Scottish Beef is exporting 100% more beef to Europe this year than in 2021, with demand continuing to grow in Italy, France, the Benelux countries and Germany.
European exchange rates close to Britain and cattle prices are helping to boost demand.
The Netherlands is a new destination this year with potential for further growth and two chains in Italy consider Scotch beef to be the best in class.
A delegation from Italy was waiting to award the Aberdeenshire farmer Ross Brothers von Strichen with an award for the carcass that best met their requirements. Meanwhile, the overall winning carcass came from the Hunter family at Lackenburn Farm in Slamannan.
It was a successful day for John Stanger who travelled from Orkney to pick up the overall reserve championship for a home-bred Charolais cross heifer as well as a first prize for a Limousin steer, and a second prize for an Aberdeen-Angus heifer.
Read: International Protein Trade Newsletter
The winners
- Champion beef carcase, best bred – James R Hunter, Luckenburn Farm, Slamannan reserve champion – J and R Stanger, South Seatter, Yesnaby, Orkney.
- Best Aberdeen-Angus – Andrew Young, Girvan Mains, Ayrshire; best pure-bred Aberdeen-Angus – M&HD Currie, Skewbridge, Mouswald, Dumfries.
- Best Italian carcase – Ross Brothers, Wardhead Farm, Strichen.
- Primestock Carrick shield – Andrew Purdon and Partners, Carluke; reserve Carrick shield – G McFadzean Jnr, Woodhead of Mailer, Perth.
- YLP senior champion – Christie Findlay, Mains of Airleywight, Bankfoot; YLP junior champion – Rowan Donaldson, Redland, Stromness, Orkney.
- Champion lamb carcase – R Hall & Son, Inglewood Edge, Carlisle; Reserve champion – R Templeton and Co, Carslae Farm, Wigtown;
- Champion Blackface – Shawhead Farm, Douglas, Lanark; reserve Blackface – A Smellie, Posso, Manor, Peebles
- Champion native –DS and RC Taylor, Easter Ochtermuthill, Crieff.
- Champion Cheviot – JW Paul and Sons, Ballingall Mill Farm, Leslie, Glenrothes; reserve Cheviot – Malcolm M Stewart, Brotherstone Farm, Melrose.
- YLP senior champion – David Cunningham, Walkerdyke Farm, Strathaven; YLP junior champion – Cameron Baillie, Carstairs Farm, Lanark.
