UK - Dunbia Renew Beltex Lamb Export Scheme Offer

Dunbia has relaunched its export marketing arrangement with Beltex this month offering a bonus of over 30p/kg throughout 2012 on selected lambs destined for top end markets which the processor claims are more sheltered from the current European trading conditions.

 

 

The Beltex and Dunbia Lamb Export Scheme 2012 arrangement is for an all year round supply of up to 1,200 Beltex cross lambs per week for the Belgium marketplace.

 

To be eligible, all lambs must be sired by a registered Beltex ram, finish between 15kg to 21kg deadweight and be sourced from a Farm Assured unit.

The scheme which is open to commercial producers throughout Britain, will pay an attractive bid price on R2 and R3L lambs, with an additional bonus of 20p/kg on U2 and U3L and 30p/kg bonus on the extreme lamb carcass of E2 and E3L.

The arrangement for Dunbia follows on from a pilot scheme launched in November 2011.

 

Sheep farmers producing Beltex cross lambs demonstrated they were able to deliver a high percentage of carcasses within the scheme specification required by Belgian lamb buyers.

Dunbia’s Glynne Jones says: “We are pleased to relaunch our collaborative venture with the Beltex Sheep Society which will provide an opportunity for a year round supply of up to 1,200 Beltex cross lambs per week sourced via a network of field officers and collection centres throughout England, Scotland and north Wales for processing at our Preston plant.

 

We offer a free fieldsman service and haulage can be arranged, we operate an open door policy with MLC weight and grades which can be faxed or e-mailed on day of slaughter and we make prompt payment terms.”

Beltex Sheep Society chairman, Maimie Paterson comments: “We welcome this renewed opportunity, accompanied by an exclusive arrangement, to work with a leading processor which will reward commercial producers using a registered Beltex ram to achieve the premium lambs required by a very specific and expanding top end market, particularly at a time when lamb prices, in general, are coming under pressure.

“We are confident that Dunbia’s attractive offer will not only achieve a positive response from farmers already producing Beltex cross lambs, but also encourage other commercial producers to make a first time purchase of a registered Beltex ram to supply the new arrangement.”

Dunbia’s export sales manager, Michael Dundon comments: “European economic conditions are impacting on demand for lamb this season, in particular from the middle end consumer bracket.

 

However I am confident that Beltex cross lambs will be able to defend themselves better than ordinary standard lamb simply because they are targeted at the quality market – high end butchers and chefs trading with more affluent customers who will remain less affected by the economic downturn.”