QMS says cattle and sheep margins improved despite challenge of spring 2013
QMS says cattle and sheep margins improved despite challenge of spring 2013
Most cattle and sheep businesses saw an improvement in their margins during 2013 despite the exceptionally difficult spring weather, according to Quality Meat Scotland’s latest enterprise costings report.
“Cattle and Sheep Enterprise Profitability in Scotland 2014”, launched this week, summarises the results of a survey of Scottish beef and sheep producers during the 2013 calf and lamb crop year. The survey was undertaken by SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College.
“The very challenging weather of spring 2013 impacted heavily on mortality during hill sheep and suckler herds’ lambing and calving and resulted in considerable feed and forage expense for all herds and flocks,” observed Stuart Ashworth, QMS Head of Economics Services. The legacy of the 2012 wet weather conditions also resulted in additional veterinary costs for some during 2013.
“However, market prices for all classes of stock covered by the survey did increase substantially during 2013,” Mr Ashworth added. “Furthermore, the improved weather conditions of the second half of 2013 also meant that animals thrived better than in 2012 and tended to be sold at higher weights. Consequently most businesses saw an improvement in margins.”
Copies of the publication are available free of charge and can be collected from the QMS stand at AgriScot, viewed online at www.qmscotland.co.uk or hard copies can be ordered by calling QMS on 0131-472404.
