BACK IN August I talked about the volatility in the beef price that has historically taken place on a Friday or a Monday morning.

I am sure I had no influence whatsoever for stabilising those ups and downs, yet since August 17, until this week, is the longest period I can find since ‘Dorrell Day’ back in March, 1996, that we have had a stable prime cattle value – 14 weeks with no movement up or down.

It has certainly brought much stability into the finishing sector, with cattle going to abattoirs when they are ready, instead of producers trying to play the market when it is rising or falling, particularly if it is by more than 2p per kg, which has happened in the past.

I am sure it has also been of benefit to the meat wholesale businesses who trade with a wide range of customers. The same can be said for the butcher trade over the counter, where the ultimate customers buy their meat in all its forms.

I was in London the other day visiting several butchers’ shops where the various uses and ways in which meat was being sold were, to say the least, innovative.

The equally good news was that there were several Scottish butchers shops receiving awards at the Q-Guild lunch, including those from Airdrie and Falkirk who purchase our beef, which, hopefully, tells us that we are doing something right with our quality beef.

This leads me on to QMS. It is not often I disagree with my colleague and scribe, Jim Walker. In fact, we are both renowned for not being afraid to put our heads above the parapet when necessary.

Jim’s last attack on QMS I have to say was largely unjustified. There are times when we can be critical of certain organisations, but as far as QMS levies are concerned, I agree with the increase – and that’s speaking as a contributor of several thousands of pounds to their funds every year.

I also have every confidence in the board of directors, many of whom are astute business people, who I am sure, have and are, keeping under review how the money is used on our behalf.

I also attended one of the road shows where we had three excellent short presentations going into the detail of what QMS was doing for the red meat industry, followed by an hour and a half of questions and discussion which was equally informative.

The only thing wrong was the small attendance, which I understand has been about the same on most nights. Now my experience of that situation, from my milk board days, is clear – small turnouts at meetings gave a clear message that we were doing something right. If the room was packed, you could be sure there was trouble in store.

By the time you read these comments, AgriScot will have had a successful event with, I am sure, a large audience. The free car park and entry certainly is an attraction that draws people through the doors. It is then up to the firms who pay the stand space to make the most of those attending in order to justify their costs.

I have not heard what dairy cow numbers are like, but expect a smaller turnout considering the plight of the sector where the cost of production is not being recovered from the market.

Adding fuel to the fire was the reduction by First Milk of 0.65p per litre at the beginning of the month, especially when all the world indicators were showing that a rise in returns was more likely.

The last time we saw that happening was at Dairy Farmers of Britain and we all know the outcome of that sorry mess.

Next week will be the Royal Highland Winter Fair where I am sure there will be a large turnout of both beef and sheep. The number of visitors attending could be a little different, in spite of the fact that the beef sector is the largest in Scotland.

The merging of these two events is something I have commented on previously, but I suppose I’ll keep attending both until either I cannot, or there is only one!

At least I shall enjoy the chat with both old and new within our industry, as it is relatively easy for me to attend.

At home, we have been into our winter routine now for some weeks with some 600 head housed on their usual diet. We started in October with empty slurry stores which means we can go right through to April, when we will repeat this year’s spring programme that worked well.

October spoiled me for choice at the store sales. It is a great pity store sellers could not spread their marketing a little bit better because, as a finisher, my customers want beef every week of the year.

The more suckler cows that move to spring calving the greater the difficulty it is going to be to supply prime beef 52 weeks of the year.

I am regularly asked my views on how CAP reform should change post 2013. As we all know the Pack Enquiry, commissioned by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead, has had many submissions.

In truth, those submitted by NFU Scotland and the SBCA cover every area that needs attention. How Brian will incorporate them in his report, only time will tell.

My views on the subject have been very clear for a long time. No support, no primary food production. I also agree with Richard Lochhead that support has to go to active food producers.

The last reforms that came in to place in 2005 in the form of SFP have clearly demonstrated what several of us predicted, in that primary food production would decline. That situation needs to be reversed come 2013.

How that is dressed up by the commission is another challenge, particularly when it is its desire to reduce direct production support.

I think it is time for some straight talking to those so-called faceless people in Brussels. Is that a job for our three very good MEPs – Alyn Smith, George Lyon and Struan Stevenson?

Gentlemen, drop your party politics and let us see how persuasive you can be at installing some common sense into how the CAP should work post-2013. We are being told that the power is now in your hands, so let us see successful results!