by Mr William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath, Southern Ireland was crowned Overall Individual Interbeed Supreme Champion for the second year running at the Royal Ulster Show, Belfast.

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Base quotes from the plants this week for U-3 grade prime cattle were 370-374p/kg with similar quotes expected for early next week, write experts at LMCni.

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The number of cows slaughtered in meat plants during the first third of 2013 has totalled 28,157 head. In the same period in 2012 24,932 cows were slaughtered, an increase of 13 per cent year on year.The tight fodder supplies experienced this spring combined with the reports of higher than usual empty rates and relatively good cull cow prices are all likely to have had a role to play in the increased cow throughput and a reduced number of calf registrations.

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The Northern Ireland Assembly is to create a hardship fund for farmers who saw almost 28,500 farm animals die during recent cold weather.

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Northern Ireland's beef industry can profit hugely from the horsemeat scandal if purchasing focuses exclusively on UK-only beef cattle that are backed by full farm assurances, according to its retailers.

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Clogher Valley Blonde D'Aquitaine breeders

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Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has met with Pat O’Rourke, chair of Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) and Ian Stevenson, LMC chief executive to discuss the LMC’s activities in promoting and supporting the red meat sector and their recent advertising campaign to promote the benefits of local Farm Quality Assured Beef.

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Farmers who suffered livestock losses as a result of the snow in March 2013 can expect to receive their 'hardship' payment by the end of June 2013. Details of the proposed £5m scheme were due to be presented to Ministers on the Stormont Executive today (Thursday) by Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill. To date, 43,558 sheep and 1,142 cattle have been collected off farms in snow affected areas in NI.

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Renewed interest in traditional beef breeds in Northern Ireland (NI) has seen increased numbers of cattle being slaughtered through premium price schemes.

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April prime cattle throughput rose 8.8 per cent from April 2012 and cull cows rocketed 15 per cent year on year with subsequent effects on supply in the coming weeks, says Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland.

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FANE Valley Co-operative Society and Markethill Livestock Sales Ltd have confirmed that they are to collaborate to enhance the delivery of livestock sales services in Co Armagh.

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Finished first quality steers sold to an average of 224p/kg liveweight across the marts this week with second quality finished steers selling to an average of 200p/kg.

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In recent times, there has been a renewed interest in traditional breeds such as the Aberdeen Angus and Hereford on the back of bonus schemes currently in operation across the major plants in Northern Ireland.

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Linden Foods, one of the UK’s leading fresh meat processors, has developed a new Irish Hereford burger now available across all Lidl stores in Northern Ireland in time for the summer barbeque season.

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Steers and Heifers in Northern Ireland were up 2p/kg last week which, with 8 p/kg bonuses, suggests farmers should be looking for prices higher than those quoted, say the Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland.

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Allan and Deirdre Wilkinson established the Springfield Herd over 20 years ago, with Allan now a very well respected judge of British Blue Cattle throughout the UK.

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A number of meat plants in Northern Ireland have upped their penalties for non-farm quality assured cattle this week and are also applying sharp deductions for cattle over 30 months and young bulls over 16 months.

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Despite the bonus incentive of 8 p/kg, fewer steers and heifers are coming in under 30 months of age meaning further problems with a 10p/kg penalty, according to Livestock and Meat Commission which says cost and quality of cereals is having an effect on finishing.

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Estimates put the cost per case at around £130 per cow to cover treatment, fall in milk production, increased culling and, of course, a delay in getting that cow in calf again! In Northern Ireland the average calving index is 425 days, which means that with a 280 day pregnancy it takes 145 days to get cows back in calf.

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Randalstown farmer Thomas Smyth specialises in lambing ewe lambs to sell on with lambs at foot as flock replacements.

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THE voluntary phase of a Northern Irish BVD eradication programme became available on 1 st January 2013.

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Processors and retailers agree that Northern Ireland’s beef industry can profit hugely from the horsemeat scandal if purchasing focusses exclusively on high provenance, UK-only, beef cattle that are backed by full farm assurance – and sales promotion of their beef emphasises these qualifications.

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TRADE PEAKED at 4400gns at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club's show and sale at Ballymena Livestock Mart, last week, when the supreme champion, Crosskeys Gomesy from C and K Marshall, Ballymena, Co Antrim, was bought by C Maxwell, Downpatrick, Co Down.

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Renewed interest in food safety and provenance has resulted in greater awareness of the Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS).

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Dunbia, one of Europe’s leading food companies has today announced that Lord Brian Mawhinney has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of the Group Board.

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Environmental best practice is now high on the list of every Northern Irish food processor looking to do business with major British supermarkets and foodservice companies.

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FISHERIES Minister Michelle O’Neill has officially opened the new £300,000 fish market and refurbished ice-plant facility in Ardglass.

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After 117 years at its south Belfast site, the RUAS annual show will begin a new chapter in its 159 year history at new Showgrounds just down the M1 motorway

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The Northern Ireland Guild of Agricultural Journalists visited Balmoral Park, the new home to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society.

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Devenish Nutrition, the agri-technology company headquartered in Belfast, has taken another significant stride into the GB market with the acquisition of Hi Peak Feeds Ltd, the leading multi-species specialist organic feed manufacturer based near Sheffield.

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The scale of the devastation of the severe snow storms that hit Northern Ireland in late March is now materialising.

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BOVINE Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) is one of the most economically important viral diseases of cattle in Northern Ireland, causing losses due to a range of reproductive problems, weakened immunity leading to scours and pneumonias and deaths.

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Linden Foods, one of the UK’s leading fresh meat manufacturers walked away with two prestigious awards at the recent Belfast Telegraph 2013 Business Awards.

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The Chancellor is the ceremonial figurehead of the University, and may participate in conferring degrees at graduations as well as acting in an ambassadorial capacity for the institution, nationally and internationally.

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A 71-year-old man has died in a farming accident in County Londonderry.

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Small or medium-sized food and drink manufacturing companies in the border region of Ireland, Northern Ireland and western Scotland have an opportunity to grow export sales and enhance their marketing with assistance of a €2.2m programme funded by EU INTERREG IVA.

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A steady trade for finished cattle across the marts saw finished first quality steers sell to an average of 217p/kg liveweight with second quality selling to an average of 193p/kg.

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The top price of 4,400gns went to the day’s supreme champion Crosskeys Gomesy from C and K Marshall, Ballymena, County Antrim. This 19 month old by Bassett Judge and out of a homebred dam was purchased by C Maxwell, Downpatrick, County Down.

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The EU Deadweight Cattle prices league table ranks 17 EU countries in terms of the farmgate price paid for R3 grade heifers.

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Linden Foods, one of the UK’s leading red meat suppliers to many leading retail and food service customers, has for the first time expanded the Linden Livestock Programme to include Hereford Beef to meet increasing demand for the product.

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WITH the spotlight suddenly on native beef breeds for supplying retailers’ premium brands, there is an opportunity for dairy farmers to cash in.

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Beef classification has suffered in the first months of this year when compared with the corresponding period in 2012, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission.

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Northern Ireland poultry business Moy Park is taking responsibility for the leadership and management of all of its Brazilian owner's operations in Europe, as part of a major reorganisation of the Marfrig Group.

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Greater numbers were sold on a bouyant market last week as a 21 per cent lift in throughput meant 6,768 head sold at prices up 2p/kg on the previous week.

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THE upcoming BLCS show and sale is packed full with a quality line-up as an entry of 90 bulls and 38 females are set to head for Ballymena Mart on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May.

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Despite the bonus incentive of 8 p/kg, fewer steers and heifers are coming in under 30 months of age meaning further problems with a 10p/kg penalty, according to Livestock and Meat Commission which says cost and quality of cereals is having an effect on finishing.

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A packed yard of over 1000 sheep sold to a strong trade at Monday night’s sale. Top prices:

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Embarking on a unique and completely different challenge, Moy Park’s Chief Executive, Nigel Dunlop, and Group Finance and IT Director, Janet McCollum, will join a group of fellow food industry leaders to raise funds for Farm Africa’s ‘Food for Good’ campaign.

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THE number of cattle slaughtered because of TB has risen again this month bringing the total number of cattle culled to 186,664 (from January 2008 – Jan 2013 in Great Britain).

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THE Northern Ireland Charolais Club are delighted to announce a three year deal with H2 Engineering who have agreed to sponsor the Charolais Championship (NI) following a very successful pilot last year when H2 came on board as a new sponsor in the world of pedigree beef cattle.

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Moy Park, leading processor of fresh, locally farmed chicken in the UK and part of Marfrig Group, had a reason to celebrate after taking home the prestigious ‘Environmental Initiative of the Year Award’ at the Meat Trades Journal ‘Meat & Poultry Processing Awards 2013.’

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McDonald's is to source all the pork for its UK menu from British farms that meet strict animal welfare criteria, it has announced.

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WESTMINSTER Rural Affairs Minister David Heath visited Northern Ireland earlier this week and, courtesy of a press conference co hosted by MEP Diane Dodds, promptly declared that he was pro farming in outlook and supported the expansion of production agriculture throughout the UK.

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AGRICULTURE and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill was the guest speaker at a public meeting on Wednesday evening in Hilltown to discuss a number of rural issues.

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TOP prices were a feature of the Charolais breed in 2013 with five club sales topping the bidding at 8,800 gns, the recent AGM of the NI Charolais Club was told.

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