VISIONARIES are few and far between these days in the farming industry, so it was again heartening to see the fruits of one man’s enterprise that has become the biggest and best show of carcases in the UK.
The late Ian Galloway, of Scotbeef, not only forged a link with the Scottish National Fatstock Club to host the event, but persuaded quality supermarket, Marks and Spencer, to become its backer. It is testament to his foresight that ‘his show’ – and it was very much ‘his’ – is seen not just as a prizegiving event, but a trend-setter too.
He wanted animals to be judged on what the end product was all about and ‘not what a hairdresser could make them look like’. The result of this endeavour is that producer, processor and retailer – ie farmers, Scotbeef and Marks and Spencer – are part of an integrated supply chain that offers rewards for all in it.
It is something that the milk industry would do well to emulate. That means, less of a stick and more of a carrot.
Like a good bit of beef, income should be able to slice both ways!